Brown Annual Fund | Impact Report 2022-23

A look back at what your support made possible during Fiscal Year 2022-23.

Breadcrumb

Brown Annual Fund | Impact Report 2022-23

A look back at what your support made possible during Fiscal Year 2022-23.

Brown Annual Fund logoWith record-breaking donor support, the 2022-23 fundraising year was the Brown Annual Fund’s biggest to date. Thanks to you, the impact of community contributions to the Annual Fund rippled farther than ever before, from expanding Brown’s financial aid budget to cultivating a vibrant and welcoming campus to propelling cutting-edge research. None of it would have been possible without the philanthropy and volunteerism of Brown alumni, students, faculty, parents, families, and friends who make up our Annual Fund community.

 

Overview of the FY23 Annual Fund

White icon of stacks of coins

$50,807,184

total raised

Brown icon of three people

30,191

total donors

A Message from the Brown Annual Fund Co-Chairs

As we reflect on our first year as co-chairs of the Brown Annual Fund, we are humbled by the way thousands of community members—including you—turned out for Brown. Consider this report a portrait, reflecting the many aspects of Brunonian life your Brown Annual Fund gift touches. A full accounting of your impact would require a three-hour film, but throughout this report we hope you’ll feel affirmed that what you do, and what you give, truly matters to Brown’s students and faculty. This past year, we beat our target and raised over $50.8 million. 

By supporting the Annual Fund each year, you have a positive effect on daily life at Brown. Your contributions provide students with transformational financial aid and experiential learning opportunities, help bring more world-class faculty into the fold, and uplift critical University-wide priorities such as diversifying our student body and faculty, achieving a net-zero carbon emission campus, bolstering athletics and recreation opportunities for students, and improving human health. Brown continually builds on distinction because of you, and, as a result, the world is a better place.

This is an exciting time to guide the Brown Annual Fund into its next phase. Our deepest gratitude goes out to you for your support.

 

Earl Hunt

Earl E. Hunt, II ’03

Jennifer Moses

Jennifer Moses ’83, P’18

Donna McGraw Weiss headshot

Donna McGraw Weiss ’89, P’25, P’27

The Brown Fund

From academics to campus-wide programs to financial aid, supporting the University where it’s most needed.

White stacks of coins icon

$35,054,224

dollars

White icon of people

21,036

donors

Brown icon of a university building

$187 million

Brown’s total budget for financial aid

Eric Cho standing in a greenhouse surrounded by plants


Eric Cho ’26

financial aid recipient

“I chose Brown because of the Open Curriculum. I really liked the flexibility and opportunity to explore many different classes. Because of financial aid, I am able to pursue my passions, focus more on my classes and my future plans, get involved with clubs, and allow me to enjoy my time being a student on College Hill.”

Impact Funds

Pathways to Diversity and Inclusion Fund

Helping Brown foster a truly inclusive campus by providing funding for creative programming and opportunities as outlined in Brown’s diversity and inclusion action plan.

Brown icons of coin stacks

$1,091,600

raised

Brown icons of people

997

donors

Terren Wise posing inside a building at Brown University

 

Terren Wise ’26

student veteran

 

“My transition from the military to Brown has been a complete paradigm shift for me and quite overwhelming. The Office of Military-Affiliated Students (OMAS) offers a safe space to connect with like-minded peers. Their staff helps me with supportive services to ensure my future success here at Brown.”

 

“As a librarian and archivist at the Sarah Doyle Center, I have been able to work with a rich collection of materials and texts which have challenged my preconceived understanding of gender and sexuality, and have helped me address the needs of those who use the center as a safe space and resource.”

Maria Gomberg posing inside a building at Brown University

 

Maria Gomberg ’26

librarian and archivist, Sarah Doyle Center for Women and Gender

Alaina Cherry

 

Alaina Cherry ’24

student staff member, LGBTQ Center

“I’m grateful for the support system I’ve found at the LGBTQ Center. My role as a peer counselor has helped me grow as a leader by learning how to lead with grace and empathy, and facilitate difficult conversations. It’s refreshing to have a safe and welcoming space that allows me to take a step back from being a student and engage in the community, seek mentorship, and build connections.”

