Through strategic philanthropy, the vision of The Brico Fund is to create effective, innovative systemic change that results in a more just and equitable society; changed attitudes, policies and societal patterns.
Systemic change: change that occurs at the policy level, within an organization, network of partners, interest group, community or other system that addresses the root causes of problems. Systemic change is often against the status quo. It implies risk taking, and a willingness to challenge rules and old ideas.
Guided by the values of interdependence, fairness, and equality, The Brico Fund aims to secure full participation in society for women and girls, to sustain our natural environment and to promote a just and equitable society.
Brico is short for Bricolage, a French word meaning “do it yourself.” A Bricolage is also a type of fairy tale in which the hero doesn’t always know the outcome of his actions, but elects to move forward anyway. A classic Bricolage is the story of Puss in Boots, where Puss parlays a situation he finds himself in to reach a goal.
The story of Puss in Boots is a good analogy of the evolution of Lynde B. Uihlein’s work as a philanthropist. With the creation of The Brico Fund in 1989, Ms. Uihlein had specific and immediate goals in mind and chose to move ahead, not knowing what the long-term outcomes would be. Like Puss, The Brico Fund uses tools it has available to advance its mission, to take risks and to not fear failure.