W L Lyons Brown Foundation
The W L Lyons Brown Foundation is a private foundation based in Louisville, Kentucky, established in 1962. The foundation is named after William Lee Lyons Brown, an heir to the Brown-Forman fortune who passed away in 1973. As an independent 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation focuses on improving quality of life through strategic philanthropic giving.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$292K
+55.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.1M
-12.0% YoY
Grant Count
139
-6.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$30K
-6.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, W L Lyons Brown Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's giving priorities center on organizations seeking to improve quality of life, with particular emphasis on:
- Arts and Culture — Including support for landmark arts organizations, historical preservation, and community arts groups
- Education — Supporting educational institutions and STEM education initiatives
- Museums and Cultural Institutions — Funding museums and cultural organizations
- Parks and Environmental Conservation — Supporting environmental causes and natural resources
- Community Development — Funding initiatives that enhance community wellbeing
The foundation prioritizes the Louisville, Kentucky community while also supporting organizations across Kentucky, California, Florida, and other states throughout the United States.
Grantmaking
According to the most recent tax filings, the foundation made 121 grants in 2023. Notable recent grants include:
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports organizations across multiple states, with primary focus on:
- Kentucky — Particularly Louisville
- California
- Florida
- Additional funding in numerous other states including New York, Massachusetts, and others
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $187,393
- Total Giving: $4,684,152
- Total Revenues: $4,846,378
- Total Expenses: $4,856,109
- Investment Income and Dividends: $1,118,217
The foundation's expenses exceed its revenues, indicating it distributes more in grants than it receives in annual income, drawing on accumulated assets.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $291,534 | $187,393 | $197,124 |
| Revenue | $4,307,348 | $4,846,378 | $3,230,676 |
| Expenses | $4,203,207 | $4,856,109 | $5,135,819 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,161,232 | $4,719,109 | $5,019,181 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,275,973 | $4,816,478 | $3,203,438 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,951,497 | $4,158,755 | $4,716,559 |
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
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Center for Interfaith Relations ($150,000), Berry Center ($132,300), Kentucky College of Art and Design ($102,511).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A CURE FOR ROBERT INC LOUISVILLE, KY | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST WASHINGTON, DC | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $40,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS LOUISVILLE, KY | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $11,000 |
| APPALSHOP INC WHITESBURG, KY | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| ATLANTIC SALMON FEDERATION CALIAS, ME | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| AUDUBON-CONNECTICUT GREENWICH, CT | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| BEREA COLLEGE BEREA, KY | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| BERRY CENTER NEW CASTLE, KY | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $132,300 |
| BILLFISH FOUNDATION FT LAUDERDALE, FL | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| BLUEGRASS LAND CONSERVANCY LEXINGTON, KY | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $12,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key personnel include:
- Susannah Scott-Barnes — President/Director
- Owsley Brown III — Vice President/Director
- Elaine Musselman — Secretary/Treasurer/Director
- Susan V Nicholson — Foundation Administrator (compensated position, salary $45,300)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSANNAH SCOTT-BARNES | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| LAINEY MUSSELMAN | SEC/TREASURER/DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| OWSLEY BROWN III | VICE PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| SUSAN V NICHOLSON | FOUNDATION ADMINISTRATOR | 8 | $47,565 |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues active grantmaking with 121 grants distributed in 2023. Recent grantees reflect the foundation's commitment to arts organizations, educational institutions, and cultural preservation in Kentucky and beyond. The foundation maintains a selective approach to grantmaking, identifying and supporting organizations aligned with its priorities rather than responding to unsolicited proposals.
Brown Foundation begins plan for expansive south-side community recreationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does W L Lyons Brown Foundation fund?
The foundation's giving priorities center on organizations seeking to improve quality of life, with particular emphasis on: • **Arts and Culture** — Including support for landmark arts organizations, historical preservation, and community arts groups • **Education** — Supporting educational institutions and STEM education initiatives • **Museums and Cultural Institutions** — Funding museums and cultural organizations • **Parks and Environmental Conservation** — Supporting environmental causes a…
How do I apply for a grant from W L Lyons Brown Foundation?
According to the most recent tax filings, the foundation made 121 grants in 2023. Notable recent grants include: • The Louisville Orchestra: $286,510 (Program and Operational Support) • Episcopal High School: $270,000 (Operational Support) • Illuminate The Arts: $250,000 (Program Support) **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $100,000–$500,000 • Total giving in 2023: $4,684,152 • The foundation does not publicly advertise grant opportunities and selects grantees proactively **Applic…
Where does W L Lyons Brown Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports organizations across multiple states, with primary focus on: • **Kentucky** — Particularly Louisville • **California** • **Florida** • Additional funding in numerous other states including New York, Massachusetts, and others
What size grants does W L Lyons Brown Foundation award?
In 2024, W L Lyons Brown Foundation awarded 139 grants totaling $4.1M — an average of about $30K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is W L Lyons Brown Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, W L Lyons Brown Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.0M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is W L Lyons Brown Foundation's EIN?
W L Lyons Brown Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-0598511. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in W L Lyons Brown Foundation'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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