Coming soon – New BFI communication tools.
We are excited to roll out a new communication structure for the Brown Foundation. As the BF family grows, it becomes even more important that we find creative ways to engage, communicate, and share information with all BFI members. At the same time, we want to streamline the total volume of BFI communications that you receive. From this point forward, you will receive three types of communications from BFI:
- The Joy Factor. This semi-annual communication is designed to share more about BFI’s impact in the community and offer resources to learn about our grantees and community-wide issues. The Joy Factor is informational only: no action items, no deadlines, and consume it whenever you wish. Each issue will be archived at a private weblink that you can read any time. Be on the lookout for the first “Joy Factor” to hit your inbox early next week.
- The Monthly Minute. As the name indicates, this will be a monthly “round-up” of things happening at the Brown Foundation, such as announcements, key dates, engagement opportunities, links to meeting minutes, and other updates. Our goal is to give you a single, comprehensive monthly email, a “one stop shop” for things you need to know about BFI. Here again, we’ll archive the “Monthly Minutes” on a webpage that you can refer to at any time.
- Action Alerts. Finally, when there is something time-sensitive that requires immediate action on your part (e.g., an important deadline), we will send a short “alert” email.
DAF final reminders.
Some of you already have completed your DAF distributions for the year. If you still have a balance remaining, @Ivanna Raudales will be sending individual reminders as we approach the deadline.
Denial memo.
As we do each month, we are sharing a list of organizations that have applied for a grant and been declined. As per our normal procedure, please review and let Robert know if you would like more information on any of these pre-applications. If you would like a request to be taken into consideration at a future meeting (with the support of an additional foundation member), please let @Robert Sepeda know by Wednesday, June 25, 2025. After that date we will assume you concur with the recommendations, and we will communicate the status to the applicants.
Happy family news.
Finally, at Maria Mathis’s request, I am sharing some happy news about the birth of the newest member of the Brown Foundation, Alice Wilda. Please see a note from Maria below and a picture of baby Alice.
From Maria:
We’re thrilled to announce the early (and slightly dramatic) arrival of our daughter:
Alice Wilda
Born: Friday, June 13, 2025 (because why not make an entrance on Friday the 13th?)
Gestational Age: 34 weeks + 6 days
Stats: 5 lbs 15 oz | 18 inches
Alice was evicted a bit ahead of schedule due to preeclampsia — clearly, she was living rent-free for too long.
She’s currently spending some time in the NICU while her lungs get caught up on training, but she’s already hitting all her milestones like a champ and will be home soon.
With love,
Maria & Tyler
