The Heart of Alpha Phi
Women’s heart health is at the core of Alpha Phi’s national philanthropy. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S., responsible for nearly one in every five female deaths—yet it remains widely misunderstood and under-researched.
Through the Alpha Phi Foundation, we are committed to changing that. Since its inception, the Heart to Heart Grant has invested over $1.58 million into groundbreaking research and education initiatives focused on improving the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease in women.
Beyond our foundation’s efforts, we proudly support the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign, which combats the misconception that heart disease primarily affects men. By raising awareness and building a nationwide advocacy network, Go Red for Women empowers women to take charge of their heart health and paves much-needed change in research and healthcare.
At Alpha Phi, we are driven by heart—championing research, awareness, and advocacy to protect women’s heart health for generations to come.
Red Heart Gala
MIT Alpha Phi shows commitment to our national philanthropy through two large-scale annual events, the first being Red Heart Gala. Held during family weekend in October, we invite friends and family into our home to learn more about our chapter and bond in support of women’s heart health. The day consists of heart-themed activities, opportunities to learn more about our mission, food and refreshments, house tours, and a silent auction. Last year, we raised almost $1000 for women’s heart health - and big plans are in store to expand the reach of Red Heart Gala 2025!
In addition to the Gala, we are happy to introduce new week-long fundraising leading up to the event, including selling roses and baked goods to raise awareness and funds across the MIT community. Be on the lookout for more details in October 2025 - We appreciate your support!
Heartthrob
Our second annual event is the campus-favorite Heartthrob, which takes place in the spring term. Heartthrob is a pageant-style show where representatives from MIT fraternities, sports teams, and other organizations from all across campus compete against one another for the coveted title of Alpha Phi Heartthrob!
Contestants perform incredibly entertaining talent, modeling, and Q&A portions to an audience of hundreds every year. In the spring of 2024, we hosted contestants from 7 different organizations and raised $3,500, with Kappa Sigma’s Hector Astrom crowned Mr. Heartthrob - We are excited to welcome our new champion this April 26th, 2025!
Our Personal Causes
At MIT Alpha Phi, our dedication to service extends far beyond our national philanthropy. Our sisters are deeply passionate about topics including humanitarian aid, homelessness, and so much more.
When over 100,000 refugees fled Nagorno-Karabakh for Armenia in the fall of 2023, Lily Janjigan (CO ‘24) mobilized our sisterhood to take action. Using her grandmother’s recipe for gata, a traditional Armenian pastry, Lily organized a bake sale that helped raise nearly $5,000 to support refugees.
"While it was devastating to hear the news about those who fled Nagorno-Karabakh, I was proud to do something to help those struggling in Armenia while sharing part of my culture," she shared.
Our commitment to giving back doesn’t stop there. Each year, we come together to create holiday cards for local senior centers and collect donations for the Women’s Lunch Place, providing critical support for women experiencing homelessness, hunger, and poverty. Whether through global or local initiatives, our sisterhood is always looking for ways to make a meaningful impact. We invite you to join us in supporting the causes we hold near to our hearts - every effort counts!
