Michael and Laura Brader-Araje


Dramatic change can begin with a tiny spark. We founded the Michael & Laura Brader-Araje Foundation to be a spark for change that will support innovative programs geared toward improving the lives of our fellow North Carolinians. We are committed to focusing our investments in North Carolina because giving back to our community is a top priority for us.

As a new foundation, we are excited by the opportunity to make a difference in our state. We are motivated, in part, by what we have seen other individuals and other funds accomplish; becoming a part of the local giving community allows us to give back to a place where we have established our roots and have experienced much success ourselves. We consider it an honor and a privilege to be involved in enhancing our community—the most challenging and worthwhile investment we can imagine.

In the spirit of our entrepreneurial background, we believe in providing early investment where we see the potential for success. By providing philanthropic seed money to worthy and promising causes, we hope to launch programs that can grow and make a significant difference. Our goal is to channel energy and resources to help the people of our region by providing opportunities that did not exist before.

We are open-minded and optimistic about what we can achieve. Just as there is no limit to the imagination, there are no limits to what we will consider supporting to enrich people’s lives. By rewarding innovation with philanthropic resources, it is our hope to light a spark for change in North Carolina.

 
 
Michael Brader-Araje
Laura Brader-Araje
 



 
  The Michael & Laura Brader-Araje Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the people of North Carolina. In an ongoing effort to enrich lives and expand opportunities, the Foundation supports innovative programs in North Carolina dedicated to children, education, health care, and women’s rights.


 
 



Empowerment, education, and entrepreneurship—these values are at the core of the Michael & Laura Brader-Araje Foundation. With an overall goal of improving the quality of people’s lives, the Foundation puts a grantmaking priority on programs concerning education, entrepreneurship, health, and community affairs.

Social Return on Investment
The Michael & Laura Brader-Araje Foundation views each grant as an investment in social change. Striving to maximize the effectiveness of each philanthropic investment, the Foundation seeks innovative ideas with the potential to stimulate change and make a lasting impact. To that end the Foundation has a strong interest in nonprofits whose drive, dedication, and business discipline are well-matched to their cause. The Foundation believes that even a small grant can be a spark for positive change, and a program of value can change the course of a life.

The Spirit of Collaboration
Partnerships with other funding organizations and individual donors are an important component in the Foundation’s approach to grantmaking. The Foundation takes a particular interest in helping to establish new programs by providing seed money that can leverage additional funding from other sources.

The Michael & Laura Brader-Araje Foundation believes charitable investment requires more than a financial commitment. The founders often work in partnership with the nonprofits they support—volunteering their time, and sharing their expertise and experience. By being actively involved with these organizations, the Foundation is better able to respond to critical needs and contribute to successful outcomes.


 



©2006 Michael & Laura Brader-Araje Foundation