Bravo Family
Champions of Giving: The Bravo Family
Meet the Donors
Mike and Karen Bravo have been part of the Austin Prep family since 2013, when their son Logan entered as an eighth grader in the same year Dr. Hickey began his leadership as Head of School at Austin Prep. Their daughter Catherine, Class of 2020, soon followed, drawn by the community she had already experienced through her brother.
“Logan did a shadow day and walked out of the school and said, ‘That was the best day of school I’ve had in a really long time,’” Karen recalls. “It was such a positive experience for him that Catherine said, ‘How can I not do this?’”
Both children thrived. Logan, Class of 2018, excelled academically and on the athletic fields, playing baseball, soccer, and basketball. Catherine found her own path in academics, leadership, and athletics, staying closely connected to her teachers even years later. “Catherine still writes to Mr. Dowd, honest to gosh,” Karen says. “Logan obviously goes back and visits the school in his connections with JP Pollard and other teachers that provided him experiences and guidance over the years. They were teachers, they were mentors.”
The Inspiration to Give
When the Igniting Hearts campaign began, the Bravo family saw an opportunity to support a place that had given so much to their children.
“Baseball became a very important part of Logan’s time at Austin,” Mike explains. “Having that connection just seemed to be great. We worked with Susan (Belanger, Associate Head of School) from the Development Office at the time, and just talked different options through with her, and that’s where we landed.”
Karen adds, “Our kids really got a lot out of the experience. In hindsight, here we are in 2025 and both of them have said, ‘We wouldn’t be where we are today if we had not gone to Austin Prep.’”
The Bravo Family Flagpole
The Bravo family name is proudly displayed on the center field flagpole at the baseball stadium at Austin Prep. For Mike and Karen, it was a natural and symbolic choice.
“It just made the most sense. Certainly we spent a lot of time down there,” Karen says. "Although Logan never played on the redeveloped field, the family’s gift was about recognition rather than direct benefit. “It wasn’t so Logan had a place to play, but maybe to recognize the experience that he had playing baseball here,” Mike says.
Their giving has extended beyond athletics. Mike has served on the Board of Trustees, helping to shape Austin Prep’s future. “Being involved in that layer of activity with the board is very rewarding,” he says. “It’s fun to be part of sustaining all the stuff we just talked about, making sure that the school has the resources, making sure that the school has the support and the compass direction.”
More than a marker in the outfield, this flagpole serves as the heartbeat of game day. It unites players, coaches, and fans in a shared moment of reflection and pride as the national anthem plays—celebrating both our country and the spirit of baseball that brings our community together.
Why Giving Matters
The Bravos believe that philanthropy is essential for Austin Prep to flourish. “Like a lot of things in life, you can’t stand still. You either have to grow or advance, or if you’re not, you’re actually falling behind and eventually going by the wayside,” Mike explains. “And schools don’t survive on tuition alone.”
They also credit leadership for inspiring confidence. “The leadership of Dr. Hickey has been inspiring. Literally everything he writes, you read it and you’re like, wow. To me, leadership like that sets a tone,” Mike says.
For the Bravos, giving is about creating a habit that endures. “Every year, I tell our kids, I don’t care if it’s $20 or $25 or whatever, but just make a donation and just get that reflex where it comes around every year,” Mike says. “Then as they grow in their lives and their careers and they can afford a little bit more, then great, it becomes a little bit more.”
Their story reflects how generosity can honor the past, sustain the present, and inspire the future. For Mike and Karen Bravo, giving is both gratitude for what Austin Prep has meant to their children and a promise to the students yet to come.
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Become a Champion of Giving
The article above is part of our Champions of Giving series, which highlights the individuals and families whose generosity transforms student lives and strengthens the Austin Prep experience. You too can be a Champion of Giving by supporting our students through annual giving, memorial scholarships, or campaign contributions. Your gift helps students learn boldly, lead with purpose, and serve with compassion — creating a lasting impact for generations to come.
Austin Prep Fund
The Austin Prep Fund strengthens every part of school life, providing vital annual support for academics, arts, athletics, and student programs. Each gift empowers teachers, enhances learning spaces, and expands opportunities for students to grow in faith, knowledge, and leadership.
