Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation
The Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation is a private foundation based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It reported 13 grants totaling $985,000 in 2025, supporting organizations in Washington, DC, Michigan, and California.
Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation at a glance
In short: Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation gave $985K across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $76K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $985,000
- +147.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 13
- +62.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $75,769
- +52.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $7,471,630
- +19.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (54% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s 2025 filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It accepts unsolicited requests. Applicants should contact Scott E. Andrews and submit a letter stating the charitable purpose and how funds are to be used. The filing lists no deadline and no restrictions on awards.
- Contact
Application contact: Scott E Andrews
Mailing address: 40 Pearl Street Nw Suite 333, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Phone: (616) 459-2009
Email: scott.andrews@timcorpwm.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Woodson Center ($530K). Together the top 10 received $948K.
Grant Size Distribution
26 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 17 grants of 26 (65%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 54% of grant dollars went to recipients in Washington, DC, 45% to recipients in Michigan, and 1% to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
Cities
How Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation gives
- 54% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 237% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (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 $398K (2024) to $1.0M (2023). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $985K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Woodson Center Washington, DC | General | $530,000 |
| City of Coldwater Aquatic Center Coldwater, MI | General | $125,000 |
| Ford Presidential Foundation Grand Rapids, MI | General | $100,000 |
| Childrens Museum of Branch County Coldwater, MI | General | $50,000 |
| Albion Collage Albion, MI | General | $25,000 |
| Frontline Community Church Grand Rapids, MI | General | $25,000 |
| Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Foundation Grand Rapids, MI | General | $25,000 |
| Home Repair Services of Kent County Grand Rapids, MI | General | $22,500 |
| Iccf Community Homes Grand Rapids, MI | General | $22,500 |
| Meals on Wheels Western Michigan Grandville, MI | General | $22,500 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $7,471,630 | $2,189,668 | $988,465 | $985,000 | 13 | $985,309 | $2,134,248 | $416,288 |
| 2024 | $6,270,427 | $280,429 | $403,604 | $397,500 | 8 | $397,500 | $274,325 | $445,098 |
| 2023 | $6,393,602 | $664,447 | $1,012,628 | $1,007,500 | 3 | $1,007,500 | $260,096 | $426,693 |
| 2022 | $6,741,783 | $5,523,483 | $23,021 | — | — | — | $109,235 | $255,243 |
| 2021 | $1,241,321 | $948,145 | $504,359 | $500,500 | 2 | $500,500 | $712,486 | $144,712 |
| 2020 | $1,027,126 | $252,987 | $621,378 | $617,100 | 10 | — | $116,253 | $154,150 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation reported a distributable amount of $416K 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 available filing information does not state the foundation’s mission. Its 2025 grants included organizations whose stated missions address community leadership and violence reduction, children’s learning through play, older adults’ nutrition and well-being, affordable housing, and legal rights. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not a mission statement from the foundation.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 13 grants totaling $985,000. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $530,000, with a median of $25,000. The largest grants included $530,000 to Woodson Center, $125,000 to City of Coldwater Aquatic Center, $100,000 to Ford Presidential Foundation, and $50,000 to Childrens Museum of Branch County. Other listed grants included $25,000 each to Albion Collage, Frontline Community Church, and Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Foundation, and $22,500 each to Home Repair Services of Kent County, ICCF Community Homes, Meals on Wheels Western Michigan, and Senior Neighbors. Pacific Legal Foundation received $10,000.
The grantees describe their work in their own terms: Woodson Center says it empowers community-based leaders to promote solutions addressing crime and violence, restoring families, revitalizing underserved communities, and creating economic enterprises. Childrens Museum of Branch County describes its mission as providing a community-driven, child-centered space for children to explore, learn, and grow through interactive play. Meals on Wheels Western Michigan says it provides nutrition services to promote older adults’ health and independence; Senior Neighbors says it provides services to support older adults’ well-being and self-sufficiency. ICCF Community Homes describes its mission as “Equitable opportunity. Affordable homes. Thriving neighborhoods.” Pacific Legal Foundation says it litigates nationwide to secure Americans’ rights to live responsibly and productively in pursuit of happiness.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists James R. Browne as president, secretary, treasurer, and director; Scott Andrews as vice president and director; and Matthew R. Browne as director.
Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation is led by James R. Browne, President, Secretary, Treasurer & Director since 2021 (on filings since 2020); none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
James R. Browne
President, Secretary, Treasurer & Director
President, Secretary & Director → President, Secretary, Treasurer & Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Andrews
Vice President & Director
Treasurer & Director → Vice President & Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matthew R. Browne
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Robert W. Browne (2020–2021) — Director
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 Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation
How much does Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation give each year?
Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation gave $985K across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $398K across 8 grants.
What is Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation's typical grant size?
Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $75,769, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation give grants?
Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation gives mostly in District of Columbia: 54% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Michigan (45%). The most frequent recipient cities were Grand Rapids, MI (6 grants) and Coldwater, MI (2 grants).
Does Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (13 of 13) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation's largest grantees?
Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Woodson Center ($530,000), City of Coldwater Aquatic Center ($125,000) and Ford Presidential Foundation ($100,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 77% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation?
Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation reported $7.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $985K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $416K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation fund?
The available filing information does not state the foundation’s mission. Its 2025 grants included organizations whose stated missions address community leadership and violence reduction, children’s learning through play, older adults’ nutrition and well-being, affordable housing, and legal rights. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation?
The foundation’s 2025 filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation's EIN?
Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-2452645. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 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 April 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 31, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 30, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 18, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 6, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/robert-w-and-lynn-h-browne-foundation-morg_f696516ed9be42f5b77fae625634c47e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_382452645_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Robert W and Lynn H Browne Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/robert-w-and-lynn-h-browne-foundation-morg_f696516ed9be42f5b77fae625634c47e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. 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 Robert W and Lynn H Browne 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.
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