Delta Research and Educational Foundation (DREF)

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. Their charge to realize social and economic equality for future generations of African American women continues as their guiding principle. Values-based Philanthropy Over the years, Delta Research and Educational Foundation has directed its charitable giving to program initiatives reflected in their founding mission. Whether Delta inspired national collaborations, or local Delta chapter initiatives; each program grant addresses the values-based objective to find sustainable solutions that increase economic opportunity, and create boundless possibilities for African American women, now and into the future. They carry out their 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 they serve. Their resource leveraging strategy not only expands their programmatic reach, but also broadens the base of concern and involvement on issues affecting the lives of African American women, their families and their communities. Their 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.