Brown-Forman Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,912,393 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Typically 90 days
• 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 as the corporate foundation of Brown-Forman Corporation. It manages assets of approximately $100 million and distributes several million dollars 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. The foundation has made a significant commitment of $50 million over 10 years specifically to advance educational opportunities in west Louisville through partnerships with five organisations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a quarterly grant review process with set deadlines throughout the year. Decisions are typically made within 90 days following the submission deadline. Nonprofit organisations may apply once per fiscal year (May 1 - April 30). 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 west Louisville educational initiative) and ongoing support to multiple organisations.

Priority Areas

The foundation supports initiatives across five strategic areas:

• Arts and cultural experiences
• Social services
• Education initiatives
• Moderation and reducing alcohol-related harm
• Environmental conservation

Priority is given to organisations located in Louisville, Kentucky.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly does not provide grants to:

• Individuals
• Public schools
• Religious organisations (for religious purposes)
• Political organisations or campaigns
• Athletic teams
• Foreign/international organisations
• Organisations outside the Louisville area
• Unsolicited capital requests (not currently accepting)

Governance and Leadership

Key Officers and Directors:

• Crystal Peterson - President
• Jill Horn - Executive Director and Secretary
• Sue Perram - Director
• Lawson Whiting - Director
• Chris Brown - Director
• Dace Polk Brown - Director
• Owsley Brown III - Director

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

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Organisations must submit proposals through the foundation's online application process, adhering to quarterly deadlines: May 1, August 1, November 1, and February 1. Separate grant applications are required for each entity (corporation/foundation). Organisations may apply once per fiscal year (May 1 - April 30).

Applications must include:

• Proof of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
• Qualification as a public charity described in Section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code
• Demonstration of Louisville location or direct community impact
• Clear alignment with foundation focus areas
• Measurable project goals and outcomes
• Evaluation metrics for project success

There are separate online applications available:

• Brown-Forman Foundation Application - For major restricted programme or unrestricted operating grant requests
• Brown-Forman Event Sponsorship Application - For event sponsorship requests

Decision Timeline

The foundation reviews applications on a quarterly basis following each submission deadline. Funding decisions are typically made within 90 days following the submission deadline.

Success Rates

The foundation does not publish application success rates or the total number of applications received.

Reapplication Policy

Organisations may apply once per fiscal year (May 1 - April 30). No additional 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 one of the five strategic funding areas
• Submit complete applications by the quarterly deadlines
• Emphasise partnership potential and long-term sustainability
• Note that unsolicited capital requests are not currently being accepted

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The foundation exclusively funds Louisville-area organisations or programmes directly benefiting the community
• Educational initiatives appear to receive priority consideration, given the $50 million, 10-year commitment to west Louisville
• The foundation values transformative partnerships over transactional grant relationships
• Quarterly deadlines provide multiple opportunities annually but require advance planning
• As a corporate foundation, they emphasise community strengthening that aligns with corporate presence
• With approximately $100 million in assets, they have capacity for significant grants
• Applications are limited to one per fiscal year (May 1 - April 30)
• Unsolicited capital requests are not currently being accepted
• The foundation supports five strategic areas: arts and cultural experiences, social services, education initiatives, moderation/reducing alcohol-related harm, and environmental conservation

References

• Brown-Forman Foundation Official Website: www.brownformanfoundation.org
• Brown-Forman Grant Guidelines: https://www.brown-forman.com/grant-guidelines-and-criteria
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Brown-Forman Foundation: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/824595018
• GuideStar Profile: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/82-4595018
• Brown-Forman Foundation Community Impact Report