Professional Development / Endowment Committee

The endowment committee and resource development committee have merged. For committee membership, read the resource development committee information.

Professional Development / Endowment Campaign

Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP) is a significant contributor to the professional improvement of Extension Personnel. ESP awarded over $143,000 in grants to 160 Extension faculty and staff for professional development. ESP depends upon the generous support of its members and non-members to continue offer these grants.

Contributions:

• Support public education
• Provide a lasting legacy
• Make a difference

How to contribute the Endowment Fund

• Methods of giving
• Making a donation
• Consider joining Alpha Sigma Circle
• "The Evergreens"

Supporting public education

As society becomes more complex, Extension educators must continuously enhance their skills to remain effective. Professional growth and development are crucial to meeting communities’ educational needs. Yet institutional support for professional development is shrinking as governmental budgets become tighter. Epsilon Sigma Phi, an honorary and educational Extension fraternity, is dedicated to fostering professional excellence within the Extension System.

A lasting legacy

An investment in professional development is an investment in the future of public education. A donation to the Epsilon Sigma Phi Endowment Campaign keeps Extension educators in the forefront of our society’s changing educational needs. Future generations will benefit from the investments we make today.

Making a difference

Donations to the Endowment Fund are used to help Extension faculty and staff grow through opportunities such as advanced degrees, professional certifications, study leaves, research and special projects. All projects funded through the endowment will have the same goal - to strengthen the ability of Extension educators to make a difference in peoples’ lives in the communities where they live and work. More information on the Grants Committee is available online.

Methods of giving

There are many ways to contribute to the Epsilon Sigma Phi Professional Development Endowment Campaign. Whichever you choose, you can be sure your gift will make a difference for Extension and the people of Wisconsin.

Making a donation

Donations can be made via

• One time gift in your own name. Make a gift online. You will be redirected to the SECURE University of Wisconsin Foundation website to make an online donation. Please select "UW-Extension - Epsilon Sigma Phi" from the drop down menu.
• Payroll deduction in your own name. Please contact the UW-Extension Payroll office for more information.
• Cash gift recognizing a stepping stone in a colleague’s career or life
• Cash gift in memoriam for a colleague who has died
• Including a bequest to ESP in your will
• Establishing a life insurance policy with ESP as the beneficiary
• A gift of stocks or bonds to ESP
• Establishing a private annuity with ESP through the UW Foundation
• Other estate planning and tax sheltering strategies on which the UW Foundation can advise you

Your contribution is recognized on the "The Evergreens"

Join Alpha Sigma Circle

Consider joining the Alpha Sigma Circle with an annual contribution of $100 or more. Alpha Sigma Circle members will play a vital role in ensuring the continuation and expansion of the professional improvement grants. Alpha Sigma Circle members will be pleased to know that they are part of the success of Cooperative Extension in Wisconsin.

• Alpha Sigma Circle Flyer w/ Registration (1 page, 224 KB)

Epsilon Sigma Phi:

The Evergreens

"The Evergreens" sculpture, displayed prominently outside the Gale VandeBerg auditorium at the Pyle Center on the UW - Madison campus, commemorates on-going donations to the Epsilon Sigma Phi Endowment Fund that provides scholarships to enhance the knowledge and skills of University Extension faculty and staff as they reach out with education to people of Wisconsin, the nation and world. Epsilon Sigma Phi is an honorary educational fraternity of actively employed and retired Extension professionals.

Gifts to the Endowment are recognized on "The Evergreens" at the following levels:

1. $50,000 or more
   Named award
   Individual plaque
   Gold Stone
2. $25,000 - $49,999
   Named award
   Individual plaque
   Silver Stone
3. $12,500 - $24,999
   Named award
   Individual plaque
   Copper Stone
4. Your name on The Evergreens Pine Cones
   • Golden: $5000 - $9999
   • Crown: $2500 - $4999
   • Contributor: $1000 - $2499
5. Your name on The Evergreens Leaves
   • Gold: $500 - $999
   • Silver: $250 - $499
   • Copper: $50 - $249

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