Brown provided $17 million in voluntary payments, community contributions to Providence in FY24

Strengthening communities through in-kind support

In addition to direct financial contributions and volunteer support, Brown provided significant in-kind donations of services, goods, physical space and other resources that directly benefited the city and its residents. In FY24, the value of Brown's in-kind contributions totaled $163,303, supporting new workforce development programs, initiatives to support local K-12 students, opportunities for Providence families, donations of food, clothes, and books to local charitable organizations, and more.

College Day at Brown, which marked its third year this past spring is one example of in-kind support offered by the University. The college access program was created in 2022 to give Providence-area high school students a glimpse into everyday life as a college undergraduate. In April 2024, hundreds of local teens representing 17 Providence-area high schools explored Brown's campus, joining classes, athletic programs and community engagement opportunities. Participants took campus tours, interacted one-on-one with Brown students, staff and faculty, engaged in hands-on learning experiences, enjoyed lunch and listened to panel discussions on topics including the admissions process.

From scholarships for local students to partnerships with K-12 schools to support for public infrastructure and city-serving nonprofits, the "Community Contributions on the City of Providence " report published by Brown highlighted some of the key ways in which the University's community contributions supported the city in FY24, breaking down Brown's $11.9 million in community contributions according to the 11 categories established in the MOU between the city and the four colleges and universities.

Among other contributions, Brown also paid $3.2 million in municipal property taxes, contributed $183,575 to support the revitalization of parks, sidewalks and shared green spaces, and provided $67,167 to local district management authorities.

"What this report does not detail is the even greater economic impact the University has based on its role as an anchor institution," the report stated. "For example, Brown's payroll for employees who live in Providence alone totals $190 million over the same period, reflecting its role as a top employer of local and state residents. The University also injects hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy each year through research spending, visitors to campus, investments in new building projects, entrepreneurial startups and spin-offs based on Brown academic work - important impacts that benefit the city, yet ones that are distinct from the University's direct payments and contributions.

"Ultimately, the report offers a look at one important way in which Brown contributes to the city it calls home, among a much greater set of overall positive impacts."