Every new year brings opportunities to drive progress, challenges to meet head-on, and moments that shape the future.
And if over 260 years of history have taught us one thing, it’s that Brunonians always rise to the occasion.
One of the most immediate ways to help Brown students and faculty is by giving to the Brown Annual Fund—which is a family of funds, designed so you can shape your giving around what matters most to you. The Brown Annual Fund delivers current-use funding across the University, which means your gift starts creating results right away.
Here are eight ways you can make an immediate impact through your end-of-year giving to the Brown Annual Fund. No matter what you choose to invest in, you will make a difference for Brown students, our nation, and the world.
1. Help exceptional students from all backgrounds find their place on College Hill.
You know the difference a Brown education makes—now, it’s your turn to pay it forward and help open doors for the next generation.
As the primary vehicle for unrestricted support, The Brown Fund provides vital funding where it’s most needed—including for financial aid. Your gift to The Brown Fund can help the University keep its promise to meet 100% of every undergraduate student’s demonstrated need. That means the most talented students from all backgrounds will be able to become Brunonians.
2. Change lives by empowering researchers to find cures for disease and breakthroughs in technology.
Groundbreaking research and innovation is happening every day at Brown. At the Warren Alpert Medical School, scientists are studying diseases and aging in ways that will change the way we approach treatments. At the School of Public Health, the world’s future public health leaders are being trained on the most urgent challenges, including pandemic preparedness. And at the School of Engineering, faculty and students are working on technological breakthroughs that will improve lives.
By supporting our schools, you can ensure Brown continues to provide a world-class education and cutting-edge research opportunities.
3. Help our student-athletes to perform at the highest level in competition and the classroom.
You can make sure the Brown Bears have all the resources they need to succeed—from the best coaches, to equipment and technology that enhances practices and games, to travel opportunities, and much more.
It takes a team effort—your support will enhance every part of the student-athlete experience, and help move Brown’s championship-level athletics programs forward.
4. Cultivate a fully diverse and inclusive community of scholars at Brown.
Diversity is essential for an academic community dedicated to making a positive impact through its mission.
You can foster academic excellence by supporting the Pathways to Diversity and Inclusion Fund, or one of Brown’s affinity scholarships, which include the Inman Page Black Alumni Council (IPC) Brown Annual Fund (BAF) Scholarship, the Mercedes Domenech Brown University Latino Alumni Council (BULAC) Brown Annual Fund (BAF) Scholarship, and the International Brown Annual Fund Scholarship.
- Pathways to Diversity & Inclusion Fund
- IPC Brown Annual Fund Scholarship
- BULAC Brown Annual Fund Scholarship
- International Brown Annual Fund Scholarship
5. Promote an active dialogue on the most challenging questions facing today’s humanities scholars.
With a gift to the new Humanities Fund, you can help Brown’s humanities departments build and share knowledge about culture, expression, and other core aspects of the human experience.
Your gift will help foster a vibrant humanities community by enhancing the resources and mentorship offered to students, as well as the opportunities for faculty and students to pursue and disseminate research and scholarly work.
6. Prepare the next generation of global policymakers and leaders.
The Thomas J. Watson Jr. School of International and Public Affairs is cultivating a community at Brown that is committed to advancing research and teaching to address the most urgent policy challenges around the world.
Your gift to the new Watson School Annual Fund will help expand faculty, create a vibrant network of policy practitioners, develop leading educational programs, and grow vitally important research centers and initiatives.
7. Expand academic exploration beyond the classroom.
Academic exploration is one of the hallmarks of a Brown education—and through the BrownConnect Fund, we're able to ensure this freedom extends far beyond the classroom.
Your gift will help provide undergraduates with summer internship and research opportunities, as well as financial support to pursue their academic and professional goals while solving real-world problems.
8. Support Brown’s campus sustainability efforts.
With our global environment facing challenges of unprecedented scope and complexity, Brown looks to take a leadership role in sustainability and resiliency.
Your gift to the Campus Sustainability Fund will help Brown create a more sustainable campus and future, moving us toward net-zero emissions.