James Graham Brown Foundation Inc
The James Graham Brown Foundation is a private foundation established in 1954 and based in Louisville, Kentucky. The foundation was created to carry forward the philanthropic legacy of James Graham Brown, a Louisville hotel owner and holder of vast timberlands. Upon his death in 1969, Mr. Brown willed almost all of his estate to the foundation. The foundation is one of the largest private foundations focused on the Commonwealth of Kentucky and operates with a dedicated staff of seven employees.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$391.0M
+6.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$14.9M
+18.8% YoY
Grant Count
50
-13.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$299K
+37.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, James Graham Brown Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $18.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to give for higher education, civic organizations, community and economic development, human service organizations, culture and humanities, and health. According to the terms of James Graham Brown's will, a substantial part of the foundation's available funds and assets are used to make grants to projects that promote the well-being of citizens of Louisville and the state of Kentucky in matters of business, education, health, and general welfare and advancement.
The foundation's strategic outcomes include:
- Opportunities for all
- Civic engagement
- Improved perceptions of Kentucky
- Improved well-being of citizens of Kentucky
Primary focus areas include:
- Health and Well-being
- Civic and Cultural Assets
- Community and Economic Development
- Education
Grantmaking
The foundation operates two primary grant programs:
Grant Range
s are between $150,000–$500,000 for nonprofit organizations located primarily in the Louisville metro area. Organizations should demonstrate significant financial support for projects, including contributions from private donors, private and public grants, and other sustainable sources of revenue.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds projects in Louisville and throughout Kentucky. However, grant activity has also been documented in the District of Columbia and Oregon.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $366,000,000 (as of 2023); $390,953,333 (as of 2024)
Annual Revenue: $31,229,055
2023 Financial Summary:
- Total Revenue: $11,900,000
- Total Expenses: $16,900,000
- Total Assets: $366,000,000
- Total Liabilities: $5,270,000
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) organization; tax-exempt since August 1964; EIN 61-0724060
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $390,953,333 | $366,389,366 | $332,997,825 |
| Revenue | $14,322,563 | $11,883,246 | $7,619,738 |
| Expenses | $22,389,850 | $16,908,139 | $20,611,195 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $16,770,976 | $14,166,049 | $17,676,097 |
| Net Investment Income | $17,230,570 | $11,974,945 | $8,681,561 |
| Distributable Amount | $18,615,233 | $16,849,699 | $17,655,044 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from James Graham Brown Foundation Inc
Community & Economic Prosperity Grants
JAMES GRAHAM BROWN FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Education & Workforce Readiness: K-12 Grantmaking
JAMES GRAHAM BROWN FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Education & Workforce Readiness: Place-Based Education Grantmaking
JAMES GRAHAM BROWN FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Rita June Foundation ($1,500,000), Kentucky Derby Museum ($1,025,000), Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education ($1,000,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN RED CROSS LOUISVILLE, KY | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| AMERICANA COMMUNITY CENTER LOUISVILLE, KY | HEALTHCARE EXCELLENCE INITIATIVE | $500,000 |
| AMPED LOUISVILLE, KY | 10-FOR 10 CAMPAIGN | $750,000 |
| ART CENTER OF THE BLUEGRASS DANVILLE, KY | CREATION OF THE GLASS MUSEUM | $250,000 |
| BACKSIDE LEARNING CENTER LOUISVILLE, KY | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| CENTER FOR NONPROFIT EXCELLENCE LOUISVILLE, KY | STRENGTHENING THE IMPACT OF NONPROFITS | $200,000 |
| CENTRE COLLEGE DANVILLE, KY | 2024 BROWN FELLOWS PROGRAM | $229,884 |
| CENTRE COLLEGE DANVILLE, KY | 2024 BROWN FELLOWS PROGRAM | $749,419 |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF LOUISVILLE LOUISVILLE, KY | 2024 MEMBERSHIP | $450 |
| COUNCIL ON FOUNDATIONS WASHINGTON, DC | 2024 PROGRAM SUPPORT | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Trustees:
Stephen P. Campbell – Chairman. A specialist in providing strategic and financial advice to financial institutions on a global basis, with career positions at Lazard Freres & Co, Dresdner Kleinwort, and Wasserstein Perella & Co. He serves on the boards of Berea College, Hardscuffle, Inc., and American Life & Accident Insurance Company of Kentucky.
