James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc
The James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Lexington, Kentucky. In its 2024 filing, it reported 12 grants totaling $1,809,122, supporting organizations in Kentucky and Ohio.
James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc gave $1.8M across 12 grants in 2024 (avg $151K), mostly in Kentucky. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,809,122
- -59.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 12
- -7.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $150,760
- -55.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $71,730
- Total assets
- $38,571,284
- +5.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Kentucky (95% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The filing states that no special form is required at this time and that there are no deadlines at this time. It says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations and gives preference to organizations operating in Nicholas County and/or Harrison County, Kentucky.
- Review Cycle
- Not at this time, according to the filing.
- Deadline
- Not at this time, according to the filing.
- Contact
Application contact: Conner Wehrle
Mailing address: 250 W Main St Suite 2300, Lexington, KY 40507
Phone: (859) 235-0622
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Georgetown College ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $1.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
34 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 14 grants of 34 (41%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 95% of grant dollars went to recipients in Kentucky and 5% to recipients in Ohio. The foundation’s filing states a preference for organizations operating in Nicholas County and/or Harrison County, Kentucky.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
Cities
How James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc gives
- 42% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 79% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 67% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $335K (2022) to $4.4M (2023). In 2024 it made 12 grants totaling $1.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Georgetown College Georgetown, KY | Capital Improvements | $1,000,000 |
| Lexington Community Radio dba RadioLEX Lexington, KY | EquipmentUpgrade | $200,000 |
| CynthianaHarrison County Economic Development Authority Inc Cynthiana, KY | Economic Development | $150,000 |
| Harrison Memorial Hospital Cynthiana, KY | Equipment | $100,000 |
| The Bridge Adaptive Sports & Recreation Cincinnati, OH | Cincinnati AdaptiveAthletics Project | $98,066 |
| Bluegrass Community Foundation Lexington, KY | Good Giving Challenge and Match Grant | $90,784 |
| Central Music Academy Lexington, KY | Furniture | $52,675 |
| The Kentucky Trooper Outreach Inc Frankfort, KY | Trooper Island | $40,500 |
| ENRICH Corp Richmond, KY | Structured living renovation | $30,958 |
| Milestones Inc Independence, KY | Purchase tractor | $26,039 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $38,571,284 | $4,239,029 | $2,169,894 | $1,809,122 | 12 | $1,809,122 | $3,325,582 | $2,714,114 |
| 2023 | $36,502,149 | $3,284,085 | $4,723,971 | $4,442,279 | 13 | $4,442,279 | $685,764 | $2,298,734 |
| 2022 | $37,942,035 | $9,553,927 | $667,099 | $335,000 | 3 | $335,000 | $849,537 | $1,792,037 |
| 2021 | $29,055,207 | $2,595,067 | $1,231,587 | $1,010,000 | 2 | $1,010,000 | $2,375,978 | $1,858,474 |
| 2020 | $27,691,727 | $28,596,107 | $1,056,629 | $1,047,500 | 4 | — | $140,448 | $151,970 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $2.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included capital improvements, equipment, economic development, adaptive athletics, and community programs.
The supported organizations describe a range of work. Georgetown College says it provides liberal arts and sciences education under Christian influences. Harrison Memorial Hospital says it provides health and medical care to people in Harrison and surrounding counties. The Bridge Adaptive Sports & Recreation says it promotes adaptive sports and recreation for individuals. ENRICH Corp says it provides employment and job and life skills training for people who may face barriers to employment. Lexington Humane Society says it advocates for compassionate animal treatment, responsible pet ownership, and adoption.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 12 grants totaling $1,809,122. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $1,000,000, with a median grant of $71,730.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $1,000,000 to Georgetown College for capital improvements; $200,000 to Lexington Community Radio dba RadioLEX for an equipment upgrade; $150,000 to Cynthiana-Harrison County Economic Development Authority Inc for economic development; $100,000 to Harrison Memorial Hospital for equipment; and $98,066 to The Bridge Adaptive Sports & Recreation for its Cincinnati Adaptive Athletics Project.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Joni Douglas as director, Harry Richart as board chair and president, and Edwin Culbertson as director.
James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc is led by Harry Richart, Board Chair & President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); all 3 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Harry Richart
Board Chair & President
Director & Secretary → Board Chair & President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2020) → $11K (2024)
Edwin Culbertson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2020) → $11K (2024)
Joni Douglas
Director
Board Chair & President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $11K (2024)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $11K, to Joni Douglas (Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc
How much does James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc give each year?
James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc gave $1.8M across 12 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.4M across 13 grants.
What is James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $71,730, and its average grant was $150,760, across 12 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc give grants?
James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc gives mostly in Kentucky: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Ohio (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Lexington, KY (4 grants) and Cynthiana, KY (2 grants).
Does James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Georgetown College ($1,000,000), Lexington Community Radio dba RadioLEX ($200,000) and CynthianaHarrison County Economic Development Authority Inc ($150,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 75% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc?
James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc reported $38.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included capital improvements, equipment, economic development, adaptive athletics, and community programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc?
The filing states that no special form is required at this time and that there are no deadlines at this time. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc's EIN?
James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-0744635. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/james-a-and-martha-r-brown-charitable-foundation-inc-morg_ed83fd41f48d465b8ddc3b2b6966304f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_830744635_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/james-a-and-martha-r-brown-charitable-foundation-inc-morg_ed83fd41f48d465b8ddc3b2b6966304f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 James A and Martha R Brown Charitable Foundation Inc'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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