Monroe-Brown Foundation
The Monroe-Brown Foundation is a private foundation based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Established in 1986 as a memorial to Albertine Monroe Brown and Robert Judson Brown, it supports education and skills development, with a stated goal of helping students pursue higher education and build careers in the Kalamazoo area.
Monroe-Brown Foundation at a glance
In short: Monroe-Brown Foundation gave $3.3M across 17 grants in 2025 (avg $195K), mostly in Michigan. 57% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,312,856
- +59.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 17
- +41.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $194,874
- +12.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $72,667
- Total assets
- $22,929,900
- -6.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 57% first-time grantees (8 of 14, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (55% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Monroe-Brown Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. For the scholarship and internship program, interested students are directed to contact participating host companies about how to apply; each company selects its own interns.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 51716, Kalamazoo, MI 49005
Phone: (269) 329-1808
Website: https://www.monroebrown.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Monroe-Brown Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of Michigan ($875K across 4 grants). Together the top 10 received $3.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
80 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 42 grants of 80 (53%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 55% of grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan, 15% to South Carolina, 15% to Nebraska, and 15% to Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Monroe-Brown Foundation open to new grantees?
57%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 14 grantees (57%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $278K; repeat grants $181K. How we count
Medians: $323K first-time, $55K repeat.
- 36% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 103% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 195% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $413K (2023) to $3.3M (2025). In 2025 it made 17 grants totaling $3.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Foundation of Greenville Greenville, SC | General | $500,000 |
| DAFGIVING360 Omaha, NE | General | $500,000 |
| Kalamazoo Community Foundation Kalamazoo, MI | General | $500,000 |
| University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI | Athletics Locker Room Fund | $500,000 |
| Vanguard Charitable Burtonsville, MD | General | $500,000 |
| University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI | VC FUND | $250,000 |
| United Way of South Central Michigan Kalamazoo, MI | General | $145,000 |
| University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI | Alzheimers Fund | $100,000 |
| Western Michigan University Foundation Kalamazoo, MI | Entrepreneurship Program | $72,667 |
| Gilmore Piano Festival Kalamazoo, MI | General | $60,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Monroe-Brown Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $22,929,900 | $2,101,486 | $3,713,287 | $3,312,856 | 17 | $3,503,208 | $2,031,671 | $1,795,330 |
| 2024 | $24,541,701 | $1,205,242 | $2,457,107 | $2,077,805 | 12 | $2,261,414 | $1,350,922 | $1,756,138 |
| 2023 | $25,793,566 | $1,086,097 | $775,704 | $412,667 | 10 | $630,379 | $981,628 | $1,540,959 |
| 2022 | $25,483,173 | $919,036 | $1,938,228 | $1,630,619 | 19 | $1,775,735 | $1,500,441 | $1,482,071 |
| 2021 | $26,504,091 | $11,468,964 | $1,714,060 | $1,365,152 | 22 | $1,458,150 | $6,975,245 | $1,584,315 |
| 2020 | $16,820,025 | $851,061 | $1,753,500 | $1,609,919 | 28 | — | $296,048 | $1,154,067 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Monroe-Brown Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.8M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to better lives and strengthen the community by providing opportunities for education and skills development. Its vision is that educational and skills-development opportunities be available to all people so they can improve their lives and enrich their communities.
Its 2025 grants included support for universities and community organizations. Examples include a $500,000 grant to the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, whose mission is to mobilize people, resources, and expertise to advance racial, social, and economic justice, and a $145,000 grant to United Way of an individual recipient, which says it brings together people, ideas, and resources to help create a flourishing, equitable life for everyone. Other 2025 grant purposes included an athletics locker room fund, a venture-capital fund, an Alzheimer’s fund, and an entrepreneurship program.
The foundation also describes a scholarship and internship program for eligible students at specified colleges and universities. Students must be incoming juniors, seniors, or graduate students and full-time during the fall of the application year. For students at Michigan State University or the University of Michigan, eligibility also requires graduation from a Kalamazoo County high school. Participating host companies select interns using their own hiring methods and criteria. Students receive at least minimum wage for at least 400 hours of summer work. This is a student program, not a grant application for outside organizations.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 17 grants totaling $3,312,856. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $500,000, with a median of $72,667. The largest grants included $500,000 each to the Community Foundation of Greenville, DAFGiving360, Kalamazoo Community Foundation, the University of Michigan for an athletics locker room fund, and Vanguard Charitable. Other notable grants included $250,000 to the University of Michigan for a venture-capital fund, $145,000 to United Way of an individual recipient, and $72,667 to Western Michigan University Foundation for an entrepreneurship program.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Frederick O Brown as president and trustee; A J Todd IV as vice president and trustee; Jane B Todd as treasurer and trustee; and Robert M Brown Jr as secretary and trustee. It also lists Andrew Brown, Catherine E Brown Webb, Eric M Todd, and Stephen Todd as trustees.
