Brown University's Inman Page Black Alumni Council

In March of 2008, Brown launched a new fundraising initiative as part of the Campaign for Academic Enrichment -- a Campaign that recognizes diversity as a central element of the University's mission, its daily operations, and its vision for the future.  Boldly Brown: The Alumni of Color Initiative was created to not only uphold diversity at Brown, but to ensure that it remains a fundamental value of the institution in the years to come.  In the fall of 2008, a letter about the Initiative was mailed out to all alumni of color.  It highlights the 1968 walkout, an early example of student activism by African Americans at Brown, which ushered in the changes we see on campus today.  We encourage you to read it and consider making a gift to support the Alumni of Color (AOC) Initiative.

The four main elements of the AOC Initiative are current use support through the  Annual Fund Investment in Diversity, which provides financial aid with a preference for students of color; and perpetual support through the Third World Transition Program Endowment ($1 million goal); individual IPC endowed scholarships ($250,000 each); and endowed departmental support for Africana Studies ($100,000+ goal).  Once the endowments are fully funded, they become self-sustaining, meaning that they are no longer subject to budget constraints.  It ensures that the funds will always be available for the program or department into perpetuity.

Results from January - October 2008

As Brown alumni, it is imperative that we help current and future African-American students.  In President Ruth Simmon's speech at the Alumni of Color kick-off in New York City on April 9th, she reminded us that "Now is the time to set the pace at our alma mater. We must move away from the margins and take center stage to address questions of race, diversity and the direction in which Brown is headed".

To make a donation online, please visit the Boldly Brown website at

https://gifts.development.brown.edu/

If you are a registered member of Brown Alumni Online, you can log in, if not just click on “Give Now“.  At the top of the page you can designate your gift to the Brown Annual Fund Investment in Diversity, and then scroll down to the bottom of the page to the 'Boldly Brown: The Alumni of Color Initiative' section to make an endowment gift.  Your contribution can be designated for an IPC Endowed Scholarship, the Third World Transition Program (TWTP), and departmental support for Africana Studies (Rites & Reason and Slavery & Justice).

Periodic Contributions: To schedule periodic contributions on a weekly or monthly basis, choose "Recurring Gift" under Giving Preferences on the second page.

Company Matched Donations: Make an even larger impact; see if your company will match your donation with the GiftPlus Online Search at http://www.matchinggifts.com/brown/.  If your company has a matching program, the search will give you details of the procedure and a contact phone number.

Did you know…

• All contributions to the Initiative make a direct impact on the education and experience of an African-American student.
• Currently, only 28% of African-American alumni contribute to Brown, the goal is to reach 35% participation rate by the end of the campaign in 2010.  Increased giving by alums carries a great deal of leverage.  The key is to give something – no gift is too small.
• If the African-American alumni pooled our financial resources, it would give us a much-needed voice to set the pace at Brown.  If most African-American alumni contributed a $100 to 150 gift (every year for three years), we could endow the Third World Transition Program (TWTP).

For other ways to give, click here:

Questions?

Please take advantage of the convenient tools available to make contributions to Brown.  If you have any questions about the Alumni of Color Initiative or the Campaign for Academic Enrichment, please refer to the FAQ or contact us at contact@inmanpagecouncil.com.

Don’t delay!  Donate today!  We can make a difference together.

Thanks in advance for your support!