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Joe W. & Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.3M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M

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Joe W. & Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,275,313 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $122,250,395 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by programme; LOIs may receive responses years later
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $100,000 (varies by programme)
  • Geographic Focus: Greater New Orleans area (primary), Louisiana and Mississippi (secondary), rest of USA (tertiary)

Contact Details

Address: 320 Metairie Hammond Highway, Suite 500, Metairie, LA 70005

Phone: (504) 834-3433
Fax: (504) 834-3441

General Office Contacts:

Programme-Specific Contacts:

Website: thebrownfoundation.org

Overview

Established in 1959 by Joe W. Brown and Dorothy Dorsett Brown, the foundation was formally created in 1968 and has grown to become one of Louisiana's significant private foundations with assets exceeding $122 million. The foundation operates under the mission statement "Alleviate Human Suffering" and focuses on feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, developing new treatments for the sick, and supporting community benefit programmes. Joe Brown gained his wealth in the oil drilling industry, becoming one of Louisiana's largest independent oil producers, while Dorothy Brown dedicated her time to expanding the Broadwater Beach Hotel in Biloxi, Mississippi after her husband's death. Led by D. Paul Spencer, an American war hero and long-time friend of the Browns, the foundation has supported organisations across Louisiana and Mississippi since its inception. Much of the Browns' philanthropic work was historically anonymous, with notable exceptions including the New Orleans SPCA shelter and Memorial Recreation Centre in Joe W. Brown Park.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

SupportSTEM Programme: $1,000 - $30,000 Supports K-12 schools, universities, and non-profits in Louisiana and Mississippi that have operated for three or more years. Funds STEM curriculum implementation and instruction including professional development, curriculum models, STEM kits, conferences, transportation, consumable materials, equipment, and enrichment programmes. Since launching in 2018, the programme has issued $1,535,982 in total awards. Applications available online and via mail. Application deadline typically falls in mid-March each year for the following academic year cycle.

Service Learning Programme: Varies (typically $1,000 - $20,000) The longest standing programme in the organisation's history, dating back to 1993. Supports K-12 schools implementing service learning projects following the IPARD model (Investigation, Preparation, Action, Reflection, Demonstration) developed by the National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC). Administered through STEM Library Lab partnership. Contact Jestin Moorehead for application details.

Shelter & Food Security Programme: Varies (invitation only) Supports organisations addressing homelessness, offering rehabilitative services for individuals experiencing transitional homeless crises, and providing widespread food access. Food pantries qualify for one year of support; other organisations may receive up to two years. The foundation partners with Second Harvest Food Bank and Louisiana regional food banks to identify qualified pantries and develop application protocols. Organisations must be pre-approved to apply. Application window typically closes at the end of August each year.

Summer Camp Programme: Varies Particularly interested in overnight camps serving children with special needs (e.g., heart transplant recipients) and programmes promoting STEM, reducing summer learning loss through quality instruction in mathematics, maintaining low camper-to-counsellor ratios, or incorporating academic enrichment activities. Only Louisiana and Mississippi locations eligible. Applicants must be non-profits, schools, or CBOs in good standing with the IRS, operating for four or more years. Maximum two years of consecutive support per organisation. Application window typically runs from early November through late January each year.

Emmy Noether Awards: $2,000 - $75,000 Seeks top aspiring female research scientists in any STEM field. Gold medalist receives up to $75,000 ($25,000 annually for three years); two silver medalists receive $25,000 each; up to 10 Emmy Noether Scholars receive $2,000 upon college enrolment plus networking opportunities. Applicants must be female high school seniors from Louisiana or Mississippi with ACT scores of 28 or higher, committed to research-based STEM graduate degrees (Ph.D. or M.S.). Excludes clinical careers like medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, physical/occupational therapy, or veterinary medicine. Administered by CFA in partnership with the foundation.

Emergency Response Programme: Varies Dedicated allocation for emergencies stemming from natural disasters. While prioritising recovery efforts near their geographic base, the foundation supports organisations responding to hurricanes and other disasters, including organisations like Airlink, Rebuilding Together, Samaritan's Purse, Mercy Chefs, The Blood Connection, and American Red Cross.

