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Chapter Basics FAQ
Please reach us at info@estherfundsfoundation.org if you cannot find an answer to your question.
EFF collegiate chapters exist to prevent college dropouts on their campus by supporting students through faith-based service, community engagement, and fundraising. Each chapter focuses on creating a Christ-centered community while addressing the real-life struggles that cause students to leave college. Chapters host Bible studies, prayer initiatives, and spiritual development events, while also fundraising to provide direct assistance to students—such as emergency aid, scholarships, groceries, or school supplies. Their mission is to serve students, uplift faith, and keep peers on the path to graduation.
To start an EFF chapter, you’ll need a group of at least 7–8 dedicated students who are passionate about keeping students in school through faith, service, and support. One student will serve as the founding leader. While you’re encouraged to include younger students for long-term sustainability, any enrolled student can lead.
You can apply to Esther Funds Foundation before your university officially approves the organization, but your chapter will not be recognized as an official EFF chapter until your school grants approval. Be sure to check your university’s policies for starting a new student organization and begin that process alongside your application. After applying, you’ll attend a virtual orientation and receive guidance from EFF Headquarters on launching your chapter, building your leadership team, and hosting your first event.
Any current college student with a heart for service, faith, and student success can start an EFF chapter at their school. You don’t need to have leadership experience—just a passion for helping others and a willingness to be trained. Chapters can be started at any universitiy, community colleges, and HBCUs across the country.
Currently, EFF chapters are designed for college and university campuses only. However, high school students can still support our mission by volunteering, donating, or raising awareness about college dropout prevention and educational equity.
No—EFF chapters must be affiliated with a college or university. If you're a graduate or community member passionate about the mission, you can still support our work through partnerships, volunteering, or mentorship. You can also apply to be part of our EFF Ambassador Program to represent the mission beyond campus.
Faculty or staff are essential to chapter success and are required to serve as the official campus advisor. Advisors provide guidance, help navigate university policies, and offer support as student leaders build the chapter. While faculty can’t start a chapter alone, your mentorship is critical for sustainability and impact.
If you’re graduating soon, you can still help start or relaunch a chapter, but we recommend recruiting a younger student to take over leadership for sustainability. Alumni can remain involved as mentors, donors, or members of our national volunteer team.
Right now, EFF chapters are focused on colleges and universities within the United States, especially in the Southeast. If you're outside the U.S. and interested in expanding EFF to your campus, reach out—we’d love to explore possibilities with you!
Yes! EFF chapters can absolutely be started at community colleges. Many of our initiatives are designed to support students at all types of institutions, including 2-year schools where dropout prevention is critical.
Not at all! In fact, EFF is a faith-based organization, and we welcome chapters at religious institutions. All we ask is that your chapter stays aligned with EFF’s core mission of serving students through Christ-centered support and dropout prevention.
Not at all. EFF welcomes students from all backgrounds—whether you’ve personally struggled with college barriers or simply want to be part of the solution. You don't need to be in need to lead or serve. If you care about helping your peers, you belong here.
Things to Consider Before Starting a Chapter
Starting a chapter usually takes 2–4 weeks, depending on your university’s student organization approval process. You can submit your EFF Chapter Application and begin orientation while waiting on campus approval, but your chapter won’t be officially recognized until your school gives the green light. EFF Headquarters is here to guide you every step of the way.
Running an EFF chapter is a meaningful commitment. Chapter leaders typically dedicate 3–5 hours per week, depending on the size of the chapter and upcoming events. Time is spent planning meetings, organizing events, managing volunteers, fundraising, and staying connected with EFF Headquarters. With a full leadership team, the load is shared—and it’s worth every moment spent impacting lives on your campus.
To start a chapter, you’ll need at least 7–8 committed students who are willing to be active members or take on leadership roles. This group will help you meet university requirements, build momentum, and launch your first events. Including a mix of class years (especially freshmen and sophomores) is recommended to keep the chapter strong over time.
That’s great! EFF often partners with like-minded organizations on campus such as Christian ministries, mentoring programs, or mental health advocacy groups. However, what makes EFF unique is its specific mission to prevent college dropouts through faith-based service, leadership, and emergency support. You can still start an EFF chapter alongside other groups and even collaborate to serve your campus more effectively. We’re here to complement—not compete.
Money and Funding
There is no fee to apply to start an EFF chapter. However, some universities may require student organizations to pay a registration or renewal fee, so be sure to check your campus policies. Once your chapter is approved, you’re encouraged to begin fundraising and planning events to support students on your campus.
Budgets will vary depending on the size of your chapter and your goals, but a starting budget of $300–$500 per semester is a good foundation. This can cover things like event supplies, outreach materials, service projects, care packages, or fundraising campaigns. Chapters may also raise more to support emergency aid or scholarship giveaways for students on their campus.
Chapters can find funding in several ways:
- Apply for funding through your university's student government or student organization office
- Host fundraisers such as donation drives, bake sales, raffles, or campus events
- Partner with local businesses, churches, or community organizations
- Apply for mini-grants (EFF HQ will notify chapters of any national opportunities)
- Use digital platforms (like GoFundMe or Venmo) with proper approval to collect donations for specific causes, like scholarship giveaways or emergency aid
EFF Headquarters can also provide fundraising ideas and templates to help your chapter thrive financially while staying mission-focused.
Getting Started
Great places to look for a chapter advisor include your student affairs office, campus ministry staff, professors, academic advisors, or counseling center staff. You're looking for someone who is passionate about student success and willing to support your chapter as a mentor. Advisors help with event approvals, university policies, and long-term sustainability.
Start by sharing your personal “why”—why preventing college dropouts matters to you and how EFF’s mission aligns with the needs of your peers. Host a small interest meeting or Bible study, post flyers, or meet with campus leaders to explain EFF’s purpose. Let others know that this is a space where faith and student support come together to keep students enrolled and thriving.
A strong first program is something simple, impactful, and mission-focused—like a care package giveaway, Bible study and prayer night, or scholarship workshop. Many chapters also start with a donation drive (groceries, hygiene items, or school supplies) for students in need. You can also co-host with another campus group to build visibility and momentum.
You can express your intent to start a chapter, but you may not use the official EFF name or logos until your chapter is approved by both your university and EFF Headquarters. Once approved, you’ll receive a chapter branding kit with logos, templates, and guidelines for creating flyers, merchandise, and more.
The Chapter Agreement outlines your chapter’s commitment to uphold the mission, values, and expectations of Esther Funds Foundation. It covers leadership responsibilities, event planning, branding guidelines, communication with headquarters, and chapter accountability.
You can download the Chapter Agreement anytime by visiting the EFF Chapter Resources section under the “More” tab on our website. We recommend reviewing it before applying so you know what to expect!
Here’s a quick checklist to begin:
- Gather at least 7–8 students interested in starting a chapter.
- Find a campus advisor (faculty or staff).
- Review your university’s process for starting a new student organization.
- Submit the EFF Chapter Application online.
- Attend a virtual orientation and begin building your leadership board.
- Start with a welcome event, Bible study, or campus fundraiser!
You don’t have to have it all figured out—EFF is here to walk with you every step of the way.
Role of the National Office – Esther Funds Foundation (EFF)
Once your chapter is approved, you’ll be in regular communication with the EFF National Office and your assigned Undergraduate Coordinator. We’re here to help you launch, grow, and thrive—from onboarding to event planning and leadership support. Our goal is to walk alongside you as you serve your campus and fulfill the mission of EFF.
Being part of Esther Funds Foundation connects your chapter to a larger movement of student-led change. Benefits include:
- Access to national branding, logos, templates, and toolkits
- Leadership development, training, and digital courses
- Eligibility for national scholarships, funding opportunities, and recognitions
- A direct connection to faith-based student support initiatives
- The ability to make a real difference in dropout prevention on your campus
EFF provides a flexible structure that all chapters must follow to stay aligned with our mission and remain in compliance. This includes things like having a leadership board, submitting semester reports, and participating in national initiatives. That said, every chapter is encouraged to be creative and design programs that best fit their campus culture. If you have questions about chapter format or want to try something new, reach out to EFF National—we’re happy to guide you.
We’re happy to help with any university verification or paperwork. Please contact the EFF National Office at least one week in advance so we can review and return the requested documentation in time. You can email us at info@estherfundsfoundation.org with the details.
Yes, all chapters must follow a basic structure to ensure consistency, accountability, and alignment with EFF’s mission. This includes:
- Maintaining a leadership team
- Hosting at least one event per month
- Submitting volunteer hours and semester reports
- Participating in at least one national initiative per year
However, within those expectations, chapters have creative freedom to make their events, faith-based activities, and outreach unique to their school.
The Internal Revenue Service at the moment does not recognizes the Esther Funds Foundation. (EFF) as a 501(c)(3) exempt organization and public charity. Contributions to EFF are not tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. EFF tax identification number 93-4917509
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