A look back at what your support made possible during Fiscal Year 2023-24.
A look back at what your support made possible during Fiscal Year 2023-24.
For the third consecutive year, donor support of the Brown Annual Fund has reached new heights. The enduring commitment of our donor community powers all that Brown makes possible, propelling the University–and the world–forward.
Thank you for your 2023-24 contributions to the Annual Fund. With your support, you made a direct and immediate impact on the areas at Brown that mean the most to you. In this report you will see the tangible impact of your philanthropy.
This Year’s Impact
total raised
total donors
A Message From The Brown Annual Fund Co-Chairs
During a challenging year for higher education across the globe, we are so incredibly grateful for your support. To reach a new record for the Brown Annual Fund last year is a testament to the power and dedication of our community of Annual Fund donors. For the first time, contributions to the Annual Fund totaled over $51 million thanks to 29,815 donors. It’s an honor to be a part of this success alongside you. Together, our community is affirming its steadfast commitment to the continued excellence of Brown and the vital importance of its mission.
With your support last year, you sparked discovery in the lab, launched the careers of Brown’s students, made strides towards a carbon-neutral campus, created a diverse community where all are welcome, propelled Brown athletics to the national stage, and provided the life-changing financial aid that makes it all possible. Thank you for all you do for Brown. We hope you share our sense of pride as you read through this year’s Brown Annual Fund Impact Report. Through Brown, you are making the world a better place.
Earl E. Hunt, II ’03
Jennifer Moses ’83, P’18
Donna McGraw Weiss ’89, P’25, P’27 MD’31
From academics to campus-wide programs to financial aid, supporting the University where it’s most needed.
dollars
donors
Brown’s total budget for financial aid
Financial aid was a major deciding factor when saying yes to Brown. I come from a single parent home with two college-age siblings where every cent is allocated and accounted for. Four years of available and guaranteed on-campus housing, continued support from the Book/Course Material Support (BCMS) Program, and access to opportunities like the Undergraduate Teaching and Research Awards (UTRA) lessen the burden of extra expenses that a college education in a metropolitan area incurs. Coming to Brown has changed my life, opening doors to pursuits I never imagined would be possible for someone like me.
Pathways to Diversity and Inclusion Fund
Helping Brown foster a truly inclusive campus by providing creative programming and opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students in support of Brown’s diversity and inclusion action plan.
dollars
donors
My experience with the Gender and Sexuality Peer Counselor Program has been pivotal to my time at Brown. Coming in, I was hesitant about my abilities to find a community on campus. Since finding and working with the Sarah Doyle Center and LGBTQ Center, I have gained more confidence in my identity and in myself as a community leader. The program has allowed me to extrapolate the intersections between gender and sexuality in my academic studies, encouraging me to explore my intellectual passions through new lenses.
“So That We May Write and Be Heard,” on view at Stonewall House, unearths and expands on a decades-old collection of collaborative journals written by students at Brown, and adds alumni reflections.
Campus Sustainability Fund
Reducing our carbon footprint and making Brown a net-zero energy campus.
dollars
donors
Stemming from Brown’s Sustainability Strategic Plan and the integration of climate resiliency into the Office of Sustainability & Resiliency’s mission, 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 with minimal reliance on offsets and to ensure resiliency and adaptability in the face of future climate change risks.
I really love working with the Office of Sustainability. I enjoy how the office integrates data with people, engaging with the campus community in sustainability efforts, such as Clean Break. As climate change becomes a serious issue, striving for net-zero emissions is essential in mitigating its impact. The goal towards net-zero also provides opportunities for people like me to apply my skills to contribute to a healthier planet.
Dry Bridge Solar ProjectBrown is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2040, with 75% reductions by 2025.
BrownConnect Fund
Providing the financial support for students to access and pursue high-quality internships and research opportunities.
dollars
donors
of undergraduate alumni 10 years out say Brown prepared them for their current career
of undergraduate alumni 10 years out are in a director or manager role
The BrownConnect program has been extremely generous and helpful, allowing me to become involved in a variety of research projects, from robotics to geosciences and aerospace engineering. My spring 2024 project was connected to NASA, which recently approved a PRISM (Payloads and Research Investigations on the Surface of the Moon) robotic mission to the moon carrying the DIMPLE (Dating an Irregular Mare Patch with a Lunar Explorer) rover to the Ina Patch. Professor James Head is one of the principal co-investigators for this research project and has been instrumental in helping me become more involved in the aerospace and space sciences industry with his guidance and his advice on how to kickstart a career with NASA!
