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.

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Our Programs

  • Scholarship Program
  • Kappa League Mentorship Program
  • Corporate Partners Program
  • Community Initiatives

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Leadership

The Executive Officers and Board of Directors of the Kappa Foundation are comprised of business professionals, educators, and academic administrators who want to increase the number of college graduates in the communities served by the Kappa Foundation and support community initiatives. 

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Events

The Kappa Foundation holds events anually to enhance our efforts to provide scholarships to deserving students and to showcase scholarship recipients. 

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Kappa Foundation Programs

Scholarship Program

Since its inception, the Ann Arbor–Ypsilanti–Inkster Alumni Chapter and the Kappa Foundation have awarded more than $426,000 in scholarships to deserving students. These awards are open to male and female students from Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Inkster, and surrounding communities such as Canton, Salem, and Plymouth. In 2025, the Foundation granted $1,000 scholarships to twenty-six exceptional students. Funding for these scholarships is generated through fundraising campaigns, corporate and individual contributions, and chapter events—including the Kappa Foundation’s signature Women of Achievement celebration and the DAPS Golf Tournament.  Click here to view a list of scholarship recipients from 2017-2025.

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 2025, thanks to generous contributions from our corporate partners, the Foundation distributed $27,000 in scholarships. In 2024, we awarded $27,000 in scholarships to students and to support youth and community programs. Our goal for 2026 is to raise $30,000 for scholarships and local 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

 

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. 

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

Email

info@aayikf.org

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 ©2026 The Kappa Foundation