Donald Bren, chairman of The Irvine Company, has given $8.5 million to a Santa Ana nonprofit that offers after-school education for kids.
The money will be used to expand Think Together’s after school programs for underprivileged children in school districts in Santa Ana and Eastern Los Angeles County.
“After seeing the difficult challenges facing students in these school districts including declining enrollment and budget cuts I felt compelled to meet the need identified by Governor Schwarzenegger for quality after-school programs,” Bren said in a statement. “Think Together is a proven program that delivers results for these young children at a critical time in their educational lives.”
The nonprofit is one of the largest providers of free after-school tutoring in the U.S. for low-income students. It serves about 20,000 students every day at more than 180 sites in school districts throughout Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Donations and state funds are the bulk of how the nonprofit funds its programs. It’s seen its revenue go from $4 million in 2006 to $25 million in 2007 thanks to both.
Bren’s gift should help the nonprofit deepen its footprint in California by offering more tutoring sites so that it can serve 30,000 students.
“(Bren’s) gift will allow thousands of low-income students to receive critical academic intervention programs, reading and homework assistance and physical education programs after school,” said Randy Barth, Think Together’s chief executive.
Think Together has had a long-standing relationship with Bren and the Irvine Co. Since 1998, Bren and Irvine Co. have provided financial support and employees have volunteered their time on the board and as mentors. Longtime company Vice President Sat Tamaribuchi has served on Think Together’s board since its inception in 1997.
Bren’s gift increases his total giving to Think Together to $10 million.
Bren, a long time supporter of education, has donated more than $100 million to K-12 education causes.
“There is no wiser investment we can make as individuals and as a company than in our children,” Bren said. “They will be our enduring legacy. They are the leaders of the future, and the quality of education they receive today will directly impact the success and prosperity of our communities tomorrow.”
