Donald Bren

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Donald Bren Biography Irvine Company Profile Photo for Download

Philanthropy

Solar energy from space on the horizon

On a recent sunny morning, electrical engineering professor Ali Hajimiri stood on a balcony in Cape Canaveral in Florida, holding his breath as he watched a scene with profound implications for energy use…

Bren Named One of World’s Greenest Leaders…

In 1997 low-key Californian developer Donald Bren pledged $15m to what became the Donald Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, topping that up with a further $5m in 2004. The Bren School…

For Donald Bren, Giving Back Was Always In The Plan

Stand on a hill and take in the view, and the chances are good you’ll see the imprint of the Irvine Co. on the Orange County landscape around you. For more than 30 years, the man responsible for shaping much of that landscape has been Irvine Co. chairman Donald Bren.

Bren One of Nation’s Top 10 Philanthropists

Using property and wealth from his real estate business, Bren has given more than $1 billion, much of it to support education. Bren’s commitment to schooling runs the gamut from students to principals to school districts to university scholars on his Irvine Ranch.

Irvine Co.’s Bren Gives Philanthropy Equal Priority

Bren’s philanthropy has left a mark that rivals the work he’s done building out about one-fifth of Orange County. From the Bren supported Law School at UC Irvine to a 20,000-acre parcel of the original Irvine Ranch that, in June, was transferred to the county as permanent open space, Bren’s charitable projects have been aimed at making a long-term impact.

Irvine's 50th Anniversary Commemorative Article

At 50, New City of Irvine is Evergreen

Everything was coming up green in the spring of 1970. In April, Americans would celebrate the first Earth Day, marking the dawn of the global environmental movement…

Open Space

“It’s All Yours,” Bren Tells O.C.

“Yours,” in this case, means all of Orange County. The four major canyons that make up the gift include Black Star, expected to become the 2,000-acre “Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park” within three to four years. It is the largest gift of land in county history.

Irvine Co. Gives 20,000 Acres Of Open Space To Orange County

Over the years, Bren’s vision as a developer has transformed the Orange County landscape… setting aside 50,000 acres for parks, greenways, and a recreational and wilderness preserve. More than half of that was previously donated to the public; the land given to the county Tuesday completes the transfer.

Irvine Ranch Gains State Landmark Status

Most of the remaining Irvine Ranch became California’s first Natural Landmark on Tuesday, a new designation announced by the governor during an Earth Day celebration amid the ranch’s rolling, brush-covered hills. “This is…

Irvine Ranch Acreage Gets Landmark Status

Irvine Ranch acreage gets landmark status The governor is among those at a ceremony to announce the national designation, shared by Diamond Head and the La Brea Tar Pits. David Reyes Los Angeles…

Latest Gift Brings Bren’s Donations to Reserve to $50 Million

Standing in a small clearing amid giant sycamores in Irvine Regional Park on Thursday, Irvine Co. Chairman Donald Bren pledged $20 million to expand the public’s access to 50,000 acres of the former Irvine Ranch set aside as open space. The gift brings to $50 million the amount donated…

Bren’s Land Gift Preserves a ‘Treasure Trove of Biodiversity’

Rugged canyons, centuries-old oak trees, and sweeping expanses of Chaparral and sage make up the 11,000 acres that Irvine Co. Chairman Donald Bren is preserving forever. It includes some of the most sensitive and biologically rich land in Southern California.

Finding Middle Ground

IRVINE —  An unprecedented experiment in wildlife conservation began Wednesday in an Orange County meadow, as a major land developer and high-level government officials signed a plan that some predict will be a national…

Education

New Gift from Bren to UC Santa Barbara Brings Total to $20 Million

Philanthropist and Orange County businessman Donald Bren has given $5 million to UCSB — bringing his total contributions to the university to $20 million. CSB Chancellor Henry Yang said… Mr. Bren’s “vision for developing a peerless, world-leading institution . . . has been a tremendous source of inspiration and leadership for the Bren School.”

After School Help Program gets Major Gift

Developer and philanthropist Donald Bren on Tuesday reached beyond the Orange County communities he helped build and define, announcing an $8.5-million donation to benefit after-school programs in Santa Ana and east Los Angeles County.

Irvine Co. to Donate $20 Million to Schools

The Irvine Co. said Monday it would provide $20 million over the next 10 years to fund fine arts, music and science programs for fourth- through sixth-graders in the Irvine Unified School District. The money will be in addition to the $25 million pledged by the Newport Beach developer to Irvine schools in 2000, officials said.

UCI Names Computer Sciences School After Donald Bren

UC Irvine announced today that it is renaming its new computer science school the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences. Mr. Bren’s gift equaled the largest gift ever to UCI and marked another example of the chairman’s support of public education on The Irvine Ranch.

Honors

Bren Named One of World’s Greenest Leaders…

In 1997 low-key Californian developer Donald Bren pledged $15m to what became the Donald Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, topping that up with a further $5m in 2004. The Bren School…

University of California Awards its Highest Honor to Bren

Bren donated $20 million to the university, endowing more permanent chairs than anyone in the campus’ history. In recognition of this contributions, UCI awarded Bren the University of California Presidential Medal, the university’s highest honor.

UCI Building Dedicated to Bren

Six-story campus hall named for Irvine Co. chairman will house information and computer science programs.

County Bears Bren’s Distinct, Positive Thumbprint

Donald Bren recognized as one of Orange County’s most prominent and influential forces over the past 100 years, guiding its development and the protection of its open spaces.