The Brown Foundation Inc
Annual Giving
$84.3M-29% YoY
Grants
222
Median Grant
$50K
Organizations Funded
513
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Foundation Overview
Mission
The mission of The Brown Foundation is to build, sustain, and enhance organizations that make Houston a stronger, more vibrant community. The Foundation is dedicated to strengthening educational, cultural, and civic institutions through strategic philanthropic investments.
Focus Areas
Grant Types
Funded Initiatives
Education, Arts & Culture, Human Services, Healthcare, Civic Assets programs across Houston area; more than $2 billion distributed since 1951
How to Apply
Submit via online portal only. One request per organization per year (July-June). Requests of $1M+ exclusively considered in Cycle 4 with January deadline.
Does Not Fund
Individuals; scholarship funds; endowments; debt retirement; fundraising events; political activities; religious purposes; outside greater Houston area; 509(a)(3) organizations
Based on publicly available information from the foundation's 990 filings and website.
Giving History
$84.3M
Grants
222
Median
$50K
States
5
$117.9M
Grants
836
Median
$15K
States
31
$84.9M
Grants
883
Median
$15K
States
31
Grant Size Distribution
$50K
Typical Grant (Median)
$20K
Smallest
$40K
25th Pctile
$125K
75th Pctile
$11.0M
Largest
Excludes grants ≤ $5K. Half fall between $40K and $125K.
Largest Recent Grants
$11.0M
2024
National Philanthropic Trust
PA · Study Group and Matching Grant Programs
$10.0M
2024
Harris Health Strategic Fund
TX · Investing in a Healthier Harris County
$7.5M
2024
Precinct4Forward
TX · Burnett Bayland Park Improvements
$7.0M
2024
YES Prep Public Schools
TX · The Power of YES
$6.0M
2024
Hermann Park Conservancy
TX · 10-year plan (Phase I)
Geographic Focus
Top states by total grant dollars. Based on IRS filing data.
Financial Overview
Grants paid shown as percentage of total assets
Data sourced from IRS 990 and 990-PF filings and publicly available foundation websites. Grant data, financial figures, and organizational details reflect historical filings and may not represent current operations or funding priorities. Verify directly with the foundation before applying. See an issue? Let us know.