The Joseph M Bryan Foundation Of Greater Greensboro Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,714,318 (2022)
• Total Assets: $59,871,696 (2022)
• Grant Range: Up to $30,000 (through United Way partnership); major grants to City of Greensboro and other organizations
• Number of Grants: 48-54 grants annually
• Geographic Focus: Greater Greensboro, NC area
• Founded: 1986 (opened 1997)

Contact Details

Address: 324 W. Wendover Ave., Suite 207, Greensboro, NC 27408

Mailing Address: PO Box 21927, Greensboro, NC 27420-1927

Phone: (336) 691-9803

Leadership Contact: E. S. Melvin, Trustee

Overview

The Joseph M. Bryan Foundation of Greater Greensboro was established in 1986 and opened in 1997, following the death of philanthropist Joseph McKinley Bryan in 1995. With assets totaling approximately $60 million and annual giving of $1.7 million, the foundation supports the economic, cultural, educational, and recreational enrichment of citizens in the greater Greensboro area. A primary purpose is making improvements to the Joseph M. and Kathleen Bryan Park. The foundation has undertaken major projects including funding a $22.5 million minor league baseball stadium, contributing over $5 million to the Bryan Scholars program at UNCG's Bryan School of Business and Economics, and creating a $300,000 annual Bryan Venture Capital Fund through United Way. Led by Chairman and CEO Jim Melvin (former Greensboro mayor), the foundation takes a strategic approach to grantmaking guided by the question: "Would Mr. Bryan approve?"

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through multiple funding mechanisms:

1. Direct Foundation Grants

• Major grants to the City of Greensboro for parks and recreation improvements
• Educational grants to UNCG and other North Carolina institutions
• Economic development projects
• Cultural and community enrichment initiatives

2. United Way Partnership Grants

Through the United Way of Greater Greensboro, the foundation funds two competitive grant programs:

• Kathleen and Joseph Bryan Community and Enrichment Venture Grant (CEVG): Up to $15,000 for new and innovative programs
• Joseph M. Bryan Human Services Grant: Up to $30,000 for stabilization and expansion of programs demonstrating success

Both United Way grants are available to partner and non-partner agencies.

3. Bryan Venture Capital Fund

• $300,000 annually to United Way to explore new community needs and provide flexible funding

Priority Areas

• Economic Development: Keeping the Greensboro area in the "economic mainstream" - described as the foundation's "main thrust"
• Parks and Recreation: Improvements to Joseph M. and Kathleen Bryan Park, including soccer complex expansions, golf course renovations, and recreational facilities
• Education: Scholarships, endowments, and facility improvements at educational institutions, particularly UNCG
• Cultural Enrichment: Community projects that enhance quality of life
• Community Innovation: New and innovative approaches to addressing community needs (through CEVG grants)

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, though the foundation's focus is exclusively on the greater Greensboro, NC area.

Governance and Leadership

Jim Melvin - Chairman and CEO

• Greensboro's longest-serving mayor
• Former banker
• Has led the foundation with a philosophy of asking "Would Mr. Bryan approve?" when evaluating projects
• Quote: "Mr. Bryan was concerned that our area would stay in the economic mainstream... We lost all of our textile tobacco and furniture and so forth."

Trustees:

• E. S. Melvin
• Carole W. Bruce
• Shirley T. Frye

The foundation maintains close ties to Joseph M. Bryan's original vision, established when he created the Bryan Family Foundation in 1955. Joseph McKinley Bryan (1896-1995) was an insurance executive, broadcast pioneer, and philanthropist who prioritized education and economic development.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For United Way Partnership Grants (CEVG and Bryan Human Services):

• Submit a Letter of Interest through the United Way of Greater Greensboro
• Application details available at: www.unitedwaygso.org/our-grants/
• Applications accepted from both United Way partner and non-partner agencies
• These grants are evaluated as part of United Way's regular grant cycle

For Direct Foundation Grants: This funder does not have a public application process for direct grants from the foundation. Major grants appear to be awarded through trustee discretion and the foundation's strategic initiatives. The City of Greensboro is a documented major grantee, receiving support for parks, recreation, and infrastructure projects.

