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Submitted by Lynn Lambuth, Director of Sigma Theta Tau International Foundation for Nursing
(Indianapolis, IN)
April, 2007

Donor plans legacy for nursing research but funds research grant now through annual gift

“I have had many opportunities in my career, many of them made possible by the generosity of others; I wanted to be a part of making an ‘investment’ in someone else, in the same way others made that ‘investment’ in me,” said Diane Billings, RN, PhD, FAAN, on the occasion of making a present and planned gift to Sigma Theta Tau International Foundation for Nursing’s research endowment.

The foundation is on its way to achieving its Brick Paver Campaign for Nursing Excellence goal of raising US $1 million for its research endowment due to contributions like the one made by Dr. Billings and other donors. As a result of donations to the research endowment, more than $120,000 in nursing research grants will be awarded in 2008. This achieves one of President Carol Picard’s goals — to increase the awarding of research grants by 25 percent.

Dr. Billings has made the appropriate plans in her estate to endow a research grant with Sigma Theta Tau International Foundation for Nursing. During her life time she is making an annual gift to award the research grant now. Dr. Billings’ only request of the foundation was to award the research grant with the National League for Nursing (NLN).

“I have been an active member of both NLN and STTI and these organizations have been a major part of my professional life,” said Dr. Billings. “Both organizations have overlapping goals in the area of my own interest—the development and dissemination of the science of nursing education. It seemed that there could be a win-win-win for the research funding, STTI and NLN if we could pool the resources. I was most pleased to discover that a collaborative spirit existed and that both organizations would be pleased to be a part of making the award possible.”

“Knowing that this grant will be able to help a nurse educator who is conducting research in the area of my career interests (assisting faculty learn to use educational technologies to facilitate learning) is enormously satisfying,” said Dr. Billings. The first Sigma Theta Tau International/National League for Nursing research grant will be presented in November 2007.

“I credit my father for setting an example for being philanthropic so, in another sense, it is a tribute to him,” Dr. Billings said. “Giving back, in its many forms, is something professionals do and must do. In that regard, I hope this gift inspires others to do the same.”

Contact the Brick Paver Campaign for Nursing Excellence at the Sigma Theta Tau International Foundation for Nursing at 888.634.7575 or visit http://www.nursingsociety.org/giving/main.html for information about the Foundation.