Winding Ivy Community Development Foundation History
In 2018, Epsilon Epsilon Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated awarded over $20,000 in scholarships to female high school seniors and to its Reading Is Fundament Project (RIF). Due to the amount of funds raised, Epsilon Epsilon Omega chapter started the process to establish a foundation that would be a separate nonprofit entity that would sponsor fundraising events and receive donations for scholarships and other endeavors that would benefit the communities it serves.
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The Winding Ivy Community Development Foundation, Inc., which is an Illinois not-for-profit corporation that is registered with the Illinois Attorney General, applied for tax exempt 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS.
On January 4, 2021, the first planning meeting was held to establish the Winding Ivy Community Development Foundation. Members in attendance were: Shayla Maatuka, Tameka Tanner, JoAnn Archey, Patricia McKinney Lewis, Asia Fuller Hamilton, Jolynn Caroline, Ty’Kira Dubose, Nameka Bates, and Tia Butler. Members Tameka Tanner and Shayla Maatuka served as the co-chairs of the meetings. Members Tameka Tanner and Shayla Maatuka also attended workshops on how to establish a foundation by implementing guidelines approved by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
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On April 4, 2021, The Winding Ivy Community Development Foundation, Inc. 501 (c)(3), nonprofit status was approved by the IRS.
Endowment History
The Winding Ivy Foundation Endowment was established March 2024. The endowment will generate funds from investments for scholarships in perpetuity.
Annual 5K Race
Since 1960, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Epsilon Epsilon Omega chapter has sponsored events to raise money for scholarships. On June 4, 2022, Epsilon Epsilon Omega hosted our inaugural 5K Walk/Fun Run at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois in partnership with the Winding Ivy Community Development Foundation Inc., our newly established foundation. All of the proceeds from the 5K Walk/Fun Run provided scholarships to our future leaders.