Gift from Tony McLean Brown family establishes IEI’s first endowment

RALEIGH, NC—The Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) at NC State University is pleased to announce its first endowment, a gift from the Tony McLean Brown family in honor of the IEI National Advisory Board (NAB).

The gift produces annual income to be used at the discretion of the IEI Director.

“This gift from the Tony McLean Brown family will allow IEI to do what we do best—serve as a nonpartisan connector of North Carolinians from different sectors, regions and perspectives to tackle our state’s most emerging and critical policy issues,” said IEI Interim Director Sarah Langer Hall. “Tony has been a thought partner in IEI’s work for years and this gift is a testament to his belief in our impact across the state.”

Brown joined IEI’s National Advisory Board in 2020. One of the main reasons he joined was his respect for his long-time friend and colleague, Jack Cecil, the NAB board chair. Brown and many others want to honor Cecil’s many years of service, and to encourage other NAB members to contribute to the endowment. Brown’s gift also honors recently retired IEI Director Leslie Boney.

IEI’s mission is to bring North Carolinians together to concentrate on finding solutions to the state’s most critical issues—resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.

“We are making this philanthropic investment because we believe in IEI’s mission and leadership. The issues that are currently being addressed by the Institute are very important to the state, perhaps more important now than ever before,” said Brown.

Brown and many members of his family are proud graduates of NC State University. In addition to IEI, Tony and his family’s support for NC State encompasses Creative Writing; the Wolfpack Club, including Rifle, Volleyball and Women’s Basketball scholarships; the Department of Computer Science; and the Alumni Association.

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About the Institute for Emerging Issues

The Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) at North Carolina State University is a nonpartisan public policy organization focused on the state’s vibrancy and economic competitiveness. Since 1986, the Emerging Issues Forum has attracted leaders in business, education and public policy to discuss issues with profound implications for North Carolina’s future prosperity. For more than three decades, the Forum has helped catalyze the policy reforms, public investments and other proactive responses required to build an enduring capacity for progress in North Carolina.