Basic Science Research Programmes: $100,000 - $255,000+ (invitation only, highly competitive) Typically one major initiative annually in areas including Oncology, Neuroscience, Healthy Aging, Agriculture, or Environmental Science. Top-tier research organisations like LSU, Tulane, Southern University, Salk Institute, Duke University, University of Mississippi Medical Centre, and University of Alabama at Birmingham are invited to compete. Neuroscience programmes support research on mechanisms underlying memory and learning.

Priority Areas

  • Education: STEM education, service learning, scholarships for female STEM students
  • Human Services: Shelter, food security, services for vulnerable populations
  • Medical, Health & Science: Oncology research, neuroscience, healthy aging, basic science research
  • Community Benefit: Emergency disaster response, community improvement programmes
  • Conservation & Environment: Environmental science, wetland conservation

Geographical focus falls first on the Greater New Orleans area, second throughout Louisiana and Mississippi, and third throughout the rest of the United States.

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals
  • Endowments or capital campaigns
  • Brick-and-mortar facility construction
  • Fiscal intermediaries or re-granting organisations
  • Advocacy-based or governmental lobbying programmes
  • Economic development or recreational programmes (preference given to core human suffering initiatives)
  • For SupportSTEM: expenses that don't directly impact K-12 STEM education
  • For Emmy Noether: clinical healthcare careers (medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, physical/occupational therapy, veterinary medicine)

The foundation explicitly states: "We do not solicit or accept volunteers nor do we solicit or accept monetary or in kind donations."

Governance and Leadership

The assets of the foundation are managed by a board of directors. D. Paul Spencer, described as an American war hero and long-time employee and friend of the Browns, leads the governing body with "proud and deeply dedicated" stewardship. Under Spencer's leadership, the board adopted the foundation's mission statement: "Alleviate Human Suffering."

The foundation maintains a professional staff including programme administrators for education initiatives and office management personnel who handle general inquiries. However, specific current board member names are not publicly listed on their website.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: The foundation does not accept applications from individuals and does not accept unsolicited applications for most programmes. Foundation staff are not authorised to assist with completing or submitting applications and will not accept or open attachments to electronically submitted materials.

For New Organisations (Letter of Interest Required):

Prospective applicants must first submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) by certified mail to demonstrate their charitable work and impact. There is no strict format, but the LOI should include:

  1. Cover letter identifying programme, mission, and how the organisation alleviates human suffering or advances scientific knowledge
  2. Funding request (range acceptable)
  3. Impact measurement - preference for objective, measurable outcomes
  4. Operating history - minimum two complete calendar years recommended
  5. Maximum suggested length: 15 pages including exhibits

LOI Submission:

  • Method: One hard copy by certified mail only
  • Address: 320 Metairie Hammond Highway, Suite 500, Metairie, LA 70005
  • No electronic submissions, attachments, or flash drives accepted
  • Applicants must be recognised 501(c)(3) organisations or publicly supported entities (universities, medical research institutions)

Key LOI Restrictions:

  • Do not contact the foundation to inquire if you should submit an LOI
  • Do not contact whilst they are evaluating your LOI
  • You are not guaranteed to receive a response to your LOI
  • Responses may come years later
  • The foundation will generally keep an LOI on file for a minimum of five years, so organisations need not send LOIs more frequently than every five years

For Previous Grantees:

Organisations that have received foundation support within the last three years seeking another grant can log into the foundation's website with a password to access the application packet.

For Specific Public Programmes:

  • SupportSTEM: Download application packet from website; submit via email or postmarked mail (deadline typically mid-March each year)
  • Summer Camp: Download application packet; submit by deadline (typically late January each year)
  • Emmy Noether Awards: Contact Nicole Hebert at emmynoetheraward@thebrownfoundation.org
  • Service Learning: Contact Jestin Moorehead at STEM Library Lab
  • Shelter & Food Security: Invitation only; pre-approval required; application window typically closes at the end of August each year

Decision Timeline

Timelines vary significantly by programme:

  • LOI Review: No guaranteed response timeline; may take years
  • SupportSTEM: Applications close in mid-March; grant period typically runs September 1 - August 1
  • Summer Camp: Applications close in late January; grant period typically May 1 - August 31
  • Service Learning: Contact STEM Library Lab for timeline
  • Shelter & Food Security: Applications close in late August; awards typically announced in December
  • Emergency Response: Rapid response for disaster relief

Notification methods are not standardised and vary by programme. For approved LOIs, organisations receive contact information and a password for formal application access.

