In just one year, Sigma Chis donated $489,114.59 toward research efforts at the organization's preferred philanthropy, Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) in Salt Lake City. The figure is roughly one-third of the Fraternity's lifetime giving to HCI, with which it partnered in 2005.
While colleges and universities were in session during 2013, undergraduates used the “Derby Challenge,” an online giving website, to fundraise for HCI as part of Derby Days, a philanthropic event. Chapters encouraged friends and family to donate through the site, as did many members of women's fraternities and sororities on campuses where the Fraternity has a presence. Some believe the popularity of the website helped lead to the overall fundraising success.
Chapters have also relied on sponsorships from corporations, band parties and sales of special sweaters during Derby Days to raise money for charity, some of which is donated to HCI. It is not uncommon for chapters to raise thousands of dollars during Derby Days.
Regardless, the record 2013 donation illustrates that Sigs are passionate about fundraising for HCI. Sigma Chi's lifetime giving amount to HCI is $1,450,953.56; in 2012, Fraternity members donated $158,753.78 to the institute.
