← Back to US Funders Directory

Joe W. & Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation

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

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 program; LOIs may receive responses years later
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $100,000 (varies by program)
  • 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:

Program-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 programs. 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 organizations 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 Center in Joe W. Brown Park.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

SupportSTEM Program: $1,000 - $30,000 (application deadline: March 15, 2026 for 2026-27 cycle) Supports K-12 schools, universities, and nonprofits 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 programs. Since launching in 2018, the program has issued $1,535,982 in total awards. For 2023-2024, grants were awarded to 2 universities, 14 agencies, and 9 K-12 schools. Application available online and via mail.

Service Learning Program: Varies (typically $1,000 - $20,000) The longest standing program in the organization'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). In 2024, the foundation approved $325,696 across 66 K-12 schools. Administered through STEM Library Lab partnership. Contact Jestin Moorehead for application details.

Shelter & Food Security Program: Varies (invitation only) Sixth session planned for 2025 with applications closing August 31, 2025. Supports organizations addressing homelessness, offering rehabilitative services for individuals experiencing transitional homeless crises, and providing widespread food access. In recent cycles, 32-45 organizations received grants totaling $827,500. Food pantries qualify for one year of support; other organizations 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. Organizations must be pre-approved to apply.

Summer Camp Program: Varies (application window: November 1, 2025 - January 31, 2026) Particularly interested in overnight camps serving children with special needs (e.g., heart transplant recipients) and programs promoting STEM, reducing summer learning loss through quality instruction in mathematics, maintaining low camper-to-counselor ratios, or incorporating academic enrichment activities. Only Louisiana and Mississippi locations eligible. Applicants must be nonprofits, schools, or CBOs in good standing with the IRS, operating for four or more years. Maximum two years of consecutive support per organization. In March 2024, approved $229,576 for 19 summer camp programs.

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 enrollment 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 Program: Varies Dedicated allocation for emergencies stemming from natural disasters. While prioritizing recovery efforts near their geographic base, the foundation issued $180,000 in 2024 among 7 nonprofits responding to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, supporting organizations like Airlink, Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay, Samaritan's Purse, Mercy Chefs, The Blood Connection, and American Red Cross of Orlando.

Basic Science Research Programs: $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 organizations like LSU, Tulane, Southern University, Salk Institute, Duke University, University of Mississippi Medical Center, and University of Alabama at Birmingham are invited to compete. The 2019 Oncology Program awarded $100,000 grants to researchers at institutions including Tulane Cancer Center, Salk Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering, MD Anderson, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In 2023, issued $255,000 to Huntsman Cancer Institute. Neuroscience programs 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 programs
  • 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 organizations
  • Advocacy-based or governmental lobbying programs
  • Economic development or recreational programs (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 program 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 programs. Foundation staff are not authorized to assist with completing or submitting applications and will not accept or open attachments to electronically submitted materials.

For New Organizations (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 program, mission, and how the organization 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 recognized 501(c)(3) organizations 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 while 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 organizations need not send LOIs more frequently than every five years

For Previous Grantees:

Organizations 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 Programs:

  • SupportSTEM: Download application packet from website; submit via email or postmarked mail by March 15, 2026
  • Summer Camp: Download application packet; submit by January 31, 2026
  • 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 closes August 31, 2025

Decision Timeline

Timelines vary significantly by program:

  • LOI Review: No guaranteed response timeline; may take years
  • SupportSTEM: Applications close March 15; grant period runs September 1 - August 1
  • Summer Camp: Applications close January 31; grant period May 1 - August 31
  • Service Learning: Contact STEM Library Lab for timeline
  • Shelter & Food Security: Applications close August 31; awards typically announced in December
  • Emergency Response: Rapid response for disaster relief

Notification methods are not standardized and vary by program. For approved LOIs, organizations receive contact information and a password for formal application access.

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose overall success rates. However, specific program data indicates:

  • SupportSTEM 2023-2024: Awarded to 2 universities, 14 agencies, and 9 K-12 schools (25 total recipients)
  • Service Learning 2024: $325,696 awarded across 66 K-12 schools
  • Summer Camp 2024: $229,576 awarded to 19 programs
  • Shelter & Food Security: 32-45 organizations per cycle
  • Emmy Noether Awards: 1 gold medalist, 2 silver medalists, up to 10 scholars annually

The foundation's highly competitive programs, particularly research initiatives, suggest low acceptance rates.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations that received funds through certain programs for two consecutive years are rotated out of consideration (e.g., Summer Camp Program). The foundation keeps LOIs on file for a minimum of five years, so organizations 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 programs addressing hunger, homelessness, illness, or scientific advancement that benefits human welfare are prioritized over economic development or recreational programs.

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

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

Demonstrate Organizational Stability: Minimum two complete calendar years of operating history recommended for LOI submissions. The foundation seeks established organizations 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 program is described as "highly competitive" and seeks "the best plans" for curriculum implementation or STEM instruction support. Examples of successful projects include YouthForce NOLA's $20,000 grant for 20 STEM externships and Ursuline Academy's $1,090 grant for the Haitian Engineer Sails Program.

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

For Research Programs: Focus on innovative fundamental basic science research. Past oncology recipients worked on cutting-edge topics like pancreatic cancer epigenetic approaches, multiple myeloma detection, brain tumor immunotherapy, and tumor 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: Emphasize 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 programs, 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
  • Program-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 programs 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

← Back to US Funders Directory