The vision and generosity behind Brown’s new LGBTQ Center

Inspired donors and dedicated staff and students collaborated to create Stonewall House, a new campus space for community care and support that’s already having an impact.

read the full story

Inman Page Black Alumni Council Brown Annual Fund Scholarship

Furthering the University’s commitment to cultivate and support a diverse student body by providing financial aid, with a preference for exceptional African American and Black students at Brown.

Brown icon of coin stacks

$1,106,661

raised

Brown icon of people

667

donors

Eric Cho standing in a greenhouse surrounded by plants

Leslie Walker ’26

financial aid recipient

“Financial aid played a large role in my application process as I could only apply to schools with full-ride scholarships. Knowing that Brown would meet 100% of my needs and offered a fitting school culture, it pushed me to apply. Without the burden of paying for college, I can focus on curating a healthy college experience.”

Campus Sustainability Fund

Reducing our carbon footprint and making Brown a net-zero energy campus.

White stacks of coins

$234,079

raised

White icons of people

376

donors

Jessica Berry standing outside on the Brown campus


Jessica Berry

Assistant Vice President, Office of Sustainability and Resiliency

“Stemming from Brown’s Sustainability Strategic Plan, the University is taking concrete actions to address the global climate crisis. Changes to the University’s infrastructure are part of a set of ambitious actions to achieve a net-zero campus without relying on offsets and to ensure resilience and adaptability in the face of future climate change risks.”

Brown makes strides toward fully electrifying its vehicles, groundskeeping equipment

As the University works toward achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, decreasing air and noise pollution is part of Brown’s broader commitment to sustainability.

Read the full story

BrownConnect Fund

Providing the financial support for students to access and pursue high-quality internships and research opportunities.

Brown icon of coin stacks

$1,226,006

raised

Brown icons of people

357

donors

Alanna Zhang outside on the Brown campus


Alanna Zhang ’25

BrownConnect internship recipient

“My BrownConnect internship with Brown alumna Elizabeth Moore ’82, P’15 allowed me to work hands-on with a writer and researcher. I gained valuable experience synthesizing data and conducting archival research. These data analysis and research skills have continued to be a huge asset to me in my schoolwork and professional opportunities since.”

Authoring career journeys all their own

With the launch of the Center for Career Exploration, Brown is providing students with expanded advising, experiences, and alumni connections that will help them discover what’s next.

Read the full story

Professional Schools

Brown Medical Annual Fund

Enhancing medical education and providing resources for our students at The Warren Alpert Medical School.

White icon of coin stacks

$1,327,567

raised

White icon of people

1,379

donors

Brown icon of a stethoscope

$72,765

raised for the Advancing Diversity in Medicine Term Scholarship

Ryland Spence


Ryland Spence MD’25

financial aid recipient

“My financial aid has significantly decreased my debt burden, which allows me to honestly explore my passions in medicine without the need to consider my eventual salary. The highlight of my medical school experience so far has been third year clerkships. I’ve enjoyed the camaraderie and opportunity to get to know my classmates better.”

The making of a new Medical School tradition

The first-ever Stepping Up Celebration recognizes a major milestone for students: leaving the classroom and entering into patient care.

Read the full story

50 Years of Medicine at Brown

This year, the University concluded its 15-month celebration of the 50-year legacy and impact of medical education and research at Brown University

Watch the recap

Brown School of Public Health Annual Fund

Supporting the School of Public Health’s work in training future public health leaders, advancing knowledge on pressing health challenges, and enhancing population health and well-being for all.

Brown icon of coin stacks

$489,289

raised

Brown icon of people

255

donors

“Access to accurate, engaging health information is a crucial pathway to better health. With your support, the School of Public Health is pioneering innovative programs that build health disinformation resilience and train students, health care workers, and community organizations in helping people make sense of evidence in confusing and misleading information environments.”

