Brown Science Foundation
Brown Science Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Escondido, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2023. As of 2023, the organization holds $6.3M in total assets. In 2023, it awarded 9 grants totaling $5.2M. Net investment income was $1.1M.
Brown Science Foundation at a glance
In short: Brown Science Foundation gave $5.2M across 9 grants in 2023 (avg $582K), top state California. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $5,234,832
- +140.6% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 9
- +50.0% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $581,648
- +60.4% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $500,000
- Total assets
- $6,345,649
- -45.0% vs 2022
- Primary geography
- California (25% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated September 2026.
Who Brown Science Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Columbia University ($1.0M). Together the top 9 received $5.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
19 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 7 grants of 19 (37%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
How Brown Science Foundation gives
- Giving grew 6880% from 2020 to 2023. Method
- In 2023 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $75K (2020) to $5.2M (2023). In 2023 it made 9 grants totaling $5.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia University New York, NY | For Scientific Research | $1,014,000 |
| Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD | For Scientific Research | $910,000 |
| University of Washington Seattle, WA | For Scientific Research | $607,616 |
| University of California Berkeley Berkeley, CA | For Scientific Research | $550,000 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technolo Cambridge, MA | For Scientific Research | $500,000 |
| Princeton University Princeton, NJ | For Scientific Research | $469,591 |
| Stanford University Stanford, CA | For Scientific Research | $400,000 |
| The Ohio State University Columbus, OH | For Scientific Research | $400,000 |
| University of California Los Angele Pasadena, CA | For Scientific Research | $383,625 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $6,345,649 | $154,640 | $10,437,158 | $5,234,832 | 9 | $5,234,832 | $1,106,884 | $412,542 |
| 2022 | $11,544,169 | $-1,180,267 | $10,204,289 | $2,175,754 | 6 | $2,175,754 | $347,220 | $618,367 |
| 2021 | $15,009,479 | $2,200,892 | $1,274,539 | $1,125,000 | 3 | $1,125,000 | $907,638 | $694,902 |
| 2020 | $14,083,126 | $452,065 | $298,194 | $75,000 | 1 | — | $232,097 | $607,078 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Brown Science Foundation reported a distributable amount of $413K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Brown Science Foundation is led by Ross M. Brown, President & CEO since 2021 (on filings since 2020); none of the 6 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Ross M. Brown
President & CEO
President → President & CEO, 2021
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Adam G. Brown
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Joseph Abkin
Director
CFO → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Kurt H. Brown
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Mark M. Brown
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Sherron Estes Brown
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Sherron Estes-Brown (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Brown Science Foundation
How much does Brown Science Foundation give each year?
Brown Science Foundation gave $5.2M across 9 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $2.2M across 6 grants.
What is Brown Science Foundation's typical grant size?
Brown Science Foundation's median grant in 2023 was $500,000, and its average grant was $581,648, across 9 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Brown Science Foundation give grants?
Brown Science Foundation's top state is California, with 25% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (19%) and Maryland (17%).
Does Brown Science Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2023: none of the 9 grants with a stated purpose on Brown Science Foundation's 2023 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "For Scientific Research" (9 grants).
Who are Brown Science Foundation's largest grantees?
Brown Science Foundation's largest 2023 grantees include Columbia University ($1,014,000), Johns Hopkins University ($910,000) and University of Washington ($607,616), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 48% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
How large is Brown Science Foundation?
Brown Science Foundation reported $6.3M in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $413K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Brown Science Foundation?
Brown Science Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Escondido, CA. It holds $6.3M in total assets as of 2023.
What is Brown Science Foundation's EIN?
Brown Science Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0296153. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
Live grants for the work Brown Science Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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