Edward Ingersoll Browne Fund
The Browne Fund supports public art, landscape improvements, and beautification projects throughout Boston.
The Browne Fund was created in 1978 through the will of Boston-born attorney Edward Ingersoll Browne. Browne was born in Franklin Place, Boston, on November 11, 1833, the son of Charles and Elizabeth Isabella Browne. Raised and educated in Boston, he attended Boston Latin School before enrolling at Harvard College. Browne later established a legal practice in Boston. After admission to the Suffolk Bar, a body of lawyers in Suffolk County, he briefly trained with the Boston firm of Sohier & Welch. Then, he formed a lasting business connection with Charles Thorndike, carrying on a practice devoted chiefly to trust management.
Browne eventually lived in Hyde Park (then a separate town, later annexed to Boston), remaining a devoted Bostonian until his death on September 15, 1901. In his will, Browne directed that one-third of his estate—a substantial sum at the time—be invested, with the income used for the following:
“adornment and benefit of (Boston) by the erection of statues, monuments, fountains for men and beasts and for the ornament of its streets, ways, squares and parks in such manner as will promote the pleasure, comfort, education, patriotism and good taste of its citizens.”
Browne’s commitment to art and civic beautification stemmed from his scholarly inclinations and extensive travels in Europe, where he developed an appreciation for public monuments, statuary, and thoughtful urban design. More broadly, his vision reflected the late 19th-century “City Beautiful” ethos, in which art, architecture, and landscaping were seen as catalysts for community pride and moral uplift.
In keeping with Browne’s wishes, the City of Boston established by ordinance a mechanism for administering the funding dedicated in his will. This ordinance created two essential entities in fund disbursement: the Browne Fund Committee and the Browne Fund Commission. First, the Browne Fund Committee reviews proposals for how the Fund’s income might best serve the city’s artistic and beautification goals. Then, the Browne Fund Commission issues the final approval. Together, they ensure that Edward Ingersoll Browne’s legacy of civic pride and public art endures for future generations.
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Have questions? Contact:
Treasury -
Browne Fund Applications
The Browne Fund is not accepting applications at this time.
Information for Grant Recipients
Information for Grant RecipientsGrantees will receive a grant agreement that explains:
- their responsibilities, and
- the responsibilities of the Browne Fund.
This must be signed before work can begin.
All Browne Fund projects must be completed within 18 months after the written notification of the award.
All projects will be reviewed after six months. We want to see that substantial progress has been made towards completion of the project.
All requests for extensions of deadline:
- must be in written form to the Treasury Department’s Trust Program, and
- must meet with the written approval of the Commissioners.
Extensions may be granted. But, any project that has not been started or shown substantial progress within three years will be withdrawn from active status. The funds will revert back to the Browne Fund. The applicant would need to complete a new application to the Browne Fund Committee for the project to be reinstated.
The Browne Fund pays for work as it is completed. The fund cannot advance money to organizations, consultants, or contractors.
Often, the Browne Fund’s grant will only cover part of the project’s budget. The applicant must have secured all the money needed to complete the scope of work supported by the grant before the Fund can make payments. Please provide supporting documents of other financial commitments to the Browne Fund as they become available.
In some cases, the Edward Ingersoll Browne Fund will be the only funder for a project. In those cases, work may begin immediately upon receipt of the Fund Award or execution of the grant agreement.
The Fund may make payments in one of two ways:
- Reimbursement: Pay vendors directly and apply for a subsequent reimbursement. Once the Trust Office receives supporting documents and the Request for Trust Fund Payment form, we will make payment directly to the grant recipient.
- Vendor Direct: Provide vendor invoices directly to the Fund with the Request for Trust Fund Payment form. Once the form and payment details are determined to be in good order, we will make payment directly to the vendor.
In either case, the grant recipient signs the Request for Trust Fund Payment form. This ensures that you are satisfied that the work is complete and ready for payment. Supporting documentation may include, but shall not be limited to:
- signed contracts
- billing statements from vendors, and
- paid receipts and cancelled checks.
The Browne Fund requires original documents.
The final disbursement of funds comes only after:
- the filing of all required reports
- on-site inspection by representatives of the Browne Fund Commission
- submission of all relevant documents, and
- a signed statement releasing the City of Boston, the Browne Fund, and the Commissioners of the Browne Fund from any and all further expenses and liability.
All funds within the original appropriation not spent by the grantees will revert back to the Browne Fund.
All grantees are responsible for funds encumbered or expended over and above the amount provided in the original appropriation. All grantees are responsible for any further expenses incurred after the Commissioners have voted to remove designated authority and funding. Such vote by the Commissioners will be deemed to be occurring as a result of default on the part of the designated authority.
For a period of 18 months after the project is completed, grantees must maintain and be able to readily produce project documents, including:
- any and all documents
- bills and invoices, and
- cancelled checks.
Progress reports are due every six months between grant award and project completion. A final report is submitted at completion. The report includes both a narrative and a financial update.
The Edward Ingersoll Browne Fund Progress Report form has two pages. The report includes both a narrative and a financial update. Please feel free to keep your reports brief. We have a sample report for a mock project for your review.
These forms must be filled out and returned to the Treasury Department’s Trust Program. Failure to provide these reports in a timely manner will prevent any and all disbursements of funds for work done to date. Failure to provide these forms will also bring subsequent review from the Treasury Department’s Trust Program, and a possible recommendation for removal of designated authority and funding.
A Final Report is required of all Browne Fund grantees after project completion.
For a design grant, the Final Report is made up of the Browne Fund Progress Report form with the following products of the design development process:
- conceptual plans
- renderings
- any construction plans and specifications
- cost estimates, and
- plan for implementation.
For a construction grant, the Final Report is made up of the Browne Fund Progress Report form and includes:
- projected maintenance cost of project
- executed a maintenance agreement for project area
- photo of installed Browne Fund plaque, and
- photos of completed project.
These are submitted to the Browne Fund with the final request for payment.
Each Browne Fund construction grant has a maintenance requirement. In most cases this is met through a maintenance agreement between:
- the grantee
- owner (if different from the grantee), and
- the Browne Fund.
In some cases where the proposed work will require extraordinary maintenance, an endowment or other dedicated funding source should be identified.
The Browne Fund conducts annual inspections of the funded projects. If the terms of the maintenance agreement are not being met, the Browne Fund may, at its sole discretion, withdraw from any future support for the site.
Who's Involved:
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Have questions? Contact:
Treasury -
Browne Fund Applications
The Browne Fund is not accepting applications at this time.
