Give Local: The Brown Family Fund

Jay and Ann Brown

Ann and Jay Brown recently opened the Brown Family Fund at the CFMC. We asked Ann, who was the 2013 CFMC Board Chair, why she and her husband made the decision to partner with the CFMC.

The CFMC will be here to take care of the people of Monterey County. You shop local, eat local, why not give local?

– Ann Brown

Ann noted that “learning that the money you give to the CFMC stays in the community was a big plus. In the past we gave primarily to national organizations. Being able to see how the CFMC works and how well your gift is protected and managed gave us a lot of confidence. It’s very comforting to know the CFMC will be here to take care of the people of Monterey County. You shop local, eat local, why not give local?”

After Jay sold his company they decided to set aside a percentage to go to philanthropy. They hadn’t concluded which organizations to support and appreciated the flexibility of a donor advised fund, where grants can be made over time. As a member of the CFMC Grants and Programs Committee, Ann saw that many worthwhile organizations couldn’t be funded due to limited philanthropic resources.

“I knew as a fund holder that the CFMC would be able to let us know of giving opportunities in line with our interests.”

Ann and Jay want to focus on organizations serving South County, youth, and women and girls through the Women’s Fund, a field of interest fund of the CFMC.

About deciding which organizations to support Ann says, “A grant shows someone else believes in what you can do. That will be the fun part!”

Why choose the CFMC?

“I knew our money would be in good hands and would stay local. The CFMC is a great partner for anyone interested in philanthropy.”

Note: Ann first took a grantwriting seminar at the CFMC, joined the board in 2009, chaired the Grants and Programs committee, was the 2013 CFMC Board Chair and is now a member of the Southern Monterey County Foundation Advisory Board.