The Leonard J and Irene B Brown Foundation makes a small number of targeted, mid-sized gifts focused on health research and local K–12 education infrastructure. Recent giving shows a willingness to support national health nonprofits (medical research) alongside direct support for a local charter school's facilities needs, suggesting a mix of philanthropic interests in medical research and community education.
A $25,000 grant to the American Heart Association for medical research stands out as the foundation’s largest recent award and shows a clear willingness to back health research at a meaningful scale. Leonard J and Irene Brown Foundation Inc pairs that national health support with local education funding, including $10,000 to Discovery Charter School for facilities development in Porter and $5,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Laporte County for youth programming in Michigan City. The pattern suggests a funder that divides attention between medical causes and practical community needs rather than one narrow theme. The foundation’s recent grants also include support for Purdue University Northwest’s community forum work in Hammond and for Discovery School PAC’s educational programming in Porter, which places education and public-facing community engagement alongside health. In Michigan City, the foundation has directed gifts to organizations serving food access, family services, and emergency shelter, indicating a consistent local presence. Across the recent grant list, the awards are generally modest to mid-sized, but the largest gifts show that the foundation will make a few larger commitments when a program or institution fits its priorities.
Medical research is a visible part of the foundation’s giving. In 2025, it awarded $25,000 to the American Heart Association for medical research, the clearest example of its support for health-focused philanthropy. Education shows up in both facilities and program support. The foundation gave $10,000 to Discovery Charter School for facilities development in Porter, and it also supported Discovery School PAC with $5,000 for educational programming. At Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, it made multiple $5,000 and $3,500 grants tied to community forum programming, suggesting interest in campus-based public engagement. Local human services appear as well. Grants of $2,500 went to Trinity Community Food Pantry for food pantry work and to Citizens Concerned for the Homeless for emergency shelter, both in Michigan City. These gifts place basic-needs support alongside the foundation’s education and research interests.
Typical grants are small and clustered near the low thousands: the p25 is $950, the median is $1,000, and the p75 is $2,500. That distribution fits a foundation that makes many modest awards while occasionally stepping up for larger gifts such as the $25,000 medical research grant and $10,000 facilities award. The recent list also shows repeat giving to the same recipients across multiple years, including Purdue University Northwest, Chicago Public Media, and Pinefeatherville Id Ems, which points to ongoing relationships rather than one-time-only support. The foundation is a private family foundation structure, given its name and balance-sheet profile, and it funds individuals as well as organizations. No application process is described in the data.
$99K
$1.4M
$131K
$127K
Most grants fall between $950 and $3K, with a median of $1K.
25th Percentile
$950
Median
$1K
75th Percentile
$3K
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Concentrated, infrequent giving with a small number of mid-sized grants; supports both national organizations and local institutions rather than many small donations. No evidence of repeat multi-year commitments from the available data.
Notable grantees: American Heart Association, Discovery Charter School
Grantmaking is regional and heavily centered in Indiana. About 79% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Indiana locations such as Michigan City, Porter, Hammond, Valparaiso, Chesterton, and North Judson appear repeatedly in the recent list. Michigan City alone shows multiple awards across food support, shelter, youth programming, and community health. Outside Indiana, the foundation has also funded recipients in Chicago, Dallas, