Founding Vision
The SL Brown Foundation (SLBF) is rooted in the longstanding commitment of its co-founders, Stephen and Laurel Brown, to the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Prior to establishing Upper House, Steve Brown participated in faith-based and inter-religious dialogue on campus, served on the steering committee for the Lubar Institute for the Study of Abrahamic Religions, and funded a trilogy of courses on early Christian literature, the Pauline Epistles, and the Gospels. Upper House carries forward that investment — offering a dedicated place for Christian faith exploration and education within the fabric of a major research university.
SLBF pursues a vision of generous hospitality, principled dialogue, and programs designed to form the whole person — mind, faith, heart, and vocation — at one of the world's great universities. Explore our mission, vision, and values and what we believe.
SLBF pursues a vision of generous hospitality, principled dialogue, and programs designed to form the whole person — mind, faith, heart, and vocation — at one of the world's great universities. Explore our mission, vision, and values and what we believe.
From our Founders:
“We believe the Christian faith has a lot to contribute to the sifting and winnowing of great ideas, we want to challenge the campus, we want to engage the campus, and we want to support the campus through being a part of the vibrant conversation occurring at UW—Madison.” –Steve Brown
"Even if we don’t know it, we all have a common goal: to better understand Christ and who we are as children of God. Providing this space to gather, explore, and connect is an important part of Upper House’s mission. We are trying to meet one of the most basic of human needs—to know Christ.” –Laurel Brown
"Even if we don’t know it, we all have a common goal: to better understand Christ and who we are as children of God. Providing this space to gather, explore, and connect is an important part of Upper House’s mission. We are trying to meet one of the most basic of human needs—to know Christ.” –Laurel Brown
What We Do
SLBF's work explores “big questions” that Christianity can effectively raise in the pluralistic university. Our efforts have been particularly important in an academic environment where the humanities are under intense pressure. Our Foundation's work contributes to character formation, the life of the mind, the role of imagination and the arts, and the integration of faith and academic inquiry, and we have accomplished this in a large R-1 flagship setting by practicing generous hospitality and principled pluralism.
We host over 60,000 in-person guests each year and an additional 40,000+ guests digitally (2025 data). As a leading member of the Consortium of Christian Study Centers, SLBF gathers communities, educates for formation, and produces scholarship both on campus and at our leadership retreat center, Dottie's Ranch, located just outside of Madison.
We host over 60,000 in-person guests each year and an additional 40,000+ guests digitally (2025 data). As a leading member of the Consortium of Christian Study Centers, SLBF gathers communities, educates for formation, and produces scholarship both on campus and at our leadership retreat center, Dottie's Ranch, located just outside of Madison.
Explore our initiatives:
- Upper House Commons: Outward-facing programming gathering the university and Madison community for spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation.
- Upper House Fellows Program: A vibrant, diverse community for UW—Madison graduate and undergrad students that addresses the big questions of life, faith, and calling.
- The Lumen Center: A community of scholars reconnecting Christian thought and the academic disciplines through writing, teaching, and public engagement.
- New College Madison: Academic programs that offer UW—Madison students access to the Christian story that is both accurate and faithful to tradition.
- STUDIO: Creative media content from events and podcasts for individuals and communities for a deeply formed life.