Decision Timeline

Timing varies by grant type:

• United Way partnership grants follow United Way's annual cycle (Intent to Apply typically in January, applications in February, notifications in June)
• Direct foundation grants appear to be awarded on a rolling or discretionary basis throughout the year

Success Rates

In 2022, the foundation made 48-54 grants totaling $1,714,318. Success rates for the competitive United Way partnership grants are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

For United Way partnership grants, organizations can reapply annually. Policy for direct foundation grants is not publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented activities and leadership philosophy:

For United Way Partnership Grants:

• Demonstrate innovation (for CEVG): The Venture Capital Fund was created specifically to "explore new problems" and "find new needs and fill them"
• Show proven success (for Bryan Human Services): The foundation seeks to support "programs already demonstrating success" for stabilization and expansion
• Address poverty: Both grant programs aim to "break the cycle of poverty in the Greater Greensboro community"
• Align with priority areas: Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Healthy Communities

For Direct Foundation Grants:

• Economic development impact: This is explicitly the foundation's "main thrust"
• Alignment with Mr. Bryan's values: Leadership evaluates projects by asking "Would he want us to do that?"
• Community-wide benefit: Focus on projects that serve the greater Greensboro area
• Long-term sustainability: Major investments (stadium, scholarships, park improvements) show preference for lasting impact

Recent Funded Projects:

• Bryan Park Soccer Complex improvements (new AstroTurf fields and lighting upgrades)
• Gillespie Golf Course renovation (working partnership with City of Greensboro)
• Gateway Gardens
• Bryan Scholars program at UNCG ($5+ million over time)
• Minor league baseball stadium ($22.5 million, later sold to the Grasshoppers)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Two distinct pathways exist: Smaller grants ($15,000-$30,000) through United Way partnerships with clear application processes, or larger strategic grants through trustee discretion
• Economic development is paramount: The foundation was created with economic development as its core mission; applications should demonstrate economic impact
• Innovation vs. proven success: CEVG grants favor new approaches; Bryan Human Services grants favor scaling what works
• Geographic restriction: Exclusively focused on greater Greensboro area - organizations outside this area will not be funded
• Honor the founder's vision: The foundation operates with deep respect for Joseph M. Bryan's original intent; understanding his legacy and values strengthens applications
• Major projects require relationships: The foundation's largest grants (stadium, UNCG scholarships, park improvements) emerged from strategic partnerships rather than unsolicited applications
• United Way connection provides access: For organizations without existing foundation relationships, the United Way partnership grants offer a clear entry point

References

• Foundation Directory (Candid): https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=BRYA026 (Accessed January 2026)
• Cause IQ Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-joseph-m-bryan-foundation,561548051/ (Accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/561548051 (Accessed January 2026)
• United Way of Greater Greensboro Bryan/CEVG Grants: https://communityengagement.uncg.edu/united-way-of-greater-greensboro-bryancevg-grants/ (Accessed January 2026)
• PBS Side by Side with Nido Qubein - Jim Melvin Interview: https://www.pbs.org/video/jim-melvin-president-ceo-joseph-m-bryan-foundation-40diq0/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Bryan School of Business & Economics Scholarships: https://bryan.uncg.edu/scholarships-that-change-lives/ (Accessed January 2026)
• City of Greensboro News - Bryan Park Soccer Complex: https://www.greensboro-nc.gov/Home/Components/News/News/20837/36 (Accessed January 2026)
• Joseph M. Bryan Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_M._Bryan (Accessed January 2026)
• Greensboro Chamber of Commerce: https://chamber.greensboro.org/list/Details/joseph-m-bryan-foundation-of-greater-greensboro-1759820 (Accessed January 2026)