SPEAR

07/20/2026

✨ See You in Tampa! ✨

The Sigma Public Education and Research (SPEAR) Foundation is excited to join Members and Affiliates as the official philanthropic partner of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and a proud sponsor of the 2026 International Boulé!

📍 Visit us in Exhibit Hall – Booth 306
🗓️ July 22–25
📍 Tampa Convention Center

Stop by to:
💙 Learn more about our signature programs and strategic partnerships

📊 Explore how we're transforming collective investment into measurable community impact

🤝 Discover new opportunities to partner, volunteer, and support Foundation initiatives

💵 Hear about our new Community Impact Campaign.

🎯 Get a preview of our FY27 strategic priorities and what's ahead for SPEAR

We're also excited to share that the SPEAR Foundation 2024–2026 Community Investment and Impact Report is now available for review and will be formally presented during the applicable Boulé Business Session:

https://www.spearfoundation.org/2024-2026-community-investment-impact-report

The report highlights how, together, we've strengthened partnerships, expanded community investment, and advanced our shared mission through measurable impact. A comprehensive version is forthcoming.

We can't wait to connect with you in Tampa!

One Mission. Shared Impact. Strategic Possibilities.

07/11/2026

✨Congratulations to the FY27 SPEAR Foundation Mini-Grant Program recipients✨

This year, SPEAR expanded the Mini-Grant Program to support both Sigma Gamma Rho chapters and affiliates and community-based organizations advancing mission-aligned work through community service, public education, advocacy, social science, and applied research.

Approximately $15,000 has been awarded to 16 grantees whose programs reflect strong community need, meaningful partnership, and the potential for measurable impact.

We invite you to review the full FY27 Mini-Grant Program Award Announcement on the Foundation's website: https://www.spearfoundation.org/mini-grants

We are proud to support these initiatives and look forward to seeing the impact of their work across communities locally, nationally, and internationally.

Congratulations to all FY27 recipients!

One Mission. Shared Impact. Strategic Possibilities.

07/01/2026

✨Today, we officially welcome FY27 at the SPEAR Foundation!✨

As we enter a new fiscal year, we do so with renewed clarity, deeper purpose, and a stronger commitment to measurable impact.

Over the past two years, the Sigma Public Education and Research (SPEAR) Foundation has undergone significant transition, strategic restructuring, and capacity building — strengthening the systems, partnerships, and infrastructure needed to support our next chapter of growth.

As an official philanthropic arm of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., the Foundation exists to extend the Sorority’s impact through our five priorities: community service, public education, advocacy, social science and applied research.

As a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, SPEAR operates with independent governance, financial stewardship, and mission-driven oversight to support charitable initiatives that create meaningful and measurable change.

FY27 marks an important shift.

This year, we are moving forward with greater intentionality — strengthening philanthropy, expanding strategic partnerships, enhancing impact reporting, and building the infrastructure necessary to better measure and communicate the value of our work.

Our vision for the future is clear: to build a stronger, more sustainable Foundation that not only supports important initiatives, but helps drive transformative impact across communities locally, nationally, and globally.

To our donors, partners, stakeholders, and supporters — thank you for believing in this mission and growing with us.

The future of SPEAR is not simply about what we fund - It is about what we build, measure, and sustain...together.

One Mission. Shared Impact. Strategic Possibilities.

07/01/2026

✨Welcome Our New Financial Secretary, Shakema Sanders, Ph.D.! ✨

The SPEAR Foundation is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Shakema Sanders as our new Financial Secretary and member of the Board of Directors.

A highly accomplished executive leader with extensive experience in financial management, strategic planning, budget development, procurement, policy administration, and organizational leadership, Dr. Sanders brings more than two decades of experience overseeing complex financial operations across state government agencies and the private sector. Throughout her career, she has successfully managed multi-million and multi-billion-dollar budgets, directed financial planning and compliance functions, developed operational policies and procedures, and led teams in achieving organizational excellence. Her expertise in fiscal stewardship, accountability, internal controls, and strategic decision-making will be an invaluable asset to the Foundation.

Currently serving as Deputy Director of Administration for the Virginia Department for Housing and Community Development, Dr. Sanders provides executive leadership across finance, procurement, human resources, and information technology functions while overseeing budgets exceeding $3 billion. She previously served in senior financial leadership roles with the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, Virginia Department of Social Services, Virginia Department of Health, and Virginia Department of Transportation, where she built a distinguished record of strengthening financial systems, ensuring regulatory compliance, and advancing organizational effectiveness.

As Financial Secretary, Dr. Sanders will serve as a key steward of the Foundation’s financial records and incoming funds, helping to ensure transparency, accountability, and strong internal controls. She will work collaboratively with Foundation leadership to support sound financial practices that advance SPEAR’s mission and long-term sustainability.

Dr. Sanders holds a Doctor of Business Administration, a Master of Science in Administration with a concentration in Human Resources, and maintains several professional credentials, including SHRM-SCP, Virginia Contracting Officer (VCO) certification, and completion of the Virginia Executive Institute leadership program.