Monroe-Brown Foundation is led by Frederick O. Brown, President & Trustee since 2022 (on filings since 2020); none of the 8 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Frederick O. Brown
President & Trustee
Secretary & Trustee → President & Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
A. J. Todd IV
Vice President & Trustee
President & Trustee → Vice President & Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Brown
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Catherine E. Brown Webb
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric M. Todd
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jane B. Todd
Treasurer & Trustee
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert M. Brown Jr.
Secretary & Trustee
Trustee → Secretary & Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Todd
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Monroe-Brown Foundation
How much does Monroe-Brown Foundation give each year?
Monroe-Brown Foundation gave $3.3M across 17 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.1M across 12 grants.
What is Monroe-Brown Foundation's typical grant size?
Monroe-Brown Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $72,667, and its average grant was $194,874, across 17 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Monroe-Brown Foundation that year got $278K on average.
Where does Monroe-Brown Foundation give grants?
Monroe-Brown Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 55% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were South Carolina (15%) and Nebraska (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Kalamazoo, MI (8 grants) and Ann Arbor, MI (4 grants).
Does Monroe-Brown Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 65% of Monroe-Brown Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (11 of 17) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Monroe-Brown Foundation's largest grantees?
Monroe-Brown Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include University of Michigan ($875,000 across 4 grants), Community Foundation of Greenville ($500,000) and DAFGIVING360 ($500,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 57% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Monroe-Brown Foundation?
Monroe-Brown Foundation reported $22.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Monroe-Brown Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to better lives and strengthen the community by providing opportunities for education and skills development. Its vision is that educational and skills-development opportunities be available to all people so they can improve their lives and enrich their communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Monroe-Brown Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Monroe-Brown Foundation's EIN?
Monroe-Brown Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-2513263. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Monroe-Brown Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 4, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 6, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Monroe-Brown Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Lakeview Foundation
Paw Paw, MI
Lakeview Foundation funds higher-education scholarships for students from eastern Van Buren County, Michigan, pursuing nursing or another healthcare degree; awards are paid directly to colleges. Its typical giving level is not stated, and the profile does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.6M
Grants
11
Total Given
$207K
Lavere & Gladys Chase Scholarship FD
Detroit, MI
The Lavere & Gladys Chase Scholarship Foundation funds student scholarships, with recent grants typically around $1,000 (2025 awards ranged from $1,000 to $4,400). Most 2025 funding went to recipients in Michigan, with smaller amounts in four other states. A 2023 filing lists an application form and contact, indicating an application process; it does not explicitly state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$670K
Grants
15
Total Given
$25K
IBM International Foundation
Armonk, NY
The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
Myer & Lois Franklin Charitable Tr
Jackson, MI
The foundation primarily funds scholarships through Michigan colleges and universities, with most of its giving in Michigan. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $56,000 in 2025, though the stated application award range is $500–$5,000. It accepts applications through the Jackson Community Foundation beginning in November, until 200 applications have been received.
Assets
$6.1M
Grants
38
Total Given
$320K
H P & Genevieve Connable Fund
Kalamazoo, MI
The H P & Genevieve Connable Fund supports a range of charitable work, including human services, education, health, arts, and community projects, primarily in Michigan, especially the Kalamazoo area. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,000 to $15,000, with a median of $3,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.8M
Grants
46
Total Given
$190K
The Allegan County Community Foundation
Allegan, MI
The Allegan County Community Foundation funds programs that improve life for Allegan County residents, including work in basic needs, arts and culture, conservation, economic development, animal welfare, nonprofit capacity, and youth services. Its 2022 Legacy Grant awards ranged from $1,000 to $20,000, while TAG youth grants ranged from $750 to $10,000; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$26.6M
Grants
26
Total Given
$349K
More similar funders
More Funders in Michigan
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Monroe-Brown Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/monroe-brown-foundation-morg_69692e8f117741bf9fc39fc4ed5f0e89
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_382513263_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Monroe-Brown Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/monroe-brown-foundation-morg_69692e8f117741bf9fc39fc4ed5f0e89},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Monroe-Brown Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Monroe-Brown Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?