Divine Nine Launched United Way Fundraiser

The annual fundraising challenge invites leadership-level gifts from members to support the St. Louis community.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Philanthropy

Isometric editorial illustration of a stone plinth, bronze relief plaque, and concrete tiers, representing a structured philanthropic fundraising initiative. — The National Pan-Hellenic Council has launched its annual fundraising challenge for the St. Louis United Way, seeking leadership-level donations through year-end. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Members of Divine Nine fraternities and sororities have officially launched their annual fundraising challenge to benefit the United Way. This initiative encourages participants to make leadership-level contributions through the end of the year.

Why it matters

The campaign aims to boost total contributions to the United Way Community Campaign by extending the fundraising window. This effort leverages the collective reach of the National Pan-Hellenic Council to drive local philanthropic support.

In 2025, the challenge raised over $264,000, including individual contributions of $70,236 from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and $57,367 from Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.

The players

National Pan-Hellenic Council

This collaborative organization consists of nine historically Black fraternities and sororities dedicated to community service.

Charmaine Chapman Society

This organization serves as the coordinating body for the fundraising challenge within the United Way Community Campaign.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

This is a member organization of the National Pan-Hellenic Council that participated in the previous year fundraising efforts.

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.

This is a member organization of the National Pan-Hellenic Council that participated in the previous year fundraising efforts.

The details

The initiative is coordinated by the Charmaine Chapman Society, which currently includes more than 400 total members. Within that group, 117 members belong to Divine Nine organizations, and participants are required to provide a minimum donation of $1,000 to qualify as leadership-level gifts.

Participants pledged over $264,000 during the 2025 calendar year.
The 2026 fundraising challenge will conclude on December 31.

Market Landscape

The Divine Nine challenge follows the structural precedent set by the United Way Community Campaign by utilizing organized donor tiers to maximize year-end contributions. This initiative positions participating sororities and fraternities as key philanthropic pillars in the competitive St. Louis charity sector.

Community members interested in participating must be prepared to commit a minimum donation of $1,000 to qualify for leadership-level recognition. Donors have until the end of the year to complete their pledges, which directly impacts the total funds available for local community services.

The takeaway

Participating in structured organizational giving can amplify the individual impact of charitable donations. By aligning with peer organizations, donors help ensure consistent funding levels throughout the end of the calendar year.