House of Alpha - FAQs

Yes. The Alpha Light Fund, Inc. (EIN: 82-2447061) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which means that your donation is 100% TAX-DEDUCTIBLE to the extent allowed by law, and can be made using any of the following tax-efficient giving strategies:

• Appreciated securities
• Matching Gift employee benefit programs
• DAF (Donor-Advised Funds)
• Qualified Charitable Distribution, for those over 70 ½ years old
• Combine a cash gift with a bequest in your will
• Check or money order
• PayPal

Please consult with your qualified tax professional regarding your giving strategy. If you have any specific tax questions about the Alpha Light Fund, kindly contact the Alpha Light Fund Treasurer Glenn Gregory: glenngregory@alphalightfund.org.

Donations to the House of Alpha capital campaign can be made using any of the following tax-efficient giving strategies:

• Appreciated securities
• Matching Gift employee benefit programs
• DAF (Donor-Advised Funds)
• Qualified Charitable Distribution, for those over 70 ½ years old
• Combine a cash gift with a bequest in your will
• Check or money order
• PayPal

Please consult with your qualified tax professional regarding your giving strategy. If you have any specific tax questions about the Alpha Light Fund, kindly contact the Alpha Light Fund Treasurer Glenn Gregory: glenngregory@alphalightfund.org.

Donations can to the House of Alpha capital campaign be made using any of the following tax-efficient giving strategies:

• Appreciated securities
• Matching Gift employee benefit programs
• DAF (Donor-Advised Funds)
• Qualified Charitable Distribution, for those over 70 ½ years old
• Combine a cash gift with a bequest in your will
• Check or money order
• PayPal

Please consult with your qualified tax professional regarding your giving strategy. If you have any specific tax questions about the Alpha Light Fund, kindly contact the Alpha Light Fund Treasurer Glenn Gregory: glenngregory@alphalightfund.org.

The House of Alpha will be professionally managed, well-maintained, and support current and leading-edge technology platforms ideally suited for student housing and learning. The structure, operations, and sustainability of the house will support existence for 100+ years.

Your restricted contribution to the House of Alpha capital campaign will be used for construction, renovation, and operating expenses for the HOA. A detailed graph outlining use of funds is enclosed.

The House of Alpha will generate its revenue from room rentals and events. As landlord of the property, the Alpha Light Fund, Inc. wants to ensure the House of Alpha is not only viewed as a highly attractive place to live, but that it also operates as a profitable self-sustaining housing option for students for the next 100 years.

The Alpha Light Fund, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization (TIN: 82-2440761) committed to supporting initiatives and projects that promote equity, opportunity and representation, and which foster an environment of progress that moves America toward an equitable society.

The Alpha Light Fund seeks to develop Black and brown leaders, promote collaboration among allied organizations, and highlight academic excellence, while providing access to opportunities, uplift, and advocacy for youth and adults via our programming, information, and services.

The House of Alpha is both a residence and a leadership institute that will foster an environment of progress that moves America toward an equitable society. It is a cultural destination site: a place to develop Black and brown leaders, promote collaboration among allied organizations, and highlight academic excellence, while providing access to opportunities, uplift, and advocacy for youth and adults through programming, information, and services.

These two projects are separate--but complementary--and are intended to be an interconnecting link to other memorials and locations around Ithaca, New York that recognize or tell the broader story of Alpha Phi Alpha’s history in particular, and also provide a broader context to the history of African Americans in general.

The House of Alpha, sponsored by the Alpha Light Fund, Inc, a 501c3 non-profit organization, is both a residence and a leadership institute that will foster an environment of progress that moves America toward an equitable society. The House of Alpha’s fundraising goal is $5.7 million.

The Jewels Heritage Project, sponsored by the Jewels Heritage Project, a 501c3 non-profit organization, is working to create monuments and memorials at two historic Ithaca, New York properties that were instrumental in the founding of Alpha Phi Alpha: 421North Albany Street and 411 East State Street. The Jewels Heritage Project fundraising goal is $4.0 million.

While there is a common thread between ALF and JHP, each initiative is managed via a separate 501c3 non-profit organizations and governed by separate, independent boards of directors.

The House of Alpha is a 4-year capital campaign. Contributions can be made upfront, spread out over the 4-years, or a combination of the two. Please click the pledge card for more details.

The creation of Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Chapter was like the Big Bang; it was the tiny spark from which all Black Greek organizations sprung. We are developing a property that will memorialize this significance. So, whether you were initiated at a single-letter or multi-letter chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha (or any other Black Greek organization, for that matter), none of them would exist without Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Chapter. In addition, we're creating a tourist destination of which the House of Alpha will be one of a number of locations that acknowledge the significant history of Black Americans as it relates to Upstate NY. It’s not just about Alpha Chapter; it’s important for our community, our history and our collective memory to celebrate this effort and make the House of Alpha a reality.

Permits, architectural designs, and final reviews by local historic committee were approved in April 2023. Groundbreaking on interior demolition to the House of Alpha is scheduled begin in May 2023. (As of April 30, 2023).

Completion of the House of Alpha is scheduled to occur approximately 14 months from its groundbreaking date, (Spring 2024).

Your restricted contribution to the House of Alpha capital campaign will be used for construction, renovation, and operating expenses for the HOA. A detailed graph outlining use of funds is enclosed.

Specific and/or general questions about either the Alpha Light Fund or the House of Alpha capital campaign can be directed to:

Dennis Mitchell, President, Alpha Light Fund: dennismitchell@alphalightfund.org
Glenn Gregory, Treasurer, Alpha Light Fund: glenngregory@alphalightfund.org
Willie Myles, House of Alpha Fundraising Co-Chairman: williemyles@alphalightfund.org
General mailbox: HOAcampaign@alphalightfund.org

You can view the officers and board members of the Alpha Light Fund, Inc. at https://www.alphalightfund.org/about-us

The property located at 105 Westbourne Lane, Ithaca, NY is a gift from Robert F. Smith, founder and CEO of Vista Equity Partners and an Alpha Chapter initiate, to the Alpha Light Fund, Inc. (ALF), a 501c3 organization (TIN: 82-2440761). Alpha Light Fund, Inc. will own and operate the property.

The House of Alpha is intended to serve as the permanent home for the Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and as such, ALF looks forward to welcoming fraternity brothers attending Cornell to live at the residence. In addition, we’re offering rooms to HBCU students transferring to Cornell. Remaining rooms will be available to students on campus.

This is a historic once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Brothers to participate. There will only be one House of Alpha. We're offering those who "bleed Black and Old Gold" an ability to memorialize their contribution toward making the House of Alpha possible.

Your contribution will also be used to cover operating expenses (taxes, insurance, and maintenance) during construction and renovation of the House of Alpha, as well as the modest fundraising expenses incurred during the campaign.

Contributions made to the House of Alpha capital campaign are private. The Alpha Light Fund will share a respective donor’s name if that donor has given consent to have their name and level of contribution displayed in communications. Specific contribution amounts will not be displayed; only the donor’s level of giving (i.e., Jewels, Legacy, etc.).