Celebrating Our Partnership: JED Visits Kappa Kappa Gamma Headquarters

On Sept. 17, The Jed Foundation (JED) visited Kappa Kappa Gamma Headquarters in Dublin, Ohio, marking a significant moment in a partnership that has thrived since 2021. 

JED set out to Dublin with intentions to express gratitude for Kappa’s unwavering support and explore new ways to collaborate to benefit Kappa’s collegiate members, alumnae, volunteers, and staff. During the visit, Dr. Thea Zunick, Director of Community Giving at JED, and Adee Shepen, JED’s Chief Growth Officer, had the opportunity to meet with members of Kappa’s educational, executive, finance, and philanthropy teams. 

The face-to-face time strengthened relationships and resulted in new ways JED will support Kappa, including:

• Integrating JED’s educational materials, such as trainings and Mental Health Resource Center content into Kappa’s new-member orientation and continuing-education programs. By providing resources that promote emotional health and well-being, JED supports Kappa members in thriving both personally and academically.
• Ensuring chapter advisers and volunteers have the tools they need to foster a culture of care within their chapters, such as information about how to spot when a student is in distress, where and when to refer a student to professional care, and how to find resources to support students.

JED and Kappa also discussed new avenues for the organization to support JED’s lifesaving work. Since 2021, Kappa has shifted its philanthropic program to focus on advocating for mental health and well-being through fundraising and service. Kappa members have the opportunity to choose which philanthropic partners they wish to support each year, and we are honored to be among them alongside Active Minds, Mental Health America, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the National Eating Disorders Association, and Jack.org.

The impact of Kappa’s philanthropy is far-reaching. Chapters of Kappa Kappa Gamma have held various creative events to support JED, including the Sapphire Ball hosted by Theta Delta Chapter at Seton Hall University and a First Friday fundraiser hosted by Epsilon Mu Chapter at Clemson University that raised nearly $10,000. More recently, Epsilon Kappa Chapter at the University of South Carolina held its second annual Neon Nights fundraiser and raised over $50,000. These initiatives provide crucial financial support for JED and raise awareness about mental health on campus, fostering a culture of understanding and empathy among students.

JED is immensely grateful for Kappa members’ dedication to being mental health champions and for the opportunity to visit the organization’s headquarters for the first time. Our partnership is a testament to the power of collaboration in promoting emotional health and preventing suicide on college campuses nationwide. Together, we can inspire change and foster a culture of care that extends far beyond our organizations. 

Learn more about Kappa Kappa Gamma’s philanthropic efforts and JED’s work with fraternities and sororities.