Recently Funded Projects
Opera Southwest
Mission: Opera Southwest's mission is to produce quality, professional, enjoyable and accessible opera in intimate settings for audiences of all ages.
Project: Thanks to funding from the BLEF, Opera Southwest reconstructed and performed a full score critical and performing edition of Louise Bertin's 1827 opéra-comique "Le loup-garou" (The Werewolf). This is an important contribution to the broader field of opera by disseminating a neglected work by a 19th Century woman composer, and the informal outdoor presentation of the work drew a large and age-diverse audience to opera.
Tales and Trails
Mission: The mission of Tales and Trails is to offer nature education and nature immersion experiences to underserved and underrepresented populations in south-central Indiana, and nationwide. We believe that all children deserve the opportunity to experience the benefit of nature near their home.
Project: Nature Explorer Backpack Program. This grant money enabled NAME to assemble at least 144 Nature Explorer Backpacks for the children participating in their Nature Immersion and Nature Education Experiences. These Nature Explorer Backpacks enable children to be everyday explorers of nature!
Phoenix Conservancy
Mission: to restore endangered ecosystems globally for the communities that depend on them and the conservation of biodiversity.
Project: Restore critical habitat in Madagascar by developing a local economy to support the Lost Forest. Create fire barriers to protect The Lost Forest from frequent fires that spread from lowland areas. This will also create protected areas where reforestation can begin.
Seed fire barriers with pioneer species to jumpstart reforestation.
Employ local community members for fire barrier construction.
Purchase pioneer species from local communities to provide an additional income source.
WashU Fox Fridays
Mission: Washington University: The mission of Washington University in St. Louis is to act in service of truth through the formation of leaders, the discovery of knowledge and the treatment of patients for the betterment of our region, our nation and our world.
Sam Fox School: The Sam Fox School strives to increase the diversity of our community, nurture an inclusive learning and work environment, and promote a culture and ethos that values diversity, inclusion, and equitable success
Project: A weekly, low stress workshop series introducing the community of the Sam Fox School and the larger Washington University community to overlooked or under-known tools, resources, processes, and ideas for creative practice. Fox Fridays is a platform for students, faculty, and staff to develop hybrid practices of creative output that transcend discipline, medium, and experience.Fox Fridays is a cultural shift that establishes the interdisciplinary mission of the Sam Fox School not as an umbrella overtop of the College of Art, College of Architecture, and Kemper Art Museum, but as a connective tissue that creates unique opportunities for experimentation, exploration, and knowledge development
Chugach Mountain Bike Riders
Mission: Chugach Mountain Bike Riders is working with Chugiak-Eagle River Parks and Rec to develop a cost-effective design to bring hikers-bikers-dog walkers-skijorers and other non-motorized users around the west side of Beach Lake to the Knik Arm of Cook Inlet.
Project: Construction on the trails started mid-August 2016. Over 1250 hours were donated by volunteers to help cut backslope, remove hazards, smooth trail and install signs to make these trail happen. Phase one trails (red, blue and yellow) opened June 2017. Phase 2 build (purple, green and pink trails) started July 2018 and was opened October 2018. Phase 3, “Ben’s Bike Playground” was constructed July-Sep 2021 and is scheduled to open June 2022. Additional construction of Ben’s Jump Lines (new orange trails off of Hot Tamale/Red) is scheduled for summer 2022.
Wonder Lab
Mission: WonderLab provides opportunities to experience the wonder and excitement of science through interactive exhibits and programs that stimulate curiosity, encourage exploration, connect to the arts and everyday life, and foster lifelong learning.
Project: PROJECT SUMMARY: (On first page with deliverables and the cost of each) WonderLab created and installed a new exhibit area, Science Sprouts Place (SSP), to provide age-appropriate, innovative STEM experiences for our youngest visitors (birth through 3 years old) and their caregivers. Experts in early childhood education recognize that effective STEM education begins at birth and that investment in early learning pays off through adulthood, with positive effects on educational achievement and professional success. Research shows that programs targeting birth - 3 years provide the greatest return on investment for economic and workforce development. The 600 square-foot area SSP opened on schedule on October 5, 2019
WAM Theater
Mission: WAM's mission is to create professional theatre with a focus on the stories of women and to use that art as activism to support opportunities for women and girls.
WAM Theatre is a company, based in Western Massachusetts that operates at the intersection of arts and activism. In 2022, WAM Theatre produced CADILLAC CREW by Tori Sampson, a play that depicts women in the Civil Rights Movement whose stories have been erased. Brabson Foundation support was used to fund a series of public forums in libraries across the region during Banned Books Week. At each event, BIPOC female artists, educators and community leaders highlighted stories of Black or Indigenous female Civil Rights Pioneers that inspire them and are often missing from mainstream historical accounts. These forums were complimented by a recorded conversation, a study guide and a lobby display created by our production dramaturg. Over three hundred students and community members utilized these forums and resources.
Living in Light Ministries
Mission: Our mission is to shine the light of God by partnering with local organizations in East Africa to help children, families, and communities overcome poverty, inequality and lack of education.
Project - We purchased 21 E-Reader tablets for use in a school in rural village in Uganda. It is truly amazing to see these children learning English vocabulary through technology in this very rural community. The children’s parents (often grandparents) are thrilled that the children are learning about technology and sincerely grateful for your support.
Williwaw Elementary School
Mission: Williwaw Elementary is a learning community which values diversity, family involvement and social-emotional growth. By providing a safe learning environment, having the highest expectations for all students, and maintaining cohesive teaching practices, we will promote life-long learners and responsible, respectful world citizens. Our Title I status allows us to go the extra mile in providing support for student success!
Project: For the 21-22 school year, the Brabson foundation funded a project so we could host learn together sessions that built in family engagement during enrichment opportunities to extend student learning including kinder academy and pizza making, create and instrument, Olympics enrichment focusing on growth mindset and pretzel making, and family winter fun day.