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Executive Summary
At the request of the Mississippi Beta alumnae leadership, Pennington & Company
conducted a pre-campaign feasibility study to determine the potential for a capital
campaign to fund the renovation and expansion of the Mississippi Beta chapter house.
From February through June 2019, 73 alumnae were interviewed about their sorority
experience, the undergraduates, the proposed project, and a potential $3,000,000 capital
campaign to support the renovation and expansion of the chapter house.
When asked to describe their basic attitude toward the Mississippi Beta Chapter, alumnae
felt positive about their Pi Beta Phi experience. Alumnae cited numerous lifelong
friendships, networking opportunities, leadership skills, a sense of community, a support
system, and strong sisterhood as reasons for their positive attitude. A 2010s alumna said,
"Pi Phi gave me lifelong friendships but also fostered an atmosphere for intellectual
growth. The organization pushed me to be my best self." A 1960s alumna summed up the
feelings of many alumnae well, saying, "Pi Phi gave me so much like a wonderful group
of friends that were my support system to share campus life with."
Alumnae were asked about the project's importance to the chapter's future. Ninety-eight
percent of interviewees feel the project is either "Very Important" or "Important" to Pi
Beta Phi's continued success. Of those who stated the project is "Very Important,"
alumnae recognize the urgent need to compete on campus. A 1970s alumna said, "I totally
bought into the need when I saw the other houses and understood the competition aspect."
A 1980s alumna said, "To maintain a top presence on campus (which we all want), we
must provide a superb house that is pretty, safe, current, and proper size to attract top
quality potential new members." Broad understanding of the project's importance is a
positive indicator alumnae will see the value in a capital campaign to help fund the project.
Alumnae were then asked, "If the chapter house corporation decides to move forward with
a capital campaign, do you think other alumnae will support the project?" Fifty-six percent
of alumnae said "Yes" others would support a fundraising campaign and 42% said
"Maybe." When asked why their fellow alumnae would be supportive of a fundraising
