Our Mission
The Brown University Sports Foundation is committed to providing financial support to ensure a quality athletic experience for the Brown student-athlete and the entire Brown community by: Raising funds for both Endowment and current Annual Use in support of the 37 Varsity and 7 Club sports at Brown, one of the most extensive sports programs in the country.
Promoting additional fundraising for general use athletic facilities and programs which provide for the well being and fitness of the Brown community.
Developing an espirit de corps among alumni, parents, and other friends of Brown athletics, thus fostering their propensity to support the University and its various athletic endeavors.
Brown strives for excellence in all of its endeavors, and athletics is a vital part of the total University program. The Sports Foundation, through its fundraising support, allows the athletic department to provide the best possible opportunity to excel for Brown's student-athletes. The Brown Sports Foundation (BUSF) is charged with raising both current Annual Use funds and Endowment monies in support of Brown's athletic teams.
In addition to raising money for individual sports, the BUSF also is charged with garnering philanthropy for athletic facilities and equipment projects (Pizzitola Sports Center, Marston Boathouse renovation, new general use fitness equipment in OMAC, etc.), for unrestricted athletic support, for Women's Athletics, and for special trips and projects. We are also committed to the continued improvement of intramural and University fitness programs and facilities for the benefit of the entire Brown community.
Our Philosophy
Central to our efforts on behalf of the Brown sports program is an underlying philosophy that athletics is a critical part of the overall educational and University experience for student-athletes as well as the entire Brown community.
We believe strongly that the demands put on our students in the classroom, should in no way detract from their desire to excel at a national and international level in athletics. The Sports Foundation believes that it is incumbent upon us to provide Brown's student-athletes with every possible opportunity to succeed. We also believe in providing the greatest possible opportunities for participation, because whether the student-athlete is an All-American, All-Ivy, or simply fulfilling a dream of being a member of a Division I Intercollegiate team, the student-athlete will learn lessons that will last a lifetime.
Our Volunteer Leadership
The Sports Foundation has a very loyal and extensive volunteer support structure that is the bedrock of our success.
This volunteer base begins with a Board of Directors, a 36-member group, made up of the most philanthropic and devoted of Brown's athletic supporters. This group meets three times per year and works with the staff to address major strategic issues and participates in the cultivation and solicitation of high-level prospects. The BUSF Executive Committee, made up of the Board's six officers and four at-large Board Members, meets each month and takes a more active role in the planning of BUSF events and solicitation strategies.
The BUSF Board of Advisors (60 members) recognizes consistent and generous support to Brown athletics and is the group from which new Directors are usually chosen. The Board of Advisors receives all of the Executive Director's communications to the Board of Directors, so as to keep them up to date on the latest activities and progress of the Sports Foundation.
Finally, each sport at Brown is supported by a Friends Association (41 in all), each of which has a President and officers who help cultivate and raise funds from each sport's constituency of alumni/ae, parents, and friends. In conjunction with the Sports Foundation, each Friends Association, at a minimum, publishes three newsletters annually, holds one team phonathon, and sponsors at least one alumni/ae social, game, or reunion per year. Each Friends Association varies in its size and activities depending upon the level of support and number of constituents in each sport. In all, more than 200 alumni/ae, parents, and friends are involved in the leadership of the Friends Associations.
