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Brown Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.3M

Brown Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • EIN: 30-6625162
  • Annual Giving: Approximately $205,504 - $357,545 (varies by year)
  • Total Assets: $3.5 million (2023)
  • Grant Range: Varies (specific amounts not publicly disclosed)
  • Number of Grants: 12 grants annually
  • Geographic Focus: Ponte Vedra Beach/Jacksonville, Florida region
  • Application Method: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Brown Family Foundation c/o David L. Brown Et Al Ttee Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website or published contact information. They operate as a private family foundation with preselected grantees.

Overview

The Brown Family Foundation was established in 2019 as a private family foundation based in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. With total assets of $3.5 million as of 2023, the foundation distributes approximately $200,000-$350,000 annually through 12 grants to preselected charitable organizations. The foundation is led by David L. Brown, former founder and CEO of Web.com (a Jacksonville-based company that was sold for approximately $2 billion in 2018), along with his adult children Katie Brown and Tyler Brown. The foundation's mission is to help people achieve their potential by supporting their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs and assisting organizations that do that effectively. A large portion of the support is oriented toward children and families. The foundation gained significant public recognition in October 2022 when it made a major naming gift to the First Coast YMCA's Ponte Vedra facility, which was renamed the Brown Family YMCA.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through an invitation-only model with preselected charitable organizations. They do not have formal grant programs or cycles, and contributions are made at the discretion of the trustees.

Priority Areas

Based on publicly documented grants and statements from foundation leadership:

  • Children and Families: Major focus area, supporting programs that serve youth development, education, and family wellness
  • Healthcare: Support for children's healthcare facilities (e.g., Wolfson Children's Hospital)
  • Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Needs: Organizations that address holistic human development
  • Community Recreation and Wellness: Support for YMCA and similar community-serving organizations
  • Local Community Impact: Focus on the Ponte Vedra Beach/Jacksonville, Florida area

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. All grants are made to preselected charitable organizations chosen by the trustees.

Governance and Leadership

Leadership:

  • David L. Brown: Trustee and principal donor. Former founder, chairman, president, and CEO of Web.com who retired in early 2019 following the company's $2 billion sale. Native of Ponte Vedra Beach and long-time community philanthropist who helped establish Ponte Vedra Beach's YMCA 23 years ago.

  • Katie Brown: Family representative and advisor to the foundation. Katie stated: "The mission for the Brown Family Foundation is to help people achieve their potential by supporting their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs and assisting organizations that do that effectively. A large portion of the support is oriented toward children and families."

  • Tyler Brown: Family representative and active in foundation initiatives. Tyler serves as advisory board member and capital committee chair for Brown Family YMCA projects. He credits the Y with helping him "learn the value of a good work ethic and self-discipline."

The foundation operates as "David L Brown Et Al Ttee," indicating it functions as a trust with David Brown and others serving as trustees.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Brown Family Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

All grants are made at the discretion of the trustees to organizations they have identified and selected themselves.

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, their documented giving patterns suggest the following approaches may position organizations favorably:

  • Strong Local Presence: The Brown family has deep roots in Ponte Vedra Beach, with documented support focused on local Jacksonville-area organizations
  • Children and Family Focus: Katie Brown explicitly stated that "a large portion of the support is oriented toward children and families"
  • Demonstrated Community Impact: The foundation values organizations that "maximize impact on the community" with proven track records
  • Alignment with Holistic Development: Their mission emphasizes addressing "physical, emotional, and spiritual needs" comprehensively
  • Personal Connections: The Brown family's giving pattern shows support for organizations where family members have direct involvement or longstanding relationships

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications. Grant decisions are made internally by trustees on their own timeline.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, traditional "success factors" do not apply. However, their documented giving provides insights into what they value:

  • Long-Term Community Commitment: David Brown's involvement with the Ponte Vedra YMCA spans over two decades, from helping establish it 23 years ago to the 2022 naming gift
  • Multigenerational Family Engagement: Katie and Tyler Brown are actively involved in supported organizations' advisory boards and committees
  • Measurable Impact on Children: The Brown Family YMCA serves more than 900 children with programming and 100 children in summer camps
  • Natural Mission Alignment: Katie Brown noted the "natural alignment" between the YMCA and their foundation's vision
  • Local Jacksonville/Ponte Vedra Focus: All documented major gifts are to organizations serving their immediate community

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Not Open to Applications: This foundation does not accept unsolicited funding requests and only supports preselected organizations
  • Invitation-Only Model: All grants are made proactively by trustees to organizations they have identified
  • Local Focus: Documented giving is concentrated in the Ponte Vedra Beach/Jacksonville, Florida area
  • Children and Families Priority: The foundation explicitly states that a large portion of support is oriented toward children and families
  • Relationship-Driven: The Brown family's pattern of giving suggests they fund organizations where they have personal connections and direct involvement
  • Long-Term Partnerships: Their sustained support of the YMCA over 20+ years indicates preference for deep, ongoing relationships
  • Modest Annual Distribution: With 12 grants totaling $200,000-$350,000 annually, this is a relatively small family foundation

References

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