Sorority and fraternity organizations are known for their philanthropic and service values within local and national communities. Over the last five years, our members have completed over 400,000 hours of service and raised over $2,700,000 toward local and national charitable organizations. It is common to see chapter members partner up to help local Knoxville organizations like Keep Knoxville Beautiful and KARM on the weekends!

Donating time and raising funds are one aspect of service-driven membership, so chapters continuously raise awareness for causes that resonate with their members and chapter. For example, our Phi Gamma Delta chapter raised over $25,000 in a semester for the Testicular Cancer Society after one of their brothers was diagnosed with stage 3-C testicular cancer. Meanwhile, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. collects backpacks and school supplies each year to donate to local schools’ students who need materials to have a successful year focused on learning.

Circle of Sisterhood

The Circle of Sisterhood Foundation is dedicated to uplifting women and girls from poverty by breaking down barriers to education worldwide. By engaging sorority women across the country, the Foundation collaborates on global humanitarian efforts to fund school construction and provide grants to nonprofits that support girls’ education.

At the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the Panhellenic Council has been a passionate advocate and supporter of the Foundation since its inception. Through various fundraisers and campaigns, the Council has successfully funded the construction of two schools—one in Haiti and another in Senegal—and has awarded three $10,000 grants to nonprofits like Exodus Refugee International.

In 2024, the Council raised $36,365.07 for the Circle of Sisterhood. For 2025, Panhellenic expects to raise over $50,000 through their annual Sisterhood Showcase fundraiser! The Council has also completed its fundraising for the 2026 Trek, where students will be able to travel to a new school-build as a service trip, and is now focusing on enhancing the overall experience of the trip and the Foundation through scholarships and grants.

In recent years, the Council’s fundraising efforts with Circle of Sisterhood enabled the creation of grants to send several girls to school in Afghanistan. The UTK Panhellenic Council is the top donor to the Circle of Sisterhood in the country.

Partnerships & Initiatives