Background and Vision

Our guiding principles and strategies are inspired by the life of Thomas R. Brown and the company he created, Burr-Brown Corporation. Its corporate purpose was "to provide something of value to mankind"; we continue this mission through The Thomas R. Brown Foundations.

Burr-Brown was an economic driver for Tucson and Arizona and employed thousands of southern Arizonans in interesting jobs that paid high wages relative to many other jobs in the community. The workforce was diverse, and customers spanned the globe. There was an employee stock-sharing program that allowed employees to participate in ownership of the company, and many of them gained significantly when the company was sold. We would like to re-create opportunities like this for future generations of Arizonans.

A healthy community and healthy business environment depend on an educated citizenry and a well-functioning public sector. We have an unfailing commitment to advancing these goals in a strictly nonpartisan manner, guided by data, rigorous analysis, and inclusiveness. We hope to create opportunities for Arizonans to become more self-determined, more productive, and able to enjoy a higher overall quality of life.

Highlights

The Foundation was established in 1998 and began quietly funding programs throughout the community. Over the years, our work has touched a wide range of sectors across Arizona. Highlights include:

  • Seven endowed professorships at the University of Arizona, including in science, business, engineering, and optics. Click here to see full list.

  • Endowments supporting scholarships and graduate fellowships.

  • Programs that provide professional development to K-12 teachers in economic principles, including establishing the University of Arizona Office of Economic Education and Econiful.

  • Numerous grants supporting innovative K-12 STEM learning.

  • The Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy, a program designed to develop the next generation of state leaders in Arizona government.

  • The Arizona Assurance Program at the University of Arizona, providing scholarships to students who are often the first in their families to attend college.

  • In partnership with the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona and other nonprofits, the Brown Foundations facilitated the creation of Literacy Connects, which united five Tucson literacy nonprofits.

  • Significant grants to Pima Community College to support the Center of Excellence in Applied Technology and to fund facilities and equipment for healthcare training programs.

  • Support for scholarships and equipment for a variety of industrial technology programs at Pima JTED, the regional public career and technical education district.