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James Graham Brown Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$12.6M
Grant Range
$250K - $2.1M
Decision Time
2w

James Graham Brown Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $12,574,512 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $366 million
  • Average Grant Size: $217,000
  • Grant Range: $250,000+ (generally)
  • Geographic Focus: Kentucky (Louisville and Eastern Kentucky)
  • Number of Grants: 58 (2023)
  • Decision Time: 2 weeks for LOI response

Contact Details

Website: https://www.jgbf.org
Email: program@jgbf.org
Address: Louisville, KY 40202

LOI Submission Portal: https://jgbf.givingdata.com/portal/campaign/jgbfloi

Overview

Established as a trust in 1943 and incorporated in 1954, the James Graham Brown Foundation is Kentucky's largest private foundation, with assets totaling approximately $366 million. Founded by Louisville hotel owner and timberland holder James Graham Brown, who willed nearly all of his estate to the foundation upon his death in 1969, the foundation has awarded nearly 3,400 grants totaling over $669 million since its inception. The foundation invests social and financial capital as a catalyst for transformational change in Louisville and throughout Kentucky, with a particular focus on Louisville's West End and Eastern Kentucky—two areas where poverty and inequality have persisted. In 2021, the foundation launched a new strategic plan that made equity a central value across all grantmaking areas, reflecting its commitment to addressing systemic inequities exposed by the pandemic and justice movements.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Education & Workforce
Career-related education and workforce development programs that connect students to career pathways and promote social and economic mobility.

Community & Economic Development
Supports equitable and innovative approaches to developing sustainable communities and a robust economy, with geographic priorities in Louisville's West End and Eastern Kentucky. Focus areas include "responsible revitalization" of depressed areas, capacity building for community organizations, and changing the narrative of target communities.

Quality of Life
Supports initiatives that make Louisville and Kentucky inviting communities where people want to work, play, learn, and lead. Includes human services, civic and cultural organizations, and support for the philanthropic sector itself.

Priority Areas

  • High-quality educational programs that demonstrate impact on social and economic mobility
  • Projects addressing persistent poverty and underinvestment in Louisville's West End
  • Economic development and education for underserved children and families
  • Capacity development of nonprofit organizations addressing Louisville's most pressing social issues
  • Initiatives with equity-driven outcomes that directly impact disinvested and disenfranchised populations
  • Projects demonstrating community need with broad financial support
  • Organizations with strong track records for success
  • Projects resulting in significant impact and enduring outcomes

What They Don't Fund

  • Out-of-state requests
  • Performing arts
  • Religious purposes
  • Individuals
  • Political entities
  • Fundraising events
  • Individual schools
  • Grants under $250,000 (with occasional exceptions)
  • Projects where JGBF would be sole funder or provide more than 30% of project budget

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

  • Stephen P. Campbell - Chairman, Investor
  • Crit Luallen - Vice Chair, Community and State Leader
  • Jerry Abramson - Former Louisville Mayor
  • Ben Chandler - President/CEO, Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky
  • Condrad Daniels - President, HJI Supply Chain Solutions
  • Sandra Frazier - Founder, Tandem Public Relations
  • Doug Grissom - Managing Director, Madison Dearborn Partners
  • Lopa Mehrotra - Civic Leader
  • Greg Rousos - Consultant, CPA, CFP®
  • Stephen D. Sautel - Investor
  • Aaron Thompson - President, Council on Postsecondary Education

Staff Leadership

  • Mason Rummel - President & CEO (joined 1989, became Executive Director 1998, President 2010, CEO 2017)
  • Nick Clifton - Director of Investments & Finance/Treasurer
  • Bleik Pickett - Program Director & Secretary
  • Vanessa Cates - Operations Manager
  • Margie Duvall - Program Assistant
  • Keith Wardrip - Evaluation & Research Officer
  • Eileen Yanoviak - Program Officer

Leadership Insights

Mason Rummel has emphasized the foundation's partnership approach: "Our work isn't just making grants–it's building partnerships. Our team collaborates with communities and leaders who share our vision to identify high impact opportunities."

