Donald Bren Foundation

In a stunning turnaround to a dismal funding dilemma, the Irvine Co., Donald Bren Foundation and Irvine Public Schools Foundation together pledged nearly $3.9 million to Irvine schools Thursday, more than making up the funding gap left when a parcel-tax measure failed at the polls Tuesday.

A rugged, 20,000-acre parcel of the original Irvine Ranch — a pristine landscape of steep canyons, native grassland and sycamore woodland that is home to golden eagles, mountain lions and dozens of rare and endangered species of plants and animals — became public property Tuesday in a historic deal with the developer who has sculpted the look of modern suburbia in Southern California. The open-space land, a gift from Donald Bren and the Irvine Co., was unanimously accepted by the Orange County Board of Supervisors, which also approved a long-term plan to manage the natural habitat, designated a National Natural Landmark four years ago. In one swoop, the size of parkland owned by the county grew by more than half.

Irvine Co. Chairman Donald Bren has donated $5 million to UC Irvine for five research chairs, to further the university's studies of molecular medicine, cancer and human genetics. The university hopes to recruit the Bren Fellows from other research institutions to work at the newly developed Irvine Biomedical Research Center.

UC Irvine officials on Wednesday identified Irvine Co. Chief Executive Donald Bren as the anonymous donor who gave $20 million to UC Irvine's School of Information and Computer Science in December. Bren will be honored at a campus ceremony and groundbreaking Wednesday for the new Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences. His gift, the largest gift ever to UCI, provided more than $18 million for 10 endowed faculty chairs for the new school.

As part of a matching gift to preserve art, music and science education in Irvine public schools, the Donald Bren Foundation gave the school district a $700,000 check Tuesday. The money was presented to trustees even as Irvine Unified School District officials counted ballots Tuesday night from an election on a proposed parcel tax for recreational facilities to aid the financially strapped district. Officials for the Bren-owned Irvine Co.

UC Irvine officials on Wednesday identified Irvine Co. Chief Executive Donald Bren as the anonymous donor who gave $20 million to UC Irvine's School of Information and Computer Science in December. Bren will be honored at a campus ceremony and groundbreaking Wednesday for the new Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences. His gift, the largest gift ever to UCI, provided more than $18 million for 10 endowed faculty chairs for the new school.

Orange County's major developer announced Wednesday the availability of $20 million to preserve, restore and enhance access to more than 30,000 acres of land already donated or earmarked for donation as open public space. Under the plan by the Irvine Co.

The Irvine Co. and the Donald Bren Foundation on Wednesday announced plans to give $25 million over the next several years to education, primarily for public schools attended by students who live on the Irvine Ranch. The Bren Foundation, through its Educational Enrichment Fund, aims to hand out $15 million in grants to bolster programs in the sciences, technology and the arts.

A rugged, 20,000-acre parcel of the original Irvine Ranch — a pristine landscape of steep canyons, native grassland and sycamore woodland that is home to golden eagles, mountain lions and dozens of rare and endangered species of plants and animals — became public property Tuesday in a historic deal with the developer who has sculpted the look of modern suburbia in Southern California. The open-space land, a gift from Donald Bren and the Irvine Co., was unanimously accepted by the Orange County Board of Supervisors, which also approved a long-term plan to manage the natural habitat, designated a National Natural Landmark four years ago. In one swoop, the size of parkland owned by the county grew by more than half.

Re "$3.9 Million Is Donated to Irvine Schools," April 14: Three cheers for the Irvine Co., Donald Bren Foundation and Irvine Public Schools Foundation for their stunningly generous, one-year bailout donation. Now we've got some time to plan for the long term. Almost 19,000 Irvine citizens voted yes on Measure A and would happily pay $95 per year to preserve the high quality of this critically acclaimed school district. Let's tap this ready-and-willing revenue stream. To turn this into a longer-term funding source and not a one-time donation, let's make it a three-year commitment, paid upfront.

As part of a matching gift to preserve art, music and science education in Irvine public schools, the Donald Bren Foundation gave the school district a $700,000 check Tuesday. The money was presented to trustees even as Irvine Unified School District officials counted ballots Tuesday night from an election on a proposed parcel tax for recreational facilities to aid the financially strapped district. Officials for the Bren-owned Irvine Co.

The Irvine Co. and the Donald Bren Foundation on Wednesday announced plans to give $25 million over the next several years to education, primarily for public schools attended by students who live on the Irvine Ranch. The Bren Foundation, through its Educational Enrichment Fund, aims to hand out $15 million in grants to bolster programs in the sciences, technology and the arts.

Orange County's major developer announced Wednesday the availability of $20 million to preserve, restore and enhance access to more than 30,000 acres of land already donated or earmarked for donation as open public space. Under the plan by the Irvine Co.

Re "$3.9 Million Is Donated to Irvine Schools," April 14: Three cheers for the Irvine Co., Donald Bren Foundation and Irvine Public Schools Foundation for their stunningly generous, one-year bailout donation. Now we've got some time to plan for the long term. Almost 19,000 Irvine citizens voted yes on Measure A and would happily pay $95 per year to preserve the high quality of this critically acclaimed school district. Let's tap this ready-and-willing revenue stream. To turn this into a longer-term funding source and not a one-time donation, let's make it a three-year commitment, paid upfront.

In a stunning turnaround to a dismal funding dilemma, the Irvine Co., Donald Bren Foundation and Irvine Public Schools Foundation together pledged nearly $3.9 million to Irvine schools Thursday, more than making up the funding gap left when a parcel-tax measure failed at the polls Tuesday.

Irvine Co. Chairman Donald Bren has donated $5 million to UC Irvine for five research chairs, to further the university's studies of molecular medicine, cancer and human genetics. The university hopes to recruit the Bren Fellows from other research institutions to work at the newly developed Irvine Biomedical Research Center.

The Irvine Co. and the Donald Bren Foundation recently awarded $95,500 to 37 Irvine Unified School District teachers and $55,500 to 21 Tustin Unified School District teachers. The grants can be used for classroom activities, materials and field trips.

The Tustin Public Schools Foundation will honor the city's teachers of the year at its fifth annual dinner, May 19 at 6 p.m. Stephen Pickell, a silver medalist in the 400-medley relay swimming event in the 1976 Olympics and father of four Tustin Unified School District students, will be the guest speaker. Nominated teachers will receive cash awards from the Irvine Co. and the Donald Bren Foundation. The public is invited; cost is $35. Reservations: (714) 832-6299.