Having lived in Brookline for close to 50 years, Lorraine Goldstein and Guus Driessen wanted a way to give back to the community that has been their home. Long-time supporters of the Brookline Community Foundation, Lorraine and Guus approached the foundation in December of 2019 to discuss how to direct their philanthropy in a meaningful way and address a need that is important to them.
Coming out of that conversation, BCF is pleased to announce the creation of the Goldstein-Driessen Youth Fund for Arts and Culture. This newly created field-of-interest fund will “expand access to performing and visual arts opportunities to enrich the lives of families or children with a focus on financial need.” By supporting organizations that provide opportunities to engage with the arts, Lorraine and Guus hope to make a difference in the lives of many Brookline youth in years to come.
When asked why a focus on the arts and young people, they explained, “We are fortunate to be able to enjoy many artistic and cultural opportunities that exist here in Brookline. We would like to extend such opportunities to young people and families in the hopeof fostering inspiration, awaking talents, and instilling a greater appreciation of the arts and the diverse cultures within our community.”
BCF expects that the first grants from the Goldstein-Driessen Youth Fund for Arts and Culture will be distributed through the 2020 Fall Community Grant Cycle.