BROWN COUNTY — The Brown County Music Center has donated $267,000 through management agreements with the county to the Brown County Auditor’s Office and the Brown County Community Foundation, representing excess revenue generated from ticket and food and drink sales.
In early 2023, the first distribution from the center was to the Brown County Volunteer Fire Department which received $38,825.50 for new emergency radios to ensure safe and efficient communication across Brown County.
The center is entrusting the foundation to distribute the funds directly to the community through grants.
“The music center is an increasingly impactful part of our community and a strong driver of economic success for all of us. We are extremely grateful to have music center and county government leaders prioritize urgent and important community needs,” said Alice Susemichel, CEO of the foundation. “With this important collaborative partnership, we can leverage the foundation’s unique knowledge and capacity to distribute assistance to a variety of nonprofit and community groups that serve our neighbors every day. The portion entrusted to a long-term endowment wisely ensures a significant impact for future generations. This funding defines Brown County as a compassionate and generous place to a very large audience and enhances both our quality of life and our reputation.”
As part of this agreement, when the foundation receives funds, they are split between funds that support arts and culture and the greatest community needs at that time. A portion of these funds are invested into a long-term endowment, so that the income from that endowment generates grant money each year. The remaining portion of the music center funds will be given out through grants.