Brown Loves Providence
Aligned with the campuswide Brown Ever True recovery effort, Brown Loves Providence is a coordinated effort to express appreciation for the selfless aid our neighbors in Providence provided when the Brown community needed it most.
Brown Loves Providence
Aligned with the campuswide Brown Ever True recovery effort, Brown Loves Providence is a coordinated effort to express appreciation for the selfless aid our neighbors in Providence provided when the Brown community needed it most.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/JElvxCkJwJw
On December 13, 2025, and in the days and weeks that followed, the people of Providence and Rhode Island showed Brown the true meaning of community. First responders and state officials worked around the clock to help make us safe. Businesses provided warm meals and kind words. Neighbors opened their doors to those who needed food or a place to sleep. Community partners and local alumni ensured safe passage for our students leaving campus, providing transportation to the airport, train station or other locations around the region.
From February 14 through March 16, 2026, Brown students, faculty and staff members joined in a coordinated effort to return that love and support. The Brown community shopped locally, donated to nonprofit organizations serving Rhode Island residents, delivered handwritten thank-you notes, displayed Brown Loves Providence posters in windows, and purchased special campaign apparel with 100 percent of net proceeds going back to the Providence community.
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An image of the Brown Loves Providence logo is projected on the side of The Lindemann Performing Arts Center on Saturday, February 14, 2026, to mark the start of the focused Brown Loves Providence campaign.
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A Brown Loves Providence billboard, displayed during the campaign, greets drivers heading south on Route 95 into the city of Providence.
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Brown student Renee Kim ’28, pictured with Yadira Huerta Espinosa ’29 and ‘Ihilani Sakai ’29, wears a Brown Loves Providence sweatshirt. Net proceeds from the purchase of exclusive apparel will support local nonprofits.
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Students, faculty and staff members hung Brown Loves Providence posters in windows around campus and College Hill.
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Providence Mayor Brett Smiley receives a handwritten thank-you card and gift bag from the Brown community.
Keep the Love for Providence Going
Recognizing the ongoing support of our neighbors in Providence, Brown encourages students, staff and faculty members to continue to express gratitude in ways that are meaningful to them. Consider shopping locally, donating to nonprofit organizations that serve the residents of Providence and Rhode Island and finding ways to engage with and support Providence community groups and programs.
BrownEngage
Through BrownEngage, students can explore community engagement opportunities, participate in programs or fellowships, access training, and workshops, register for events and reflect upon and share experiences.
Impact at a Glance
A quick look at campaign participation and outcomes between February 14 and March 16, 2026
78 “swag bags” distributed to small businesses, nonprofits, hospitals and first responders as a gesture of appreciation and partnership
103 students, faculty and staff members volunteering to collect thank-you notes and distribute materials at tables across campus
406 handwritten appreciation cards distributed to community partners
116 receipts submitted for the “donate and shop locally” giveaway, totalling $5,541.94
44 new users joining the BrownEngage volunteer platform
$3,621.88 raised for nonprofit organizations in Providence and Rhode Island through the purchase of Brown Love Providence apparel
University Initiatives
In wake of tragedy, Brown community comes together to celebrate and thank Providence
From supporting small businesses to volunteering with community organizations to thanking first responders, Brown Loves Providence returned care and connection to the city Brown calls home.
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University Initiatives
Through ‘Brown Loves Providence,’ Brown community members turn appreciation into action
Brown University students, faculty and staff are uniting to thank and honor Providence and its residents, businesses and officials through acts of appreciation including coordinated giving, local spending and volunteerism.
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Organized by Brown University students, the “Thank You PVD” concert brought performers, students and Providence residents together for a night of music, gratitude and collective healing.
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