As Brown’s Cogut Institute for the Humanities prepares to move into Andrews House, the institute engaged two undergraduates in a semester-long research internship to explore the building’s history and significance.
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.
dollars
donors
When I was younger, Brown seemed like an unattainable dream. However, as a financial aid recipient, I had a community to support me and help me grow in ways the kid I used to be couldn’t imagine. Without the burden of financial hardships, I was able to explore my academic interests, volunteer at various organizations, and develop amazing relationships with my peers and professors. It is because of my financial aid that I not only see success in my future, but also joy and fulfillment.
total IPC BAF Scholars as of 2023-2024
Events like Bruno on the Vineyard and the 2023 Black Alumni Reunion have brought the Black alumni community together in large numbers—and shown the power of their philanthropy.
New this year
Mercedes Domenech Brown University Latino 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 remarkable Latinx students at Brown.
dollars
donors
During my career at Brown and even after, many of you learned that I am a strong advocate for enriching Brown’s campus with students from diverse backgrounds. All the relationships formed from this important work continue to grow and hold such a special place in my heart. As I reflect on the scholarship that the Brown University Latino Alumni Council (BULAC) renamed after me, I am deeply grateful to all the donors who help today’s talented Latinx students with scholarship funding. You are making their path to being tomorrow’s leaders a little easier. Because of you, they know that a welcoming community at Brown is here to help them thrive and succeed!
During a joyful event in May, more than 70 Brunonians came together to share stories, catch up, and celebrate her impact on Brown’s Latinx community.
New this year
International Brown Annual Fund Scholarship
Making a Brown education more accessible to students from across the globe by providing financial support to bring the world’s most talented students to College Hill.
dollars
donors
International students bring a critical global perspective to College Hill, and the generosity of our financial aid will now allow us to consider the most talented students from around the world without regard to their ability to pay the cost of tuition.
In a major step toward expanded access, the University met its ambitious $120 million fundraising goal to launch need-blind admission for international students beginning with the Class of 2029.
Brown Medical Annual Fund
Enhancing medical education and providing resources for our students at The Warren Alpert Medical School.
dollars
donors
Advancing Diversity in Medicine Term Scholarship
As a result of my rich undergraduate research experiences, I decided to apply for Brown’s MD/PhD program, specifically in computational biology. The MD/PhD program is nationally recognized for its education in the liberal arts, which is supplemented by The Warren Alpert Medical School’s commitment to preparing medical students for careers dedicated to equitable patient care and health equity. As a result, I continued conducting research in health equity throughout medical school while leveraging my computational skills through the Scholarly Concentration Program, an elective program allowing medical students to pursue rigorous study of a cross-disciplinary field.
At Match Day 2024, students from The Warren Alpert Medical School celebrated the next stage of their careers and their lives.
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.
dollars
donors
Health Equity Scholars Program Fund
NEW THIS YEAR
Pandemics always bring surprises and, therefore, there is no such thing as perfect preparedness. But when we do not use experts, science and systems to stop or mitigate the spread of novel pathogens, our failure is not technical but moral. Human lives are at stake. These deaths can be prevented.
Having a physical presence in Washington, D.C., the heart of our nation’s capital, is critically important for a school that is positioning itself as a leader in policy translation on a variety of topics. Support from the Brown community has made this possible and will continue to help us train the next generation of public health leaders.
The Health Equity Scholars program has provided me with resources and tools to develop my leadership skills, taught me that a public health approach is critical in promoting health, preventing diseases and giving people their own power over their health, and prepared me for a career in research and public health initiatives that will have a positive impact on people from historically excluded communities.
A newly opened Washington base for the Pandemic Center at Brown’s School of Public Health will expand impact and connect current and future public health leaders with national and global policymakers.
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.
dollars
donors
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Engineering Fund
We all live in a built environment, depending on new engineering solutions every day. Each donation to the Engineering Annual Fund gives us a freedom and charge to innovate in research and education for health, sustainability, and equity for all.
