↑ parent cluster · ·
research dossier →

THOMAS R BROWN FOUNDATION

TUCSON, AZ · EIN 460512598 · Form 990PF · FY2022 · NTEE V22 · Social Science · Micro (<$100K) · brownfoundations.com
revenue
$29K
expenses
$400K
net assets
$2.0M
employees
filing since
2020
profile · synthesized from sources

The Thomas R. Brown Foundations support education, economic literacy, and civic leadership in Arizona, inspired by the legacy of Thomas R. Brown, founder of Burr-Brown Corporation. The foundation focuses on long-term, data-driven initiatives that promote self-determination, productivity, and quality of life for Arizonans. It funds endowed academic positions, teacher training, STEM education, and leadership development programs, primarily in southern Arizona.

named programs · 6 · from sources

what they call their work

Arizona Assurance Program
Provides scholarships to first-generation college students at the University of Arizona
Center of Excellence in Applied Technology
Funds facilities and programs at Pima Community College for workforce training in applied technology
Econiful
Supports K-12 economic and financial literacy education across Arizona
Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy
Develops next-generation leaders for Arizona government through leadership training and fellowship programs
University of Arizona Endowed Chairs and Professors
Supports seven endowed professorships in science, engineering, business, and optics at the University of Arizona to advance research and education
University of Arizona Office of Economic Education
Provides professional development for K-12 teachers in economic principles
activities · 8

what they do

direct service · 5
  • Endows professorships at the University of Arizona Targeted Educational Scholarships
    Supports seven endowed chairs at the University of Arizona in fields including biomedical engineering, management and technology, geosciences, integrative science, electrical and computer engineering, optical sciences, and leadership roles in key academic departments.
  • Funds equipment and facilities for career and technical education programs Targeted Educational Scholarships
    Provides grants to Pima Community College to support the Center of Excellence in Applied Technology and funds healthcare training facilities and equipment; also supports industrial technology equipment at Pima JTED.
  • Grants support for K-12 STEM education and learning innovation
    Provides grants to support innovative K-12 STEM learning initiatives, aiming to enhance science, technology, engineering, and math education at the primary and secondary levels.
  • Provides scholarships and graduate fellowships through endowments Targeted Educational Scholarships
    Offers endowment-funded scholarships and graduate fellowships, including support for first-generation college students via the Arizona Assurance Program at the University of Arizona and industrial technology programs at Pima JTED.
  • Restricts grantmaking to IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations Fiscal Sponsorship Services
    Provides grants exclusively to organizations that are legally incorporated and recognized by the IRS as 501(c)(3) nonprofits, ensuring compliance with federal charitable giving standards.
capacity building · 3
  • Builds capacity of K-12 educators in economic education
    Established the University of Arizona Office of Economic Education and Econiful to deliver professional development programs for K-12 teachers in economic principles.
  • Develops civic leadership capacity in Arizona
    Supports the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy, a program designed to develop leadership skills among individuals serving in Arizona government.
  • Facilitates nonprofit collaboration and literacy initiatives Career Pathways Development & Workforce Alignment
    Played a foundational role in creating Literacy Connects, which unified five Tucson-based literacy nonprofits to expand adult and family literacy services.
strategies · 5

how they think

Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any approach shared with other orgs to see the full field.

  • Education and civic engagement for community development education_and_engagement_for_community_development unique to this org
    The foundation supports education and civic engagement as key drivers of economic opportunity and community improvement, aligning with its broader goals of enhancing productivity and quality of life.
  • Empowerment through self-determination empowerment unique to this org
    The foundation operates on the belief that individuals, when empowered and informed, will act in their own enlightened long-term self-interest, leading to greater self-determination, productivity, and improved life choices.
  • Responsible and principled stewardship responsible_stewardship unique to this org
    The foundation commits to responsible grantmaking by adhering to best practices, maintaining strong processes, building competent teams, and upholding core values of honesty, respect, and public accountability in its operations.
  • Restricted grantmaking to qualified nonprofits restricted_grantmaking unique to this org
    The foundation limits its funding to IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organizations as a core part of its grantmaking methodology, ensuring compliance and focused impact.
  • Values-based strategic philanthropy strategic_philanthropy unique to this org
    The foundation directs grantmaking toward underfunded areas critical to productivity and quality of life—such as transportation, tax reform, water policy, education, and economics—guided by the founder's mission to "provide something of value to mankind" and a commitment to nonpartisan, data-driven analysis of public policy issues.
financials · form 990PF · fy2022

the money

revenue
Total revenue$29K
Contributions & grants$00%
Program service revenue
Investment income$82K288%
Other revenue$-54K
expenses
Total expenses$400K
Program expenses
Admin / overhead
Fundraising
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$21K
balance sheet
Total assets$1.99M
Cash
Investments
Liabilities
Net assets$1.97M
3 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue -98.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

board members · 2
  • BARBARA GRAY — TRUSTEE
  • DAN JANES — TRUSTEE
relationships · 13

who they work with

  • Community Foundation for Southern Arizona Partner — Partnered to facilitate the creation of Literacy Connects.
  • Econiful Partner — Established this organization to provide professional development to K-12 teachers.
  • Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy Partner — Supports this program designed to develop state leaders in Arizona government.
  • Literacy Connects Partner — Facilitated the creation of this organization by uniting five Tucson literacy nonprofits.
  • Page Burr Partner — Co-founder of Burr-Brown Research Corporation with Tom Brown.
  • Peter Likins Partner — Former President of the University of Arizona, who introduced Thomas R. Brown at an awards event and provided a quote about him.
  • Pima Community College Partner — Provided grants to support the Center of Excellence in Applied Technology and fund healthcare training programs.
  • Pima JTED Partner — Supports scholarships and equipment for industrial technology programs at this regional public career and technical education district.
  • Texas Instruments Partner — Acquired Burr-Brown in 2000 and continues to maintain design and test functions in Tucson.
  • Tom Troup Partner — Close friend and Vice Chairman of Burr-Brown, who moved to Tucson to support Tom Brown.
  • University of Arizona Partner — Endowed seven professorships and supports the Arizona Assurance Program at the university.
  • University of Arizona Partner — Supports endowed chairs and professorships at the university.
  • University of Arizona Office of Economic Education Partner — Established this office to provide professional development to K-12 teachers.