Holt House – The Birthplace of Pi Beta Phi

The founding of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity took place at Holt House in Monmouth, Illinois where two founders – Ada Bruen and Libbie Brook – lived while attending college. Over the years, the property fell into disrepair and was purchased for the Fraternity in 1939 at a delinquent tax auction for $1,100. Shortly thereafter, restoration began.
Today, the Monmouth community uses Holt House for small weddings, receptions, meetings and social and civil gatherings. Nearby Pi Phi chapters and alumnae clubs hold meetings, initiations and ceremonies there. Holt House receives grants from the Foundation for operational and capital improvements.

In the last two fiscal years, Pi Beta Phi Foundation granted more than $24,000 to Holt House.

Arrowmont – The Birthplace of Pi Phi’s Passion for Education

In 1912, Pi Phis founded a school in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and until 1969, Pi Phis taught the area's children. In 1945, in conjunction with the University of Tennessee, Pi Beta Phi Settlement School began giving successful summer craft workshops that eventually developed into a year-round program of arts education. Today, Arrowmont is a well respected center of contemporary art and crafts education. The Foundation continues to fund grant requests from Arrowmont, with an emphasis on preserving the Fraternity’s interests through the funding of capital improvements.

On March 13, 2009, Pi Beta Phi Foundation announced a $150,000 grant to Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts.  The grant is the largest single award of funds by the Foundation to the School.  It will be used primarily to build Arrowmont's marketing and development capability in order to generate greater contributed and earned income for the School.  For more information, please click here to view the press release from Pi Beta Phi Foundation Board of Trustees.

In the last two fiscal years, Pi Beta Phi Foundation granted more than $206,000 to Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts and an additional $2,000 in scholarships for spring and summer Arrowmont workshops.