Grant Program
The Brown Family Foundation was established to embrace and advance the philanthropic vision of The Brown Family. Through Grantmaking, we seek to advocate for many causes while concentrating on aiding those in need.
Grant Eligibility
Before submitting a funding request, please ensure your organization meets the criteria established by The Brown Family Foundation
Grants are made to organizations in the Southeastern United States (North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia).
Consideration may be given to organizations supporting humanitarian efforts outside the continental United States, given that the organization is headquartered within the Southeastern United States (North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia).
The Brown Family Foundation considers a range of factors when making grant award decisions, contingent upon the availability of Foundation funds. These factors include:
- Alignment with the Foundation’s values and mission
- Demonstrated need for funding
- Qualifications and capacity of the organization to carry out the purposes of the grant
- Engagement of the individuals and communities served in program design, implementation, and evaluation
- Contribution to systemic change and addressing root causes of social issues
- Evidence of program sustainability over time
- Acceptable cost-benefit analysis, including reasonable reach and depth of impact for the investment
- Clearly defined and measurable program outcomes that demonstrate impact on the target population
- Completeness of the application, including submission of a current audit or compilation report
The Brown Family Foundation will award grants only to organizations qualified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or local or state government units.
The Brown Family Foundation generally considers applications for the following categories of projects, programs, and services. However, decisions regarding eligibility, approval, and grant amounts are made at the Foundation’s sole discretion:
- Specific program or project expenses that align with the Foundation’s mission and values
- Operating expenses for organizations may be considered, provided the organization demonstrates in the grant application that it is self-sufficient or making progress towards self-sufficiency
- The Brown Family Foundation typically considers annual grants between $5,000 and $50,000, depending on the scope and impact of the proposed project or program.
By considering applications within these parameters, the Foundation aims to fund initiatives that will have a measurable impact and contribute to positive social change.
The Brown Family Foundation does not award grants to individuals, private foundations, or churches, nor does it award grants to organizations to be used as pass-through funds for another organization that is not a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization or a governmental entity. The Foundation does not ordinarily support:
- Church programs that do not have a separate 501(c)(3) designation
- Conferences and travel
- Capital or annual fundraising campaigns
- Administrative overhead
- Private schools
- Research studies
- Units of the federal government
- Political activities
- Publication of newsletters, magazines, books, and the production of videos
- Endowment funds
- Affiliates of national organizations
Grant Application Process
Organizations seeking financial assistance must apply through The Brown Family Foundation’s grant application process. The funding process consists of two steps to complete for funding consideration.
Step 1: Letter of Interest
The Letter of Interest is the first step of the grant funding process. It is intended to provide The Brown Family Foundation with enough preliminary information to assess whether the request can be considered without requiring as much depth or detail as the complete grant application. Letters of Interest (LOI) must be received by the designated deadline (see current Grant Cycle Deadlines). Please see the below form to submit a LOI.
Step 2: Grant Application
If the Letter of Interest indicates that the funding request is consistent with the Foundation’s interests and priorities, The Brown Family Foundation will invite the organization to submit a complete grant application and will provide a link to the Grant Application. The applicant must submit the completed Grant Application and any required attachments to The Brown Family Foundation by the designated grant cycle deadline. Once the application is deemed complete, The Brown Family Foundation will begin its formal review process.
Grant Cycles and Deadlines
Grants will generally be awarded one time per year. Letters of Interest and Grant Applications must be submitted by close of business on the deadline for submission.
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Grant Cycle Opens for LOI June 3, 2024 |
Letter of Interest Deadline August 2, 2024 |
Grant Application Deadline** November 8, 2024 |
Grant Awards Announced December 6, 2024 |
**The grant application deadline pertains only to those organizations invited to apply.