BRDZALUMS.ORG >>PHILANTHROPY

Delta Zeta Foundation
The mission of the Delta Zeta Foundation is to advance the Sorority's educational and philanthropic purposes through the development of financial and human resources in support of the Sorority's leadership, scholarship, philanthropic and educational programs.

The Delta Zeta Foundation is a non-profit, tax exempt 501©3 organization which exists to make possible gifts and scholarships in support of the educational, leadership, scholastic and philanthropic programs of the Sorority.  The work of the Foundation is provided for by gifts from alumnae, collegians, friends and family, Foundation fundraising and investment income.

Our national philanthropy, supported by both collegiate and alumnae chapters, is speech and hearing and The Painted Turtle camp.  Delta Zeta's partnerships with and The Painted Turtle and The Starkey Hearing Foundation were announced at the 2006 National Convention.  All of these important programs provide additional volunteer and giving opportunities for collegiate and alumnae members.

Delta Zeta has a philanthropic partnership with the Sound Beginnings Program.  Chapters also support local and national speech and hearing organizations, such as Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., the only four-year liberal arts school in the world devoted wholly to the needs, instruction, and training of young people who are deaf, and the House Ear Institute, which is one of the world's foremost research, teaching, and treatment centers in the field of hearing.

The Painted Turtle

Mission and Organization
The Painted Turtle's mission is to provide a year-round, life-changing environment and authentic camp experience for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses.  The Painted Turtle supports children's medical needs, inspires them to reach beyond their illnesses, and provides care, education, and respite for their families.  The Painted Turtle has no billing department.  All campers and families attend free of charge. 

Delta Zeta adopted The Painted Turtle as its newest national philanthropy at the 2006 National Convention.
 
History & Facility
Prior to opening, The Painted Turtle collaborated with the California Children's Health Foundation and the Center for Child Health Outcomes on an assessment to determine the need for a medical specialty camp in California.  The assessment confirmed that there were thousands of children in California with chronic illnesses who did not have access to a camp due to their medical conditions.

• In April 2002, The Painted Turtle broke ground.
• In May 2004, The Painted Turtle welcomed its first campers.
• The Painted Turtle is a 173 acre facility in Lake Hughes, California, designed with a theme of an organic farm.  The entire camp can be used year-round, and every building and program area is universally accessible.

Program Areas
Boating & Fishing
Aquatics
Fun and Games
Ropes/Challenge Adventure Course
Equestrian
Creative Arts
Nature and Discovery
Archery

The Children We Serve
The Painted Turtle welcomes children from all ethnic, racial, and socio-economic backgrounds.
A full-time camper recruiter works with the Medical Director, Founding Hospitals, medical centers and clinics, and volunteer health organizations to identify qualified campers.