Delta Zeta's National & Local Philantrophies

Hearing & Speech 

Delta Zeta takes immense pride in being the only global women's organization dedicated to hearing and speech. Since 1954, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to positively impacting these important causes. Our philanthropic efforts revolve around safeguarding hearing, raising awareness, and providing crucial resources for individuals seeking speech therapy and hearing aids.

Together with our global philanthropy partner, the Starkey Hearing Foundation, we are committed to empowering individuals with speech and hearing needs and ensuring they can access the support and resources they need and deserve.

At Delta Zeta, we believe in the transformative power of philanthropy and its ability to change lives. Our Heart For Hearing and Speech program focuses on protecting hearing, raising awareness of Deaf culture and American Sign Language (ASL) and providing speech therapy and hearing aids to those who need them.

Heart For Hearing and Speech Day holds a special place in our calendar. It is an annual event on the first Tuesday in May, coinciding with the start of Better Hearing and Speech Month. This inspiring event brings our sisters across the country closer together as we unite in our collective mission to make a difference.

Locally, the Beta Gamma Chapter also supports the Heuser Hearing Institute.

The University of Louisville Dance Marathon is held in February of each year and raises funds for the University of Louisville and Kosair Charities Pediatric Cancer programs.    It is an event near and dear to our hearts and our members are very involved each year serving on the planning and executive committees for the event.  In February, 2026 Delta Zeta won the award for the most money raised among all of the sororities at the University of Louisville!

Delta Zeta Sorority is deeply committed to providing our members with meaningful international service opportunities. We do this through our partnership with the SeriousFun Children’s Network, our global service project. SeriousFun focuses on helping children with serious illnesses have fun, make friends and build confidence.

Since 2006, Delta Zeta collegiate and alumnae chapters have adopted The Painted Turtle as their National Service Project. The turtle has become more than just a mascot–it is a symbol of positive change and enrichment. Over the years, many members of the Beta Gamma chapter have volunteered at the Painted Turtle Camps suring the summer.  In addition to volunteering at the camps thousands of Delta Zeta volunteers from collegiate and alumnae chapters host community events to benefit Camp, make projects and crafts for campers, and volunteer at camp as counselors and medical volunteers. Delta Zeta collegiate and alumnae members truly and graciously go above and beyond for our “turtles.”

The mission of the Delta Zeta Foundation is to advance the Sorority’s vision to be a global women’s organization whose shared values truly inspire action and impact lives. Established in 1961, the Foundation stands proudly as a pioneering national sorority educational foundation.  One of the largest programs of the Foundation is the Scholarship program;  Foundation offers various scholarships for college-age women, graduate students and alumnae returning to school. These scholarships help support academic excellence and financial needs, empowering our shared goal of lifelong learning and personal growth.   Many members of the Beta Gamma Chapter have been awarded thousands of dollars in scholarship each year!