On August 2, during the opening session of the 1997 Leadership College in Oxford, the Trustees of the Phi Delta Theta Foundation announced “The Living Bond: Strengthening Men for Life,” a comprehensive $5 million capital fundraising campaign. The announcement was made by Foundation Trustee Marvin J. Perry, Maryland ’53, and Cecil J. ‘Pete’ Silas, Georgia Tech ’53, retired chairman and CEO of Phillips Petroleum Company, who served as chairman of the campaign.

The Leadership College was a particularly appropriate venue for the announcement. One of the primary components of the campaign was to endow the annual flagship educational event attended by undergraduate leaders and their alumni advisers.

The Living Bond Campaign had six components—five educational programs and a facility expansion component.

Educational Programming Goals: $3.5 million

Scholarship Grants Program: $750,000

Chapter Consultant Program: $500,000

Undergraduate Leadership Training: $500,000

Alumni Leadership Training: $250,000

On-Going Annual Support: $1.5 million

Facility Goals – $1.5 million

General Headquarters Expansion: $1.5 million

The public announcement of the Campaign capped off two years of study, planning, and preparation by the Foundation Trustees, the General Council, and the Foundation and Fraternity staff members. At the time of the August announcement, contributions and pledges to the Campaign had surpassed the $2 million mark.

The Campaign continued throughout 1998, the Fraternity’s 150th year, and was successfully completed in 2000.