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John Brown Cook Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$2.9M
Grant Range
$28K - $0.4M

John Brown Cook Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,925,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: $28,000 - $363,000 (typical)
  • Geographic Focus: Nationwide with emphasis on New York City metropolitan area
  • Total Assets: $37.69 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: Chester, CT 06412

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website, email, or phone listing. Contact information would need to be obtained through their Form 990-PF filings.

Overview

The John Brown Cook Foundation Inc was established in March 1954 and operates as a private grantmaking foundation based in Chester, Connecticut. With total assets of $37.69 million and annual charitable disbursements of $2.94 million in 2024, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations that address individual rights and freedoms, with a focus on promoting conservative American values. The foundation experienced significant growth starting in 2019, expanding from approximately $3 million in assets to nearly $40 million by 2021. Grants are made to institutions including colleges and universities, educational associations, and public policy research organizations relating to preservation of the American economic system and national defense. The foundation made 14 awards in 2024, continuing its consistent grantmaking activity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a private foundation with trustee-discretion grantmaking. Typical grant range is $28,000 - $363,000 based on historical patterns.

Primary Focus: Education (67% of funding)

Grant Activity:

  • 2024: 14 awards totaling $2,925,000
  • 2023: 11 awards
  • 2022: 15 awards

Priority Areas

  • Higher Education: Colleges and universities aligned with conservative principles
  • Educational Associations: Organizations supporting traditional American values education
  • Public Policy Research: Think tanks and research organizations focused on:
    • Preservation of the American economic system
    • National defense policy
    • Individual rights and freedoms
    • Conservative American values

Geographic Priority: Nationwide with emphasis on the New York City metropolitan area, though the foundation's operations are based in Connecticut (67% of funding directed to the Northeast region).

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but based on the foundation's stated mission, they are unlikely to fund:

  • Organizations not aligned with conservative principles
  • Projects unrelated to education, policy research, or American values
  • International projects outside the foundation's stated geographic focus

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a board of unpaid trustees:

  • Gregory M Cook - Trustee
  • Brett Phaneuf - Trustee
  • Shelley Gregory - Trustee
  • Wallis Graham - Trustee
  • Kirby Lim - Trustee

All trustee positions are unpaid, consistent with private foundation governance practices.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The John Brown Cook Foundation operates as a private foundation with grants determined by trustee discretion. They do not accept unsolicited applications through a public process. Grants are made to institutions and organizations identified by the trustees based on alignment with the foundation's mission and values.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available, as grants are made through trustee discretion rather than a competitive application process.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

As the John Brown Cook Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. Organizations that receive funding from this foundation are typically:

  • Mission-Aligned Institutions: Colleges, universities, and educational associations with demonstrated commitment to conservative American values and principles
  • Established Organizations: The foundation appears to support well-established institutions rather than startup organizations
  • Policy Research Focus: Organizations conducting research on American economic systems, national defense, and individual freedoms
  • Northeast/NYC Presence: While grants are made nationwide, there is particular emphasis on organizations in the New York City metropolitan area and broader Northeast region

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications - grants are made at trustee discretion
  • Conservative Focus Required: Organizations must align with conservative American values, individual rights and freedoms, and preservation of traditional American systems
  • Education is Primary: 67% of funding goes to education-related purposes, particularly higher education and educational associations
  • Substantial Grant Sizes: Typical grants range from $28,000 to $363,000, indicating this foundation makes significant investments in fewer organizations rather than many small grants
  • Geographic Concentration: While nationwide, emphasis is on New York City metropolitan area and Northeast region (67% of funding)
  • Stable Grantmaking: The foundation has demonstrated consistent grantmaking (11-15 awards annually) despite significant asset growth in recent years
  • Private Foundation Model: As a private foundation, the trustees maintain full discretion over grantmaking decisions

References

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