August 24, 2015

The Bryan Jacobson Foundation officially launched last year, and was created to honor my brother Bryan, whom the world lost almost five years ago.  Our mission is to provide charitable support to organizations that set out to inspire, nurture, and promote the betterment of the human spirit that is present within each of us.  The mission comes directly from the love and support Bryan always provided to me as his little brother.  While the world keeps turning, I always keep Bryan in my heart.  This Foundation sustains Bryan’s legacy, as all that he taught me and so many others are too valuable and meaningful to not share.  We must continue to spread love to those that need help and support.

The BJF is properly registered as a 501C3 Charitable Organization, and we raise money through fundraisers and team building events for charities that align with our mission.  Our goal is to seek out small and lesser known organizations where the impact on its mission is direct and tangible.  Simply stated, we do all we can to enrich the lives of others actively.

In October, 2014, the BJF held its Inaugural Launch and Fundraising Event at the Rose Bar, Gramercy Park Hotel.  We captured a tremendous of amount of interest and exceeded our overall fundraising goal.  Through the generosity of so many, we made our first grant to the Friends of the Children New York, a youth development organization, by donating two play rooms in Bryan’s name where some of the City’s most at risk children go to learn and have fun.  It is the precise gift and legacy this Foundation was meant to create.

We also established Team BJF – in which volunteers raise money and awareness for the BJF through participation in athletic events.  Team BJF was involved in a very successful and uplifting 10K run, as well as a fun and exciting Spinning event.  Thank you to all that led that teams, participated, raised money, and donated!  Team BJF is a fun and very exciting element of our charity.  I encourage anyone that is competing in any walk, run, race, marathon, spin event or any activity in which raising money or volunteering is needed – start your own Team BJF!  We will support you!

This coming October, we are excited to host The 2nd Annual BJF Fundraising Event.  Bryan loved to excite others in the events he threw as a professional event planner.  And so, we hope this next BJF event will be something that would make him proud, in Bryan’s style – something cool, “something smart, something different”, something fun, and most importantly something very meaningful.

I speak for my family and the entire Foundation when I say that we couldn’t have done any of this without everybody’s support and love.  We encourage you to get involved and stay connected with the Bryan Jacobson Foundation, through donations, participation, or anything else you can offer.  It means so much to us, and I hope that we can inspire you to enrich the lives of others, just as Bryan continues to enrich mine.

From my heart and soul, thank you!

Shaun

Original Dedication Letter

August 12, 2014

Family and Friends,

For the past three and a half years I have been working to set up the Bryan Jacobson Foundation, as a tribute to honor my brother Bryan.  It’s been a very difficult road, filled with deep emotions, hard work, and tough challenges.  Bryan always motivated me to be my best, and to have passion in everything I do.  Bryan’s own passion for culture and creativity has always inspired me.  He always encouraged me to try new things, and to venture out of my comfort zone to truly experience the color, flavor, and volume the world has to offer.  My brother mentored me throughout my life and I greatly benefitted from all that he taught me, everywhere I applied it.  He was strong and had confidence, and was never afraid to chart a new path, no matter how challenging the task…  As I look to him still, even now, I find myself pushing with all that I am to be my best, and to chart a new path every day, no matter how challenging the task.

Thanks to the work and support from my family and friends, I am pleased to announce the creation of the Bryan Jacobson Foundation, Inc., a private, charitable organization with approved 501c3 status. The Foundation is a tangible and meaningful way for me to express my love and appreciation for my brother.  It will never fill any void, but I am hoping it will assist and enrich the lives of others, the way Bryan enriched mine.

The Bryan Jacobson Foundation (BJF) is a legacy to Bryan’s vibrancy and vitality.  It will serve as a beacon for the community, to guide and enrich the lives of others.  The BJF will facilitate its own fundraising through donations and events, and will then make financial grants to charitable organizations that encompass our mission.  Each year, the BJF will support numerous causes and charitable organizations that exhibit Bryan’s character.

For the Foundation’s inaugural launch this year, we are supporting a specific youth development charity.  This charity assigns well-rounded mentors and role models with children and adolescents, to give them coaching, support and friendship; which is well aligned with how Bryan always treated me and everyone he loved.

Thank you for visiting this website and learning about the BJF. This is the official launch and just the beginning of a rapidly growing and giving foundation.  I encourage you to think about all of the people that have made a true and positive impact on your life.  For me, my brother Bryan provided unconditional love and consistent support and happiness that I could always count on and will now cherish forever.  The BJF is dedicated to that principle and will fundraise with only the most genuine motive; to enrich the lives of others.  There are many people that need something, and now the Bryan Jacobson Foundation is here to help.

Shaun