About Us

DMEF HISTORY

The Delta Memorial Endowment Fund, Inc. is an organization with a solid foundation and plans for a lifetime of giving to deserving local students and community organizations with a 501 (c)(3) status.

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The idea of an endowment fund began in 1979 when Dorothy Nelle Sanders suggested a visionary method of “giving for a lifetime.” The approval from members of the Milwaukee Alumnae Chapter and the Grand Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. set in motion establishing such a fund. Five others, Venora McKinney, Drucilla Pasley, Emma Williams, Rogercarole Rogers and Dinah Gant joined Mrs. Sanders and began working diligently with legal counsel and others. In 1980, the Delta Memorial Endowment Fund, Inc. (DMEF) was incorporated in the State of Wisconsin as a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization exclusively for charitable, literary and educational purposes. The charter was signed by then Secretary of State, Vel Phillips, also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Previously, under the guidance of the Milwaukee Alumnae Chapter from 1977 through 1979, the Annual Literary Luncheon has served as the major fundraiser for DMEF, a fully tax exempt organization, since 1980. To date, DMEF in partnership with the Milwaukee Alumnae Chapter has provided approximately $300,000 to the Milwaukee Alumnae Chapter for scholarship awards and college-readiness activities.  In addition, DMEF has contributed approximately $70,000 to various community organizations.