Brown Foundation
OVERVIEW: The Brown Foundation broadly supports education, the arts, civic affairs, healthcare and human services in Texas and across the U.S.
IP TAKE: This funder’s higher education grants tend to support specific projects and programs rather than general operating costs. The foundation prioritizes organizations based in Texas, but funds public and private institutions of higher education in other areas as well.
This funder is accessible and accepts applications through its online portal on an ongoing basis.
PROFILE: Herman Brown, Margarett Root Brown, George R. Brown and Alice Pratt Brown founded the Brown Foundation in 1951. The Browns made their fortune in the construction industry in Texas. The foundation aims to “distribute funds for public charitable purposes, principally for support, encouragement and assistance to education, the arts and community service.” It also awards grants in the areas of humanities, civic and public affairs, human services and medicine/science.
Grants for Higher Education
This funder does not name specific strategies for its higher education grants. In a recent year, the foundation gave over $14 million, about 23% of its philanthropy, to educational causes. While approximately 80 percent of its grants remain in the state of Texas, it also funds colleges and universities in other parts of the U.S. Past grantees include Yale University, which received a grant in support of the Charles D. Ellis Academic Innovation Fund; and Clemson University, which received funding to support its geological sciences endowment.
Grants for Arts and Culture
While the Brown Foundation does not name specific strategies for its arts grantmaking, its annual report shows that it overwhelmingly supports local cultural institutions in Houston, Austin, and other Texas cities, but occasionally makes grants to groups in New York and other cities.
Grants for Film
The foundation’s annual reports show an interest in organizations that promote film and media in Texas and beyond. Grantees include Houston Cinema Arts Society, Houston International Film Festival, and Houston Public Media Foundation.
Grants for Writing
The foundation’s annual reports show an interest in organizations that promote writing and media in Texas and beyond. Grantees include the Book Arts Press and Imprint, Inc.
Grants for Music
The foundation’s annual reports show an interest in music and performing arts institutions in Texas and beyond. Grantees include the Foundation for Modern Music, Chamber Music Houston, Houston Grand Opera Association, Houston Children’s Chorus, Houston Symphony Society, and Music in Context.
Grants for Dance
The foundation’s annual reports show an interest in organizations that promote dance and performing arts in Texas and beyond. Grantees include the Ballet Theater Foundation, Ballroom Cultural Arts Foundation, and Houston International Dance Coalition.
Grants for Theater
The foundation’s annual reports show an interest in theater and performing arts institutions in Texas and beyond. Grantees include the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston, Children’s Theater of Houston, and Marfa Theatre.
Grants for Visual Arts
The foundation’s annual reports show an interest in museums and organizations that promote visual arts in Texas and beyond. Grantees include Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, Houston Center for Photography, and McNay Art Museum.
Grants for Public Health and Diseases
While the Brown Foundation does not name specific strategies, it broadly supports medical institutions and diseases related organizations through its Medicine and Science focus area. It seems particularly interested in increasing access to and quality of health care in Texas. Grantees include Baylor College of Medicine, Bone Marrow Foundation, Christus Foundation for Healthcare, Council on Recovery, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, DARE America, Healthcare for the Homeless, Heartgift Foundation, and Houston Community Health Centers.
Grants for Animal and Wildlife Conservation
While the Brown Foundation does not name specific strategies, it supports animal welfare and wildlife conservation causes through its Civic and Public Affairs focus area. Its annual reports show that it supports national organizations like ASPCA, as well as local groups such as Barrio Dogs, Bat Conservation International, Citizens for Animal Protection, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Georgia Aquarium.
Grants for Environmental Conservation
While the Brown Foundation does not name specific strategies, it supports environmental conservation and habitat preservation causes through its Civic and Public Affairs focus area. Grantees include the Armand Bayou Nature Center, Bayou Preservation Association, Big Thicket Association, Discovery Green Conservancy, Friends of Blue Hole, and Emancipation Park Conservancy.
Grants for Civic, Housing and Community Development
While the Brown Foundation does not name specific strategies, it supports a wide range of community development causes and human services through its Civic and Public Affairs focus area. Grantees include the 100 Club, Charity Ball Association of San Antonio, Dripping Springs Community Library District, and the Greater Houston Community Foundation.
Important Grant Details:
Brown Foundation grants can range anywhere from $5,000 to $2.8 million, but most higher education grants fall in the $5,000 to $50,000 range. While the foundation overwhelmingly supports Texas-based groups, it has also been known to fund organizations located in Arkansas, Georgia, New York, and other states. To learn more about Brown’s grantees, see its latest annual report.
The Brown Foundation accepts applications through four grant cycles per year. New applicants must submit a pre-application in order to be invited to submit a full proposal.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
LINKS: