In 1928, residents in rural communities of the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia were the first to benefit from ZTA’s philanthropic efforts. Zetas aided the people of Currin Valley in Smith City, Virginia, where ZTA established a health center. At the close of the Health Center in 1946, ZTA adopted the Cerebral Palsy Division of the National Society for Crippled Children and Adults. Later, ZTA adopted Easter Seals. In 1970, ZTA formed an alliance with the Association for Retarded Citizens (now known as The ARC) as its national philanthropy. Over the years, in addition to its designated national philanthropy, Zeta Tau Alpha has also supported the Red Cross, the Sunshine Kids Foundation and Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF).

In 1992, ZTA adopted The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation as its national philanthropy. Later, the Fraternity broadened its focus to encompass not only the Komen Foundation, but also other educational means dedicated to fighting breast cancer through education, awareness and promoting breast health. Furthermore, each alumnae and collegiate chapter generally volunteers with one or more local philanthropy of its choosing in addition to their support of the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation and ZTA’s national philanthropy.

Today, our National Philanthropy is Breast Cancer Education and Awareness.

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In February 2004, the ZTA Foundation was pleased to announce that THINK-PINK!® became a registered trademark of ZTA with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This is now the umbrella for all of our breast cancer education and awareness projects.

Typically during the month of October, chapters distribute THINK-PINK!® ribbons, BSE calendar stickers and Shower cards. However, many chapters promote THINK-PINK!® throughout the year. In September 2000, THE Foundations Seminar, sponsored by the Interfraternity Conference, awarded the ZTA Foundation first place honors in the category of “Best Use of Foundation Funds for an Educational Project” for the THINK-PINK!® campaign.

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ZTA began an association with The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in 1992 when it became the first national sponsor of the Race for the Cure®’s National Series Breast Cancer Survivor Recognition Program. Since that year, ZTA has continually served as a national sponsor of the Survivor Recognition Program. In the early 1990s, ZTA co-sponsored this program for three years with Kellogg. In 2002, RE/MAX replaced Kellogg as ZTA’s co-sponsor. ZTA provides the signature pink T-shirts and caps for participants to wear during the race. As part of the Survivor Program, ZTA also provides pink “In Memory Of” and “In Celebration Of” back signs for participants to wear during the Race for the Cure® events so they may race in honor of a friend or loved one. The ZTA Foundation also provides an educational item for each Race participant, such as the ZTA Breast-Self Examination (BSE) Calendar Reminder Stickers.

On behalf of ZTA, the Foundation has donated more than $1.6 million to The Susan G. Komen Foundation since 1992. Additionally, more than 5,000 Zetas volunteer in excess of 50,000 hours each year to support the more than 100 Komen Race for the Cure® events nationwide. Zeta Tau Alpha facilitates its local efforts through ZTA Race Representatives at each Race.