The Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation Center opened March 31, 2003. The building broadens the roots of this New Orleans based Foundation which began in 1959. The Brown Foundation Center houses the offices of the Foundation and the Brown Foundation Service Learning Program. The fifth floor headquarters the monthly trustee meeting to review grant applications.

The Brown Foundation Center currently houses non-profit organizations on the third and fourth floors. A community conference room is located on the fourth floor, with space available for 30 participants. The room may be reserved for use by non-profit groups for volunteer training, meetings, lectures or workshop type gatherings.

The Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation was established in 1959 and is involved in funding medical research; housing for the homeless; organizations who care for the sick, hungry or helpless; religious and educational institutions; and organizations and groups concerned with improving our local community. Efforts are restricted to the states of Louisiana and Mississippi with a focus on South Louisiana, the New Orleans area and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The board of trustees is led by the Board President, D. Paul Spencer and is composed of David Spence, Vice-President, Edwin Hunter, Secretary, Betty Estopinal, Treasurer, and Barbara Spencer.

Service Learning is a learn-by-doing approach to the curriculum. Students receive practical, hands-on experience in the subject matter studied by meeting identified community needs through active participation. It is a practical way to take classroom learning and apply it in a “real world” setting. Specific community needs can be addressed by students interested in making a difference in an intentional way. The Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation Service Learning Program evolved from giving community service awards to offering grant applications to schools. Service learning grant applications are available yearly to 6th-12th grades in the following parishes: Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington.