[3] Since its founding, Alpha Gamma Delta has, as of December 2021[update], initiated over 201,000[4] members and installed 199 collegiate chapters and more than 250 alumnae groups.

[5][6][7][8] The fraternity provides various social, academic, leadership, and community service opportunities for collegiate members and alumnae.

Its current philanthropic initiative is a fight against hunger partnered with the nonprofit organizations Feeding America and Meals on Wheels.

[7] In 1904, efforts to introduce a new women's fraternity at Syracuse University began from eleven women and Dr. Wellesley Perry Coddington, a professor at the university who encouraged his students to form new fraternities[3][11][12][13] and was instrumental in the early development of Alpha Gamma Delta.

[17][7] Alpha Gamma Delta began international expansion in 1919 with the chartering of its Tau chapter at the University of Toronto.

Many chapters adopted war orphans or made garments, beginning the fraternity's timeline of organized charitable activity.

[7][14] In 1920, the fraternity created its first official philanthropy by starting a summer camp for underprivileged children in Jackson, Michigan, which expanded into Wellington, Canada.

[25][7] In 1959, at the organization's 22nd International Convention, Theta Sigma Upsilon merged with Alpha Gamma Delta and added 19 chapters to the latter's roster.

[26][27][7][8] During and after the 1960s, the organization underwent restructuring, in which it created a separate branch to manage its philanthropic sponsorships and run programs for its members.

[29] The fraternity partnered with Feeding America and Meals on Wheels in 2017 and now focuses its community service and fundraising initiatives towards fighting hunger .

"[30]The fraternity's founders designed a badge; they decided on a new design submitted by Mr. J. F. Newman, a jeweler, in the following months: "The second, and current, badge features a plain Delta (Δ), a chased Gamma (Γ), and an Alpha (Α) set with pearls [the official jewel] or diamonds superimposed on the other two letters".

The Foundation currently and historically awards scholarships and grants, funds wellness programs, and provides leadership training and other courses.

[22] Collegiate and alumnae members participate in fundraising activities for the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation and volunteer with and raise funds for food-based organizations in local communities, including Feeding America and Meals on Wheels.

As with all National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities, women may join Alpha Gamma Delta if they attend as an undergraduate a university with an active chapter from which they receive a membership offer.

The International Headquarters calls an annual meeting of chapter presidents and any alumnae or collegiate members who wish to attend.

Alpha Gamma Delta has 199 collegiate chapters across North America; these are grouped and named by geographical region.

[42] In 1970, at Eastern Illinois University, Donna Bedlinger died from head trauma after she was left in the woods with other pledges as part of hazing.

An alum denied the allegations in the report, and the national headquarters issued a statement saying that the sorority "prohibits discrimination based on race in all of its activities including recruitment.

"[73] Gotz and fellow students held a campus march to integrate campus Greek life, and following media and national outcry, the university held a second round of recruitment to offer membership to more women, including black women.