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose overall success rates. The foundation's highly competitive programmes, particularly research initiatives, suggest low acceptance rates.

Reapplication Policy

Organisations that received funds through certain programmes for two consecutive years are rotated out of consideration (e.g., Summer Camp Programme). The foundation keeps LOIs on file for a minimum of five years, so organisations should not submit LOIs more frequently than every five years. Specific waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly disclosed.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrate Measurable Impact: The foundation explicitly states preference for "objective, measurable outcomes" in LOI submissions. Quantify your impact on alleviating human suffering or advancing scientific knowledge rather than providing general descriptions of activities.

Focus on Core Mission Alignment: Applications should clearly connect to "alleviating human suffering" - the foundation's adopted mission statement. Direct service programmes addressing hunger, homelessness, illness, or scientific advancement that benefits human welfare are prioritised over economic development or recreational programmes.

Meet Geographic Priorities: Greatest consideration is given to Greater New Orleans area organisations, followed by Louisiana and Mississippi, then the broader United States. Emphasise your local connection and impact in the foundation's primary geographic areas.

Follow Submission Requirements Precisely: The foundation emphasises strict adherence to submission guidelines. For LOIs, only certified mail hard copies are accepted - no electronic submissions, attachments, or flash drives. For specific programmes, follow the exact application instructions provided in each programme packet.

Demonstrate Organisational Stability: Minimum two complete calendar years of operating history recommended for LOI submissions. The foundation seeks established organisations with proven track records rather than startups.

Avoid Restricted Categories: Do not request endowment support, capital campaigns, brick-and-mortar funding, or general operating support. Frame requests around specific projects that directly address human suffering.

For SupportSTEM Applications: All budgetary items must directly impact K-12 STEM education. The programme is described as "highly competitive" and seeks "the best plans" for curriculum implementation or STEM instruction support.

For Service Learning: Projects must incorporate classroom learning, partner with a service organisation, and follow the IPARD model (Investigation, Preparation, Action, Reflection, Demonstration) developed by the National Youth Leadership Council.

For Research Programmes: Focus on innovative fundamental basic science research. Past oncology recipients worked on cutting-edge topics like pancreatic cancer epigenetic approaches, multiple myeloma detection, brain tumour immunotherapy, and tumour metastasis prevention.

Be Patient and Persistent: The foundation explicitly warns: "You are not guaranteed to receive a response to your LOI" and responses may come years later. This suggests the foundation carefully considers applications over extended periods rather than making quick decisions.

Don't Contact for Status Updates: The foundation specifically instructs applicants not to contact them to inquire about LOI submission or evaluation status. Unsolicited calls or requests are not accepted.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Mission-critical alignment: Every application must clearly demonstrate how it "alleviates human suffering" - the foundation's core mission adopted under D. Paul Spencer's leadership
  • Geographic strategy matters: Emphasise Greater New Orleans area impact first, Louisiana/Mississippi second, broader U.S. third to align with stated funding priorities
  • LOI is the gateway: For most programmes, success requires first submitting a compelling Letter of Interest by certified mail (hard copy only) that may sit in review for years before receiving a response
  • Programme-specific applications bypass LOI: SupportSTEM, Service Learning, Summer Camp, and Emmy Noether Awards have direct application processes with published deadlines - use these if your work fits
  • Patience is essential: The foundation operates on extended timelines with no guaranteed response periods; LOIs may receive responses years later, requiring long-term relationship building
  • Measurable outcomes win: The foundation explicitly prefers "objective, measurable outcomes" over narrative descriptions - quantify your impact on human suffering
  • Invitation-only research: Major research programmes and Shelter & Food Security are by invitation only, typically engaging top-tier institutions the foundation already knows - these require existing relationships or recognition in the field

References

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