Education & Workforce Readiness: K-12 Grantmaking

Overview

_NOTE:_

* _A Letter of Interest (LOI) is the first step to submitting an idea and to receiving an invitation to submit a full application._ 
* _LOIs Rolling until October 15, 2025__._ _Typically, LOI submissions receive a response within 2 weeks._
* _See Letter of Inquiry Deadline above for the cutoff date for LOI submissions to be sure you time your submission appropriately._

James Graham Brown Foundation

The James Graham Brown Foundation is dedicated to making transformative philanthropic investments in Louisville and the Commonwealth of Kentucky that build on its strengths to continually advance our city and state.

Our Vision

Louisville and Kentucky are recognized as prosperous and vibrant communities for all.

Our Mission

The James Graham Brown Foundation cultivates progress and civic pride through philanthropic investments that promote the image of Kentucky and Louisville and the well‐being of its citizens.

Area of Impact: Education & Workforce Readiness

The James Graham Brown Foundation (JGBF) believes that equitable educational attainment and aligned workforce systems will increase economic and social mobility for all citizens of Louisville and Kentucky, improving prosperity of the Commonwealth. JGBF makes education grants within three primary focus areas.

* K-12 Grantmaking
* [Postsecondary Grantmaking]()

* [Place-Based Education Grantmaking]()

K-12 Grantmaking

JGBF makes grants with the goal of increasing social and economic mobility for underrepresented students. JGBF prioritizes proposals that support efforts to:

* Build and expand access to coordinated wraparound services
* Create clear and equitable pathways from high school to college and to living-wage and high-wage jobs
* Reduce academic achievement gaps within JCPS
* Create greater alignment between K-12, postsecondary and workforce systems

Funding

With occasional exceptions, the Foundation does not generally make grants under $250,000.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

* Funding concepts presented to JGBF must be endorsed by the organization’s Chief Executive Officer and should be among the organization’s top priorities. 
* K-12 Grantmaking is primarily for Jefferson County.

Ineligibility

* What we don't fund:

* Requests outside the state of Kentucky
* Performing arts
* Requests from religious organizations for religious purposes (including theological seminaries)
* Individuals
* Political entities
* Fundraising events
* Individual public or private pre-K through 12 schools

* JGBF rarely funds projects where it is the sole funder or is expected to provide a significant percentage, more than 30%, of the project budget.