Owsley Brown Ii Family Foundation Inc
The Owsley Brown II Family Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established in 1990 and based in Louisville, Kentucky. The foundation maintains a low public profile and is managed by Zelkova Strategic Partners. It is designated as a 501(c)(3) organization and has been tax-exempt since July 1992.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$60.2M
+11.8% YoY
Revenue
$7.0M
-63.8% YoY
Qualifying Distributions
$10.3M
+170.7% YoY
Expenses
$621K
-24.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Owsley Brown Ii Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $4.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary giving focuses on:
- Higher Education — The largest giving area, with ongoing support provided to the University of Louisville and past grants to institutions including the Kentucky College of Art and Design, Simmons College of Kentucky, and the University of Virginia
- Arts and Culture — Support for local arts organizations and cultural institutions
- Religious Causes — Funding for Christian causes and interfaith initiatives, including grants to the Cathedral of the Assumption and the Center for Interfaith Relations in Louisville
The foundation gives primarily for the arts and education.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $100,000 to $400,000.
How to Apply
** The foundation is not accessible to first-time grantseekers and typically requires a connection to apply. Most funding goes to established relationships, particularly with the University of Louisville.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in the Louisville, Kentucky area and surrounding region.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $60,178,269 (as of 2024)
Historical Financial Data:
- Total assets (2023): $53.8 million
- Revenue (2023): $19.2 million
- Expenses (2023): $822,000
EIN: 61-1189915
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $60,178,269 | $53,839,712 | $35,817,824 |
| Revenue | $6,959,713 | $19,249,438 | $6,564,227 |
| Expenses | $621,156 | $821,856 | $5,573,800 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $10,330,797 | $3,816,771 | $5,353,392 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,606,496 | $10,028,407 | $1,359,003 |
| Distributable Amount | $4,027,413 | $4,475,676 | $4,798,915 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 0 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
152 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for 2024.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTINA LEE BROWN | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| OWSLEY BROWN III | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| BROOKE BROWN BARZUN | SECRETARY/TREASURER/DIRECT | 0.5 | — |
| AUGUSTA BROWN HOLLAND | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| OSHA COWLEY-SHIREMAN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been active in recent years with significant grants supporting community development and cultural institutions:
Committed $1 million to historic properties preservation in Louisville
Louisville, Owsley Brown Foundation commit $1 million to historic propertiesAwarded $1 million to OneWest for West End revitalization efforts
OneWest gets $1M Brown Foundation grant for West End revitalization - LaneSupported the Speed Museum's expansion plans with $18 million from the Owsley Brown II family
Louisville, Owsley Brown Foundation commit $1 million to historic propertiesNamed the Owsley Brown II Center for Artistic Excellence through the Fund for the Arts
Louisville, Owsley Brown Foundation commit $1 million to historic propertiesContact Information
- Address: 427 W Muhammad Ali Blvd Ste 801, Louisville, KY 40202-2328
- Telephone: 502-805-7200
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Owsley Brown Ii Family Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's primary giving focuses on: • **Higher Education** — The largest giving area, with ongoing support provided to the University of Louisville and past grants to institutions including the Kentucky College of Art and Design, Simmons College of Kentucky, and the University of Virginia • **Arts and Culture** — Support for local arts organizations and cultural institutions • **Religious Causes** — Funding for Christian causes and interfaith initiatives, including grants to the Cathedr…
How do I apply for a grant from Owsley Brown Ii Family Foundation Inc?
**Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $100,000 to $400,000. **Recent Activity:** The foundation has demonstrated active grantmaking in recent years, including: • $1 million commitment to historic properties preservation in Louisville • $1 million grant to OneWest for West End revitalization • $18 million from the Owsley Brown II family to support the Speed Museum expansion plans **Application Process:** The foundation is not accessible to first-time grantseekers and typically requires a co…
Where does Owsley Brown Ii Family Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in the Louisville, Kentucky area and surrounding region.
How much is Owsley Brown Ii Family Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Owsley Brown Ii Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $4.0M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Owsley Brown Ii Family Foundation Inc's EIN?
Owsley Brown Ii Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-1189915. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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