Crit Luallen – Vice Chair. A former Lieutenant Governor and State Auditor who has served seven Kentucky Governors. Active in retirement with service on several boards including Centre College, Community Trust Bank, Hardscuffle/American Life, Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship, Kentucky Historical Society Foundation, and Executive Branch Ethics Commission.
Jerry Abramson – Trustee. Former mayor of the City of Louisville and most recently served as Executive in Residence at Spalding University.
Ben Chandler – Trustee
Condrad Daniels – Trustee
Sandra Frazier – Trustee
Doug Grissom – Trustee
Lopa Mehrotra – Trustee
Greg Rousos – Trustee
Steve Sautel – Trustee
Aaron Thompson – Trustee
Staff:
- Bleik Pickett – Program Director
- Nick Clifton – Chief Financial Officer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEPHEN CAMPBELL | CHAIRMAN | 10 | $50,000 |
| CRIT LUALLEN | VICE CHAIR | 1 | $16,400 |
| JERRY ABRAMSON | TRUSTEE | 1 | $7,000 |
| BEN CHANDLER | TRUSTEE | 1 | $16,400 |
| CONDRAD DANIELS | TRUSTEE | 1 | $11,800 |
| SANDRA FRAZIER | TRUSTEE | 1 | $13,800 |
| DOUG GRISSOM | TRUSTEE | 1 | $19,200 |
| LOPA MEHROTRA | TRUSTEE | 1 | $15,800 |
| GREG ROUSOS | TRUSTEE | 1 | $5,800 |
| STEVE SAUTEL | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| AARON THOMPSON | TRUSTEE | 1 | $16,800 |
| R ALEX RANKIN | TRUSTEE (PREVIOUS) | 1 | $11,000 |
| R TED STEINBOCK MD | TRUSTEE (PREVIOUS) | 1 | $11,800 |
| MASON RUMMEL | PRESIDENT, CEO | 50 | $381,315 |
| WILLIAM CLIFTON | TREASURER, CFO | 40 | $151,067 |
| BLEIK PICKETT | SECRETARY | 40 | $165,413 |
| KATHY KOTCAMP | TREASURER/SECRETARY (PREVIOUS) | 30 | $56,132 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent grant announcements include:
**University of Pikeville:** $1,000,000 grant (December 2025)
**Chestnut Street YMCA:** $500,000 grant (December 2024)
Chestnut Street YMCA receives $500,000 grant**Louisville Free Public Library:** $1,500,000 matching grant for library projects
James V. Brown Library gets 3 grants from different funds | News, Sports,**Waterfront Botanical Gardens:** Grant awarded (2024)
Waterfront Botanical Gardens to Receive James Graham Brown Foundation Grant**Kentucky Derby Museum:** $1,000,000 grant (May 2024)
The foundation maintains an active grantmaking program with recent grant activity documented in current tax filings and continues to accept applications for both strategic and responsive community grants.
Waterfront Botanical Gardens to Receive James Graham Brown Foundation GrantFrequently Asked Questions
What does James Graham Brown Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission is to give for higher education, civic organizations, community and economic development, human service organizations, culture and humanities, and health. According to the terms of James Graham Brown's will, a substantial part of the foundation's available funds and assets are used to make grants to projects that promote the well-being of citizens of Louisville and the state of Kentucky in matters of business, education, health, and general welfare and advancement. The …
How do I apply for a grant from James Graham Brown Foundation Inc?
The foundation operates two primary grant programs: **Strategic Grants:** Larger, longer-term, high-impact projects that are developed in conversation with foundation staff. **Louisville Responsive Community Grants:** Designed to support projects and initiatives that contribute to Louisville's progress and reputation. These grants respond to opportunities identified by community organizations and are designed to strengthen the city's quality of life and overall vitality. Responsive grants typic…
Where does James Graham Brown Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds projects in Louisville and throughout Kentucky. However, grant activity has also been documented in the District of Columbia and Oregon.
What size grants does James Graham Brown Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, James Graham Brown Foundation Inc awarded 50 grants totaling $14.9M — an average of about $299K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is James Graham Brown Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, James Graham Brown Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $18.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is James Graham Brown Foundation Inc's EIN?
James Graham Brown Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-0724060. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in James Graham Brown Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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