Brown-Forman Grants

The Brown-Forman Grants aim to enhance community vitality through strategic funding focused on arts, essential living standards, and responsible living. Emphasizing support for nonprofit organizations, the Foundation prioritizes initiatives that improve well-being, education, and environmental sustainability, particularly in Louisville, Kentucky. Organizations seeking funding must align with these goals and demonstrate measurable project outcomes. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests or applications from ineligible entities, ensuring that resources are directed towards fostering impactful community engagement.

To Brown‑Forman, being a responsible and caring corporate citizen is more than an investment; it embodies our company’s purpose of enriching life.
Funding Priorities
The Foundation partners with organizations that are aligned with its strategic focus areas:

• Enhance Arts and Cultural Living:
• Increase access to vibrant, diverse, and educational arts & cultural experiences.
• Ensure Essential Living Standards
• Support social services that improve well-being and strengthen communities.Fund education initiatives that provide opportunities for lifelong success.
• Empower Responsible and Sustainable Living

Types of Requests
Charitable contributions are divided between the Brown‑Forman Foundation and the Corporation. Nonprofit organizations that meet the funding criteria below may apply one time per fiscal year (May 1- April 30). Separate grant applications are required for each entity (corporation/foundation).
The Corporation will consider:
Unrestricted operating supportRestricted program supportEvent or performance sponsorship with any material return benefits such as tickets, product promotion, etc.

Eligibility

To be considered for funding, organizations and their programs should meet the following conditions:The organization (or fiscal sponsor) must be determined by the IRS to be a tax-exempt organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and a public charity described in Section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) of the Code, that is operated exclusively for charitable, scientific, or educational purposes.The organization’s mission and project outcomes must align with one or more of the Foundation’s strategic focus areas.Proposals must provide a sound basis of measurement toward project goals and outcomes.

Ineligibility

Neither the Foundation nor the Corporation accepts unsolicited in-kind requests.The following are ineligible to apply for grants from the Foundation:

Individuals; Public schools (K-12);Group tours;Athletic teams, or athletic leagues
;Requests by foreign organizations;
Religious organizations such as churches and synagogues;Any organization that is not a public charity described in either Section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code;Third parties seeking donations on behalf of nonprofit organizations – donations must be made directly to a nonprofit rather than, for example, to a business partner making a request on behalf of an organization;Political organizations or for political campaign purposes;Requests to carry on a voter registration drive;Grant requests for projects that include lobbying, propaganda, or other attempts to influence legislation;
Organizations that lack non-discrimination policies or have a history of discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status;Past grantees of the Foundation that have failed to provide a completed grant agreement, grant report, or other required documentation;Requests to satisfy the personal pledge of a Foundation or Brown-Forman director, officer, key staff person, or family member thereof;Requests that, if granted, would provide a personal benefit to a Foundation or Brown-Forman director, officer, key staff person, or family member thereof, other than naming or similar publicity.