The Kappa Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization designed to promote education and community service in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Inkster and surrounding communities.
Our Programs
- Scholarship Program
- Kappa League Mentorship Program
- Corporate Partners Program
- Community Initiatives
Events
The Kappa Foundation holds events anually to enhance our efforts to provide scholarships to deserving students and to showcase scholarship recipients.
Kappa Foundation Programs
Scholarship Program
The Kappa Foundation awards scholarships to students based on their high school achievements while recognizing applicants’ unique needs. Since the program’s inception, the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti-Inkster Alumni Chapter and the Kappa Foundation have awarded over $400,000 in scholarships. These scholarships are available to male and female students from Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Inkster, and surrounding areas, including Canton, Salem, and Plymouth. In 2024 the Foundation will award $1,000 scholarships to twenty-six outstanding students. The funds for these scholarships are raised through fund drives, corporate and individual donations, and chapter events, including the Kappa Foundation’s signature event, “Women of Achievement.”
Kappa League Mentorship Program
In addition to numerous other programs, the Kappa Foundation supports the AAYI Chapter’s commitment to its Kappa Leaguers. Kappa League recruits primarily African American high school males during their freshman to junior years and maintains an annual membership of approximately 30 young men. The program is structured with activities throughout the year built around formal business meetings where Kappa Leaguers plan club-like activities in several areas, including community service; college and career planning, leadership development, and special events.
Each year mentors from the AAYI Alumni Chapter host workshops to provide increased exposure for the short and long-term development of young men. Workshops cover topics such as conflict resolution, planning, management and organization, interviewing skills, college readiness and family financial planning, values, and leadership styles
Corporate Partners Program (CPP)
The AAYI Kappa Foundation’s Corporate Partners Program (CPP) was established in 2020, shortly after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary purpose of CPP is to raise donations to support the Foundation’s scholarship program and to fund worthy causes within the community. In 2024, thanks to generous contributions from our corporate partners, the Foundation distributed $26,000 in scholarships. Similarly, in 2023, we awarded $27,000 in scholarships to students and to support youth and community programs. Our goal for 2025 is to raise $20,000 for scholarships and other impactful community initiatives.
The Kappa Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, and all donations to the Corporate Partners Program are fully tax-deductible.
We are seeking corporate partners to join us in our mission to make a difference. If you are interested in becoming a part of the Corporate Partners Program, please contact the AAYI Kappa Foundation at the name and number listed below.
Darrell Washington, Kappa Foundation Board of Directors
Email: darrellw@umich.edu
Cell: 734-845-2721
Current Corporate Partners
- Zingerman’s Community Giving of Ann Arbor
- Weber’s Inn and Restaurant of Ann Arbor
- Bank of Ann Arbor
- The University of Michigan Credit Union
Major Platinum Corporate Partner
- CNS Healthcare (click to view website)
Community Initiatives
The Kappa Foundation has been involved in many community programs and activities over the years. More recently, the foundation joined forces with Zingerman’s Community Giving in support of the University of Michigan’s Health Care Heroes effort during the Covid19 pandemic. In 2021 the foundation provided backpacks for educational purposes to students at Holmes Elementary School in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The foundation has provided disaster relief for local communities and supported other charitable causes permissible under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Make a Donation Now!
The Kappa Foundation awards scholarships to students based on high school achievement while also acknowledging the special needs of applicants.
We appreciate your donations towards these efforts.
Online Donations
Please click the “Donate” button to the left to make your online donations via PayPal or credit card.
Mail In Donations
- To make a donation by check, please make check payable to The Kappa Foundation c/o Sherman Taylor, 23800 West Ten Mile Road, Suite 210, Southfield, MI 48033. Phone: (248) 228-3145 or Email: sttscs@gmail.com.
Cash App Donations
- Go to CASH.APP in your web browser to access the Cash application online
- Sign into your Cash App account. Or create an account if you don’t have one
- Click New at the bottom of the page
- Enter $ amount of donation
- Enter the following ID in the “to” field: $A2Kappafoundation
- Enter reason for payment in the “for” field
- Click Pay
- You may also pay via Cash App on your mobile phone
Contact Us
Please contact The Kappa Foundation for inquiries or more information.
Address
23800 West 10 Mile Road Southfield, MI 48033
Phone
734 845-2721
info@aayikf.org
©2023 The Kappa Foundation