Zeta National Educational Foundation adds five board members and secures major donations

Zeta National Educational Foundation announced five new board members at its annual meeting in San Antonio on Oct. 5, 2026, as the nonprofit also disclosed a $100,000 anonymous gift and a separate $25,000 contribution to support scholarships. The funding and new leadership expand ZNEF’s ability to grow its scholarship program and educational mission.

Why it matters: - ZNEF is adding leadership capacity while bringing in fresh funding for scholarships. - The new board members and donations support the foundation’s work to reduce financial barriers for students pursuing higher education. - ZNEF said more than $895,000 in scholarship funding was awarded between 2022 and 2025, helping more than 100 students continue their education.

What happened: - Zeta National Educational Foundation, Incorporated announced five new members to its Board of Directors on Oct. 5, 2026, during the organization’s annual meeting in San Antonio. - The meeting took place at Estancia del Norte San Antonio, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. - ZNEF also received a $100,000 donation from an anonymous donor. - Dr. Stacie N.C. Grant presented a $25,000 check on behalf of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated.

The details: - The new board members are Gina Merritt-Epps, Beth Monnin, Erica Orr, Jalya Prince and Daniel J. Tann. - Gina Merritt-Epps will serve as Chair of the Fundraising Committee and is an attorney-at-law. - Beth Monnin is a board member and vice president of college licensing. - Erica Orr is Director of Regional Liaison Representatives and a project manager. - Jalya Prince is Financial Secretary and a certified public accountant. - Daniel J. Tann is Director of Quality Control and an attorney-at-law. - Dr. Valerie Hollingsworth Baker, chair of ZNEF, said the new members bring experience, vision and a spirit of service that will help expand the foundation’s reach and scholarship programs. - ZNEF said the donations will help continue opening doors for deserving students. - The foundation described the support as part of a broader tradition of service and collective impact tied to historically Black Greek-letter organizations, including the Divine Nine.

Between the lines: - The board expansion signals an effort to strengthen governance and fundraising at the same time. - The donations suggest donor confidence in ZNEF’s scholarship pipeline and its ability to turn gifts into direct student support. - ZNEF’s emphasis on partnerships with corporations, community leaders and donors points to a growth strategy built around recurring outside support, not just one-time fundraising. - The organization’s roots matter here: ZNEF was established in 1973 at the request of the executive board of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated and began as the sorority’s scholarship arm.

What’s next: - ZNEF said it plans to keep expanding scholarship opportunities, strengthening corporate and community partnerships, increasing donor engagement and developing new educational initiatives. - The foundation also aims to build sustainable resources for future generations. - ZNEF directs readers to its official website for scholarship information and ways to support its mission.

The bottom line: - ZNEF is pairing new leadership with new money to scale its scholarship mission and widen access to higher education.