The seven Founders of Alpha Chi Omega joined together for fellowship and to foster an interest in music and the arts. In their honor, the Foundation supports the arts through an annual contribution for the maintenance of Star Studio at The MacDowell Colony, Peterborough, New Hampshire. Star Studio was built in 1911 with funds from Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity.
The MacDowell Colony provides an environment in which creative artists are free to pursue their work without interruption. The Colony was founded in 1907 and largely carried forward by Marian Nevins MacDowell (Zeta, New England Conservatory of Music), wife of composer Edward MacDowell. The MacDowell Colony was the very first altruistic project of Alpha Chi Omega.
The Foundation also supports Alpha Chi Omega fellowships in honor of Fay Barnaby Kent for professional artists and writers who need financial aid to study at the Colony.