Claire Wardle
Stefanie Friedhoff

Claire Wardle and Stefanie Friedhoff

Professors of the Practice of Health Services, Policy and Practice and Co-Directors, The Information Futures Lab

 

Breanna Richards

 

Breanna Richards ScM’23

School of Public Health graduate

 

“I chose the biostatistics program at Brown because everyone is so willing to help one another succeed. That’s the kind of tight-knit community that I was looking to be a part of. I am incredibly grateful for the fellowship support I received that made this experience possible.”

Preparing for the worst, informed by the best at Brown’s Pandemic Center

As the inaugural director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University’s School of Public Health, Jennifer Nuzzo is positioning Brown to lead the way forward in stopping pandemics and the harms they pose across society.

Read the full story

Brown Engineering Annual Fund

Enabling the School of Engineering to provide an exceptional learning experience, build and improve research facilities, and fund important emerging initiatives.

White icon of coin stacks

$1,715,905

raised

White icon of people

797

donors

Kimani Toussaint

 

Kimani Toussaint

Senior Associate Dean for Research and Strategic Initiatives, Thomas J. Watson Sr. Professor of Science, Director of the Brown-Lifespan Center for Digital Health

 

“With your support, the School of Engineering is leading a bold initiative to develop home health technologies that work accurately for everyone, everywhere. My lab’s work on pulse oximetry is part of that vision, using optical engineering to positively impact the most vulnerable populations and facilitate long-term health.”

 

 

“The research I’ve been working on is pH-regulating hydrogels as a vehicle for improving chemotherapeutic efficacy. This is the first time I’ve worked in a lab, and it’s really meaningful to me because cancer hits close to home. I want to be a part of research to create effective treatments for all types of cancers and, with your support, I am.”

Angelina Schorr

 

Angelina Schorr ’24

Neal Mitchell ’58 Systems Thinking Project Award recipient

Inside the Brown Design Workshop, out-of-the-box ideas come together

From bookshelves to satellites to Formula 1 car chassis, there’s no limit to what students are creating inside the University’s makerspace.

Read the full story

Athletics Annual Fund

Empowering our student-athletes to perform at the highest level in competition, the classroom, and the community through the Brown University Sports Foundation Athletics Annual Fund.

Brown icon of coin stacks

$6,581,228

raised

Brown icon of people

9,063

donors

Aaron Cooley

 

Aaron Cooley ’25

Men's Basketball

“Financial aid has allowed me to attend this University and take full advantage of everything Brown has to offer, from traveling to Panama to build a basketball court in a rural community to honing my multimedia skills in the Modern Culture and Media labs. I wanted to go to a school that promised meaningful opportunities, both athletically and academically. At Brown, I’ve found the perfect balance.”

“I chose Brown for its sense of community, prestigious academics, and historical athletic programs. The sense of community at Brown is so strong. I truly believe it’s what separates Brown from other schools. Everybody is always willing to offer a smile or lend a helping hand.”

Jade Iginla

 

Jade Iginla ’26

Women’s Ice Hockey

Reunion Giving

Every five years, alumni honor their enduring connection to Brown with a special contribution to their Reunion Class Gift. Taken together, Reunion contributions to the Brown Annual Fund represent a substantial portion of the total Brown Annual Fund impact.

$25,137,424

raised

largest ever Reunion Class Gift

4,213

donors

made a Reunion Class Gift

  • Includes cash, pledges, and qualifying gifts.

 

Class Year Reunion Class Gift Donors Participation
1953 $49,910 38 19.60%
1958 $369,710 124 34.90%
1963 $541,546 297 61%
1968 $1,457,653 207 31.50%
1973 $3,152,703 336 36.60%
1978 $3,020,210 321 27.20%
1983 $4,596,830 365 29.80%
1988 $4,247,819 406 30.80%
1993 $3,027,199 469 33.50%
1998 $2,303,642 433 30.20%
2003 $1,561,807 440 29.00%
2008 $557,005 294 20.00%
2013 $277,915 257 18.00%
2018 $22,406 226 21.00%

Reunion 2023 Fundraising Records

  • 10 Reunion classes set new Reunion Class Gift records.
  • 15 Reunion alumni made a planned gift designated to the Brown Annual Fund during their Reunion year, garnering an additional $3.9 million to the Reunion Class Gift through these legacy contributions.