Her commitment to excellence, integrity, and service aligns seamlessly with SPEAR’s mission to advance social, educational, and economic empowerment through education, advocacy, and research-driven solutions.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Shakema Sanders to the SPEAR Foundation leadership team!

06/15/2026

Omega Rho Services for Cultured Pearl Arcola F. Stafford

Western Region Sorors, please take note of the details below for the Omega Rho Services and Memorial Service honoring our Beloved Cultured Pearl Arcola F. Stafford.

📍 Palm Southwest Mortuary
7979 West Warm Springs Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89113

🗓 Monday, June 15, 2026
🕑 Omega Rho Services — Promptly at 2:00 PM
🕑 Memorial Service — 2:30 PM

🔗 Sorors planning to attend Omega Rho Services, please confirm your attendance via the link in bio.

Attire: Uninterrupted white 🤍

Cards & condolences may be mailed to the mortuary C/O Dion Aaron.

For meal train information, email [email protected].

In Loving Memory. In Sisterhood. Forever.

06/09/2026

Today, we honor the life and legacy of Arcola F. Stafford — founding board member, Emeritus Director, trailblazer, educator, and faithful steward of the SPEAR Foundation, as she made her Earthly transition this morning.

Since 1993, Director Stafford faithfully served alongside our Founding President & CEO, as well as the 18th International Grand Basileus of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Corine J. Green - helping to shape and sustain the vision of the Foundation. As a founding board member and our immediate past Treasurer for more than 30 years, her stewardship, financial leadership, wisdom, and unwavering commitment helped guide the Foundation with integrity and purpose.

Beyond her fiduciary leadership, Director Stafford embodied service in action. She was instrumental in implementing and leading one of the Foundation’s earliest leadership programs, Leadership and Development Empowering Sisters (LADES) program (formally called Rites of Passage) on Saturdays, supporting young girls through out-of-school time (OST) programming in the Las Vegas area. Her dedication to education and youth development extended throughout her distinguished career of more than three decades as an Elementary Music Teacher within the Clark County, Nevada School District.

A proud Life Member and Cultured Pearl of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. since 1969 and an esteemed alumna of Philander-Smith College, Director Stafford’s leadership and impact extended deeply throughout the sisterhood and community. Whether through her work in education, the arts, the Foundation, or the sorority, she leaves behind a legacy rooted in excellence, service, and love for people.

Please continue to keep Director Stafford’s family, friends, Sorors, the Foundation's Board of Directors and those that loved her lifted in prayer during this incredibly difficult time, including Legacy Emeritus Director Dorothy Simmons-Blake with whom she shared a very close and longstanding relationship and worked side-by-side with as a part of the Foundation's financial team.

Emeritus Director Stafford’s legacy will forever live on through the countless lives she touched, the paths she paved, and the foundation she helped build for future generations. Thank you, Emeritus Director Stafford, for blazing trails that continue to light the way forward. 💙💛

05/25/2026

On May 22 and 23, The SPEAR Foundation Board of Directors convened virtually for our FY26 Annual Meeting.

Together, we celebrated progress made this year while engaging in meaningful conversations around fiscal and programmatic stewardship, expanded partnerships, community engagement, measurable impact and long-term sustainability.

We are grateful to our officers, emeritus and general directors, regional representatives, committee chairs and members, partners, donors and supporters who continue helping move this work forward. Stay tuned for more as we wrap up a productive FY26 (2025-26)!

05/20/2026

Many thanks to Star House for being such an integral part of supporting Columbus, Ohio’s most vulnerable youth through your mission and services and partnering with the Foundation’s International Shoe Drive (SISD)!

Thank you to Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and the Sigma Public Education and Research (SPEAR) Foundation for donating gift cards to purchase shoes for youth accessing our services! Your support means so much. 👟

05/08/2026

📣 SPEAR International Shoe Drive submission reminder. DEADLINE EXTENDED UNTIL MAY 30th!

Please contact [email protected] for any additional questions.

04/29/2026

✨SPEAR FY27 Mini-Grant Program: Intent to Apply is due TOMORROW, April 30! ✨

Funding is available—and your impact matters.

The SPEAR Foundation is proud to launch the FY27 (2026–2027 SY) Mini-Grant Program, providing grants of $500–$1,500 to support initiatives that:
✔️ Advance economic mobility
✔️ Strengthen families
✔️ Improve quality of life in underserved communities

We’re looking for bold, community-centered ideas that:
🔹 Amplify youth, women, and minority voices
🔹 Advance education and advocacy
🔹 Create sustainable, local impact

This is more than funding—it’s an opportunity to turn your vision into action.

Upcoming Key Dates:
Intent to Apply (REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR FUNDING): April 30 (11:59pm PST)
Application Opens: May 1
Application Closes: May 15

For more information: www.spearfoundation.org/mini-grants