Thomas R Brown Family Private Foundation
The Thomas R Brown Family Private Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) grantmaking foundation based in Tucson, Arizona. Established in 2005, the foundation operates as a private foundation focused on philanthropic giving across multiple states and communities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$45.6M
+0.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.8M
+48.4% YoY
Grant Count
16
+60.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$173K
-7.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Thomas R Brown Family Private Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's guiding philosophy is expressed through its founder's vision: "Educated and engaged people will have the chance for quality employment and prosperity, and with this will come a higher quality of life and a better community."
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- Science and STEM education
- Human Services
- Philanthropy and Voluntarism
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grantmaking is by invitation only.
Grant Range
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports projects across multiple U.S. states and cities, including:
- Arizona (primary focus)
- California
- Washington
- Colorado
- Indiana
- Massachusetts
- New York
Specific communities served include Brookline, Denver, Ft Branch, Phoenix, Seattle, Tucson, and West Point.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- 2024: $45,601,566
- 2023: $45.4 million
Annual Giving:
- 2024: $2,767,098
- 2023: $1.9 million
- 2022: $2.5 million
Revenue & Expenses:
- 2024 Total Revenue: $1,578,850
- 2024 Total Expenses: $3,477,964
- 2023 Total Revenue: $967,000
- 2023 Total Expenses: $2.38 million
Liabilities:
- 2023: $302,000
Giving Rate: Approximately 4.1% of assets annually (based on 2023 data)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $45,601,566 | $45,444,832 | $44,060,144 |
| Revenue | $1,578,850 | $966,772 | $-462,422 |
| Expenses | $3,477,964 | $2,382,642 | $2,679,706 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,767,098 | $1,865,000 | $2,483,274 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,559,938 | $1,175,822 | $1,394,788 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,211,859 | $2,158,301 | $2,217,189 |
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
53 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Arizona Foundation ($2,144,598), Center for the Future of Arizona ($150,000), Arizona Town Hall ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CENTER FOR THE FUTURE OF ARIZONA PHOENIX, AZ | SUPPORT | $150,000 |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTHERN AZ TUCSON, AZ | SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| HARRIS FAMILY FOUNDATION TUCSON, AZ | SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| LITERACY CONNECTS TUCSON, AZ | SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| PIMA JTED FOUNDATION TUCSON, AZ | SUPPORT | $22,500 |
| SCHOLARSHIPS A-Z TUCSON, AZ | SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| SWEDISH MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION SEATTLE, WA | SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| UNITE AMERICA INSTITUTE DENVER, CO | SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA FOUNDATION TUCSON, AZ | SUPPORT | $2,144,598 |
| EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT FOUNDATION TUCSON, AZ | SUPPORT | $55,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Mary B. Bernal — Chief Executive Officer/Secretary (volunteer, no compensation)
Sarah B. Smallhouse — President/Treasurer (volunteer, no compensation)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARY B BERNAL | CEO/SEC | 2 | — |
| SARAH B SMALLHOUSE | PRES/TREAS | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has supported educational initiatives at the University of Arizona, including funding for a Thomas R. Brown Leadership Chair in electrical and computer engineering. The foundation also maintains active partnerships with Arizona-focused organizations including the Center for the Future of Arizona and Arizona Town Hall.
News & Events - Center for the Future of ArizonaSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Thomas R Brown Family Private Foundation fund?
The foundation's guiding philosophy is expressed through its founder's vision: "Educated and engaged people will have the chance for quality employment and prosperity, and with this will come a higher quality of life and a better community." Primary funding focus areas include: • Education • Science and STEM education • Human Services • Philanthropy and Voluntarism
How do I apply for a grant from Thomas R Brown Family Private Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 12 grants in 2024 • Made 10 grants in 2023 • Made 8 grants in 2022 **Grant Sizes:** • Typical award range: $5,000–$2,144,598 • 2023 median grant: $63,000 • 2023 grant range: $10,000–$675,000 **Recent Grants (2024):** • University of Arizona Foundation: $2,144,598 • Center for the Future of Arizona: $150,000 • Arizona Town Hall: $150,000 **Application Policy:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grantmaking is by invitation only.
Where does Thomas R Brown Family Private Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports projects across multiple U.S. states and cities, including: • Arizona (primary focus) • California • Washington • Colorado • Indiana • Massachusetts • New York Specific communities served include Brookline, Denver, Ft Branch, Phoenix, Seattle, Tucson, and West Point.
What size grants does Thomas R Brown Family Private Foundation award?
In 2024, Thomas R Brown Family Private Foundation awarded 16 grants totaling $2.8M — an average of about $173K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Thomas R Brown Family Private Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Thomas R Brown Family Private Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Thomas R Brown Family Private Foundation's EIN?
Thomas R Brown Family Private Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 55-0899701. 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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