Last fall, thanks to your generous support, I presented my research on improving the stability of graphene oxide composite films for protective barrier applications at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Conference in Florida. My presentation won an award in the materials engineering and science category and I was able to connect with students with similar interests and professionals in the field. The experience I gained and connections I made were invaluable and I am so grateful for the opportunity.
Each summer, thousands of high school students study on campus and around the globe in Brown’s Pre-College Programs, which offer intensive academics, cultural immersion, research experiences and more.
Empowering our student-athletes to perform at the highest level in competition, the classroom, and the community.
dollars
donors
To be a student-athlete at Brown is to be a leader by action. I chose Brown because of the Open Curriculum, which has allowed me to explore my options for a STEM degree as well as my curiosity in the humanities. Outside of the classroom, my coaches have helped me reach heights in swimming I never thought possible.
My first year as a student-athlete at Brown exceeded my expectations. I was able to learn so much both in the classroom and on the field, with the unlimited support of my teammates, coaches, and professors. The experience of juggling a Division I sport with rigorous classes has allowed me to develop crucial life skills, and being a student-athlete at Brown has provided me with an unprecedented community of peers who are going through similar experiences and are a source of support and motivation.
From Italy to the Dominican Republic to Australia, several Brown varsity teams traveled abroad this past year, competing against international talent and providing student-athletes with once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
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.
raised
Reunion Class Gift donors
| Class Year | Reunion Class Gift | Donors | Participation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | $72,221 | 33 | 17.40% |
| 1959 | $81,190 | 100 | 26.80% |
| 1964 | $502,397 | 200 | 36.30% |
| 1969 | $695,169 | 241 | 34.58% |
| 1974 | $2,337,165 | 374 | 40% |
| 1979 | $1,430,661 | 341 | 29% |
| 1984 | $775,568 | 436 | 32.80% |
| 1989 | $1,578,996 | 398 | 29.72% |
| 1994 | $2,009,248 | 413 | 30.57% |
| 1999 | $1,736,499 | 468 | 34.90% |
| 2004 | $714,836 | 361 | 25.70% |
| 2009 | $167,984 | 288 | 21.10% |
| 2014 | $139,184 | 240 | 18.15% |
| 2019 | $35,534 | 185 | 17.05% |
Brown’s big weekend offers graduation ceremonies, alumni reunions and a multitude of other opportunities for graduates, alumni, family and friends to honor accomplishments and reunite.
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.
raised
(non-alumni parents & families)
donors
(non-alumni parents & families)
of all Annual Fund gifts
made by non-alumni parents
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.
The Brown parent community supports the University’s goals of integrative scholarship, educational leadership, academic excellence, campus development, and strengthening research capabilities across all fields of study. We are proud to be Brown parents and hope you can join us in a leadership role by giving to The Parents Fund and joining the Parents Leadership Council.
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.
raised
by Carrie Tower Society members
of Brown Annual Fund dollars
raised by Carrie Tower Society members
donors who’ve made gifts
of $10K or more*
Leader dollars
Leader donors
donors who’ve made gifts
of $1,500 – $9,999*
Partner dollars
Partner donors
* Young alumni are recognized as Carrie Tower Society members at discounted giving levels.
Brown has become very close to our hearts through both our son's experience as a student and our experience as parents. He has pursued and expanded his existing interests, discovered new and exciting challenges, and grown as a person. Brown offers so many opportunities to students, as well as fellow students, professors, and other leaders who provide guidance and mentorship. Giving to Brown is our way of saying thank you for the positive impact the University is having on our family and families around the world. We are deeply committed to Brown and our engagement with the Annual Fund and are honored to offer our Leadership support so that Brown may continue to provide life-changing opportunities to current and future students.
Volunteering for Brown is very rewarding. The University is very dear to me and is my philanthropic priority. While it's been decades since I walked through the Van Wickle Gates, the lessons, friendship, mentorship and life experience I garnered while at Brown remain with me. Those precious experiences are in all of us as Brown alumni; as an alumni volunteer, it's a joy to remind other alums of all that Brown has given us. We are a very diverse alumni community in so many ways — and part of the wonder of this work is helping alumni to remember those fond memories of our time on College Hill and to reconnect with the Brown community.
From cherished moments to life-changing experiences, Brunonians share why Brown holds a special place in their hearts.
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.
Leadership Committees
Reunion Committees
Alumni Class Committees
Student Committees