On specific funding priorities, Rummel has stated: "A strong and healthy public library system is crucial for a thriving civic community" and emphasized support for initiatives that "give students from all backgrounds the support needed to help them persist and earn a degree."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation uses a two-stage application process:

Stage 1: Letter of Interest (LOI)

  • Submit via online portal: https://jgbf.givingdata.com/portal/campaign/jgbfloi
  • Submitted on a rolling basis with three annual deadlines
  • LOI deadlines: January 15, April 15, October 15
  • Response typically received within 2 weeks
  • LOI will be: advanced to full proposal, declined, or held for future consideration

Stage 2: Full Application

  • By invitation only following LOI approval
  • Full application deadlines: March 2, June 1, December 1

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be located in Kentucky
  • Project must have CEO endorsement
  • Project should be among organization's top priorities
  • Generally requires minimum grant size of $250,000
  • Requires broad financial support (JGBF rarely provides more than 30% of project budget)

Decision Timeline

  • LOI response: typically within 2 weeks
  • Full review cycle follows three annual funding rounds aligned with application deadlines
  • Grant announcements made following board review

Success Rates

With 58 grants awarded in 2023 from the foundation's total grantmaking budget of $12.6 million, the foundation is highly selective. The foundation tends to stick with established organizations, though they do accept Letters of Interest from new applicants.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations whose LOIs are declined or held for future consideration may reapply in subsequent funding cycles. Specific waiting periods are not publicly documented, though the foundation's rolling LOI process allows for resubmission.

Application Success Factors

The foundation explicitly states these priorities for evaluation:

  1. Strong Track Record: "In evaluating grant opportunities, the Foundation gives priority to organizations with a strong track record for success and to projects that will result in significant impact and enduring outcomes."

  2. CEO Endorsement and Organizational Priority: Funding concepts must be endorsed by the organization's Chief Executive Officer and should be among the organization's top priorities.

  3. Broad Financial Support: "In most cases, the foundation prioritizes requests that not only demonstrate community need, but also have a broad base of financial support. JGBF rarely funds projects where it is the sole funder or is expected to provide a significant percentage, more than 30%, of the project budget."

  4. Equity Lens: Since the 2021-2023 strategic plan, the board "apply an equity lens to how they approach their grantmaking in each of those areas whenever possible." JGBF prioritizes equity-driven outcomes that directly impact disinvested and disenfranchised populations.

  5. Partnership Approach: The foundation treats grantees as partners and emphasizes building on community strengths rather than deficit-focused approaches.

  6. Transformational Impact: The foundation seeks to support "projects and institutions that enable transformative change that leads to more prosperous and equitable communities."

Recent Grant Examples Demonstrating Priorities:

  • Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education: $2.1 million (2021) to create the Kentucky Student Success Collaborative, the first statewide center linking two- and four-year institutions with business leaders and policymakers to close equity gaps and improve graduation rates
  • Fahe: $1.85 million over three years for Eastern Kentucky flood recovery and modular housing for low-income families
  • Hosparus Health: $500,000 (2023) for the Harshaw Family Grief Counseling Center construction
  • Kentucky Derby Museum: $1 million (2024) to remaster its iconic 360° feature film as part of strategic plan
  • University of Louisville: $1.5 million (2020) for Louisville Community Grocery development

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Focus on transformational impact: Emphasize how your project creates lasting, systemic change rather than temporary interventions
  • Demonstrate equity commitment: Clearly articulate how your project addresses inequities and impacts disinvested populations, particularly in Louisville's West End or Eastern Kentucky
  • Show broad support: Secure other funding sources before applying; JGBF expects to be one of multiple funders (typically ≤30% of budget)
  • Establish track record: Priority given to organizations with proven success; new applicants should emphasize organizational capacity and past achievements
  • Think partnership: Frame your relationship with the foundation as a collaborative partnership, not just funding transaction
  • Align with strategic priorities: Clearly connect your project to one of the three impact areas (Education & Workforce, Community & Economic Development, or Quality of Life)
  • CEO engagement is critical: Ensure the project has top-level organizational support and priority before submitting LOI

References

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