Alpha Omicron Pi Renews National Partnership with the Arthritis Foundation for 2025-2026 

In an inspiring show of continued dedication, Alpha Omicron Pi Fraternity and Foundation (AOII) will once again support the Arthritis Foundation as a national partner throughout the fraternity’s 2025-2026 fiscal year. Kath Conver, president of the AOII Foundation, announced a $1 million donation to the Arthritis Foundation at the fraternity’s International Convention. Arthritis Foundation President Steven Taylor also made remarks.  

As a trusted partner, AOII’s support helps the Arthritis Foundation provide resources and connections to improve the lives of the nearly 60 million adults and hundreds of thousands of kids in the U.S. who live with at least one type of arthritis. 

“At Alpha Omicron Pi, we are honored to continue our longstanding support of the Arthritis Foundation and their JA Family Summit,” says Kaya Miller, executive director of AOII. “Our partnership reflects our deep commitment to empowering families, fostering resilience and advancing research for children living with juvenile arthritis. We are proud to help create a space where families can connect, establish meaningful connections and find hope together.” 

AOII’s donation will directly benefit the Foundation’s current slate of juvenile arthritis (JA) programming, including summer camps for kids with JA, the JA Family Summit, JA Power Packs, and scholarships for students with JA, in addition to the Foundation’s Helpline. AOII’s donation also will account for the future by supporting the Foundation’s science initiatives, including a fellowship for medical residents and the PIKASO osteoarthritis clinical trials.  

“Our partnership with Alpha Omicron Pi is rooted in shared values of compassion, service, and impact,” said Steven Taylor, president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation. “Their support helps us reach more people with life-changing resources and fuels our vision of a pain-free future.” 

This enduring partnership reflects AOII’s decades-long commitment to arthritis as the focus of its international philanthropy. They adopted the Arthritis Foundation as its international philanthropy in 1967 because of shared values. The women’s fraternity chose to focus on arthritis because of its devastating impact on millions of lives and the disproportionate impact on women and girls. Additionally, AOII recognized a dire need in the medical community for continued research. Funds for arthritis-related clinical studies were scarce, and the development of new treatments, and ultimately a cure, needed more financial support. 

To date, AOII has raised millions of dollars and dedicated thousands of volunteer hours in support of the cause. Members continue to champion local and national Arthritis Foundation events, lead awareness campaigns and support families affected by arthritis in their own communities. 

As the Arthritis Foundation continues to drive innovation in treatment, access, and support, AOII’s renewed partnership ensures that people with arthritis know they don’t have to face their journey alone. Together, we are making strides toward a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone affected by this disease.