About DREF
Creating Possibilities & Improving Lives
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. established the Delta Research and Educational Foundation (DREF) as a public charity supporting scholastic achievement, public service programs, and research initiatives focused upon African American women.
Today, DREF remains strong, vibrant, and poised to meet 21st-century challenges with the same unwavering spirit and dedication the Sorority originally envisioned. Our charge to realize social and economic equality for future generations of African American women continues as our guiding principle.
Values-based Philanthropy
Over the years, Delta Research and Educational Foundation has directed its charitable giving to program initiatives reflected in our founding mission. Whether Delta-inspired national collaborations, or local Delta chapter initiatives; each program grant addresses our values-based objective to find sustainable solutions that increase economic opportunity, and create boundless possibilities for African American women, now and into the future.
We carry out our mission through:
- Fund development,
- Grant-making and program partnerships,
- Charitable giving services for local Delta chapters,
- Community-based project support, and
- Research and public dialogue on socioeconomic policy issues.
Partnerships for Change
Through partnerships, DREF maximizes the effectiveness of its financial resources, while heightening community awareness, and offering life-changing experiences to the people we serve. Our resource-leveraging strategy not only expands our programmatic reach but also broadens the base of concern and involvement on issues affecting the lives of African American women, our families, and our communities.
Our Living Legacy
The Delta Research and Educational Foundation’s Center for Research on African American Women holds the distinction of being the first-of-its-kind repository of information about the social and economic characteristics of African American women. Established in 1997, and co-sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., The Center examines the complex factors influencing African American women’s lives. Research findings are released during The Center’s Annual Forum or published in The Center’s scholarly journal. The Center’s Fellowship program contributes to the vitality and timeliness of its work and ensures that focused research on issues affecting African American women continues uninterrupted.
Support the Vision
The Delta Research and Educational Foundation needs you. As African American women leaders, the lives we change become part of our individual and collective legacy.
When you give, you are investing in the research we conduct, and the programs we support. You are investing in stronger families and communities. You are investing in African American women claiming our place in the world community. By investing, you validate the vision that the power of sisterhood can create possibilities and improve lives. Please join us. We want to count you among our donors who choose to bequeath a legacy of service.