Reunion 2023

Reunion Weekend brought a record-breaking 5,000+ alumni and guests to campus for a memorable celebration with Brunonians across the generations.

Read the full story

Parent & Family Giving

At Brown, we owe much of our success to the generosity and support of our families. Our parent and family giving program is recognized as one of the most productive in the country and is a consistent generator of our community’s continued strength.

White icon of coin stacks

$9,654,840

raised

(non-alumni parents & families)

White icon of people

6,808

donors

(non-alumni parents & families)

Brown icon of a pie chart representing 19 percent

nearly 19%

of all Annual Fund gifts

made by non-alumni parents

A Message from the Parents Leadership Council Chairs

Parents play a pivotal role in sustaining and bolstering Brown’s mission of academic excellence, intellectual freedom, and student diversity. Brown wouldn’t be where it is today without the generosity of our families, and we continue to be inspired by the tremendous commitment of dedicated supporters like you. Thank you for supporting The Parents Annual Fund and being a valued member of this philanthropic community.

Pamela Tillinghast Dubitsky and Alexander Dubitsky

Pamela Tillinghast Dubitsky P’23, P’26
Alexander Dubitsky P’23, P’26

Leadership Giving

The Carrie Tower Society honors donors who step forward as philanthropic leaders for Brown through their Brown Annual Fund contributions. The generosity of society members allows the University financial flexibility and the ability to respond to the most pressing needs.

$44,975,784

raised

by Carrie Tower Society members

88.5%

of Brown Annual Fund dollars

raised by Carrie Tower Society members

Andrew Chan

Donor Spotlight

Andrew Chan ’92, P’27

What inspires you to give back to Brown?

My Brown experience has been instrumental in shaping my professional and personal life. On College Hill, I discovered my passions, made lifelong connections, and developed the skills to become a lifelong learner. My professors were more than just teachers: they were lifelong mentors and sponsors who offered me guidance and support that were instrumental in my academic and personal growth. Giving back to Brown is my expression of gratitude and hope that future generations will also have the opportunity to be shaped and molded by the Brown experience.

What does being a Brunonian mean to you?

Being a Brunonian means feeling a part of a global community which has a rich history of academic excellence coupled with a commitment to making meaningful contributions to the world in unique and innovative ways.

 

Stephanie and James Buckhouse

Donor Spotlight

Stephanie Jun ’95 and James Buckhouse ’96

What inspires you to give back to Brown?

Brown remains the best place for students to approach complex problems by combining seemingly disparate or disconnected fields. A student studying biology might leverage concepts from semiotics. A student studying computer science might use concepts from music theory. This path of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and ingenuity starts at Brown, and then spreads with each graduating class.

What does being a Brunonian mean to you?

Being a Brunonian means embodying an ethos of intellectual curiosity, quick kindness, and a joyful willingness to seek constellations when everyone else is shooting for stars.

 

Bhavan Suri

Donor Spotlight

Bhavan S. Suri ’98

What inspires you to give back to Brown?

For 25 years, I have been continuously impressed with our students’ attitude, empathy, ability to take risk, innovation, and knowledge; an outcome of the treasured Brown education and experience. I give to the University to sustain that outcome—that it is accessible to those of all backgrounds and socioeconomic means.

Leaders

donors who’ve made gifts

of $10K or more*

$37.6M

raised

1,134

donors

Partners

donors who’ve made gifts

of $1,500 – $9,999*

$7.5M

raised

2,510

donors

Why we love Brown

From cherished moments to life-changing experiences, Brunonians share why Brown holds a special place in their hearts.

Read the full story

Recognizing Our Volunteers

Peer-to-peer advocacy is the engine of Brown’s annual giving program. Annual giving volunteers amplify the impact of the Brown Annual Fund by asking friends, classmates, alumni, students, and family members to join them in support of the University’s annual, current-use initiatives. The following volunteers, listed here by committee and council, make the success of the Annual Fund possible.

Reunion Committees

Alumni Class Committees

Leadership Committees