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Brumfield Genrev Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.5M
Grant Range
$3K - $1.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,466,775 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $30,539,949 (2024)
  • Number of Grants: 18 grants (2024)
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $972,000
  • Median Grant: $19,300
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Georgia, with grants to organizations across the United States including Texas, Florida, and Alabama
  • Application Method: Invitation only / preselected organizations

Contact Details

Address: 141 W Jackson Blvd Suite 1310, Chicago, IL 60604

Administrative Contact: c/o John K. Flaherty & Associates, Ltd.

Note: The foundation does not provide public contact information for grant inquiries and has indicated it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Overview

The Brumfield Genrev Foundation was established in December 2021 as a private 501(c)(3) foundation with an initial contribution of approximately $30 million. Based in Chicago, Illinois, the foundation is overseen by trustees Amy W. Brumfield and Hardy T. Brumfield. Hardy Brumfield enjoyed a 30+ year successful career in Chicago before his passing in 2023; his legacy continues through the foundation's philanthropic work. The foundation maintains a significant endowment of over $30 million and distributes approximately $1.4-1.5 million annually in charitable grants. The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on educational institutions, youth development organizations, religious institutions, and health-related charities, with a particular geographic emphasis on Georgia while supporting organizations across multiple states.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Brumfield Genrev Foundation operates as a private foundation with discretionary grantmaking. All grants are categorized as "general purposes" support.

Grant Amounts (2024 data):

  • Largest grant: $972,000 (Goldman Sachs Donor Advised Fund)
  • Major institutional grants: $100,000 (Pace Academy, Rollins College)
  • Mid-range grants: $30,000 (Atlanta Youth Projects, Texas Christian University)
  • Median grant: $19,300
  • Smaller grants range from $2,500 upward

Application Method: Invitation only; the foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations

Priority Areas

Based on recent grantmaking patterns, the foundation supports:

  • Higher Education: Universities and colleges (Rollins College, Texas Christian University)
  • K-12 Education: Private schools and academies (Pace Academy Inc.)
  • Youth Development: Youth-focused organizations (Atlanta Youth Projects)
  • Health Organizations: Medical research and awareness organizations (Alzheimer's Association, American Heart Association)
  • Religious Institutions: Faith-based organizations
  • Donor-Advised Funds: Strategic philanthropic vehicles (Goldman Sachs Donor Advised Fund)

Geographic Focus

While administratively based in Chicago, Illinois, the foundation's grantmaking activity is concentrated in Georgia, particularly the Atlanta area, with additional grants to organizations in Texas, Florida, Alabama, and other U.S. states.

What They Don't Fund

  • International organizations (grants exclusively to U.S.-based organizations)
  • Unsolicited applications from unknown organizations
  • Organizations outside the trustees' network or areas of interest

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

  • Amy W. Brumfield, Trustee (0.5 hours per week, uncompensated)
  • Hardy T. Brumfield, Trustee (deceased 2023)

According to Hardy Brumfield's obituary, "Hardy's hard work and generous spirit will live on through the Brumfield GenRev Foundation."

The foundation's administrative and financial management is handled by John K. Flaherty & Associates, Ltd., a Chicago-based certified public accounting firm established in 1992.

Board Compensation: Neither trustee receives compensation for their service to the foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Brumfield Genrev Foundation does not have a public application process.

The foundation has explicitly indicated that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations" and "does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." This means the foundation:

  • Works exclusively with pre-established partner organizations
  • Does not review or respond to unsolicited grant applications
  • Identifies grant recipients through trustee discretion and existing relationships
  • Makes funding decisions internally without a formal application cycle

Organizations seeking funding from this foundation cannot apply through standard grant application channels.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's connections to both Chicago and Atlanta, organizations in these regions with established reputations in education, youth development, or health may have greater likelihood of trustee awareness. The foundation's significant grant to Pace Academy (a prestigious Atlanta private school) and support for Atlanta Youth Projects suggests personal connections to the Atlanta community may influence grantmaking decisions.

Decision Timeline

As a private foundation making grants to preselected organizations, the foundation does not operate on a publicized decision timeline. Grant distributions appear to occur throughout the year based on trustee discretion.

Success Rates

Not applicable given the invitation-only nature of grantmaking.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the invitation-only nature of grantmaking. The foundation maintains ongoing relationships with selected organizations and may provide repeat funding at the trustees' discretion.

Application Success Factors

Not Applicable: This foundation does not accept applications.

Organizations that have received funding from the Brumfield Genrev Foundation appear to share the following characteristics:

  • Established institutional reputation: Recipients include well-known educational institutions (Pace Academy, Rollins College, Texas Christian University)
  • Geographic connection: Strong representation of Georgia-based organizations, particularly in Atlanta
  • Educational mission: Multiple grants to schools and universities
  • Youth focus: Support for organizations serving young people
  • General operating support: All grants designated for "general purposes" rather than specific projects

The foundation's largest single grant ($972,000 to Goldman Sachs Donor Advised Fund) suggests the trustees may also use donor-advised funds as a vehicle for strategic philanthropy.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications - organizations cannot apply for funding
  • The foundation was established relatively recently (2021) as a vehicle for the Brumfield family's philanthropy
  • Grantmaking reflects personal connections and trustee discretion rather than competitive application processes
  • Georgia-based organizations, particularly in Atlanta, represent the primary geographic focus despite the foundation's Chicago headquarters
  • Educational institutions and youth development organizations appear to be priority areas
  • Grant amounts vary widely from $2,500 to nearly $1 million, with a median around $19,300
  • The foundation maintains a strong endowment base ($30+ million) that should sustain long-term grantmaking

References

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