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Brown-Forman Foundation

Annual Giving
$7.3M

Brown-Forman Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7.25 million (2025)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Quarterly review cycles
  • Grant Range: Not publicly specified
  • Geographic Focus: Louisville, Kentucky

Contact Details

  • Website: www.brownformanfoundation.org
  • Phone: Not publicly listed
  • Email: Not publicly listed
  • Application Deadlines: May 1, August 1, November 1, February 1

Overview

The Brown-Forman Foundation was established in 2018 and received its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in February 2019. As the corporate foundation of Brown-Forman Corporation, it manages assets of $100 million and distributes approximately $7.25 million annually in charitable grants. The foundation is dedicated to "living a spirit of commitment" and believes that "Brown-Forman is only as strong as the communities to which we belong." Their philanthropic efforts focus exclusively on Louisville, Kentucky, where the company is headquartered. As of December 31, 2023, the foundation has granted over $25 million to more than 80 nonprofit organizations and has committed $50 million over 10 years specifically to advance educational opportunities in the region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a quarterly grant review process with set deadlines throughout the year. While specific grant amounts are not publicly disclosed, the foundation has demonstrated capacity for both large-scale commitments (such as their $50 million, 10-year educational initiative) and ongoing support to multiple organizations.

Priority Areas

  • Educational opportunities and advancement
  • Community development and transformation
  • Nonprofit capacity building
  • Direct community impact initiatives in Louisville

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly does not provide grants to:

  • Individuals
  • Public schools
  • Religious organizations (for religious purposes)
  • Political organizations or campaigns
  • Athletic teams
  • Foreign/international organizations
  • Organizations outside the Louisville area

Governance and Leadership

Key Officers and Directors:

  • Crystal Peterson - President
  • Jill Horn - Executive Director
  • Sue Perram - Treasurer
  • Lawson Whiting - Director
  • Chris Brown - Director

All officers serve without compensation, reflecting the foundation's corporate philanthropic structure.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Organizations must submit proposals through the foundation's application process, adhering to quarterly deadlines: May 1, August 1, November 1, and February 1. Applications must include:

  • Proof of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
  • Demonstration of Louisville location or direct community impact
  • Clear alignment with foundation focus areas
  • Measurable project goals and outcomes
  • Evaluation metrics for project success

Decision Timeline

The foundation reviews applications on a quarterly basis following each submission deadline. Specific notification timelines are not publicly disclosed.

Success Rates

The foundation has supported 80+ nonprofits since 2018 but does not publish application success rates or the total number of applications received.

Reapplication Policy

No specific information about reapplication policies or waiting periods is publicly available.

Application Success Factors

To strengthen applications to the Brown-Forman Foundation:

  • Clearly demonstrate direct impact on the Louisville community
  • Provide specific, measurable outcomes and evaluation metrics
  • Show how the project creates transformative change rather than incremental improvements
  • Align proposals with educational advancement or community development themes
  • Submit complete applications by the quarterly deadlines
  • Emphasize partnership potential and long-term sustainability

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • The foundation exclusively funds Louisville-area organizations or programs directly benefiting the community
  • Educational initiatives appear to receive priority consideration, given the $50 million, 10-year commitment
  • The foundation values transformative partnerships over transactional grant relationships
  • Quarterly deadlines provide multiple opportunities annually but require advance planning
  • As a corporate foundation, they emphasize community strengthening that aligns with corporate presence
  • With $100 million in assets and $7.25 million in annual giving, they have capacity for significant grants
  • The relatively new foundation (established 2018) may still be developing specific program guidelines

References

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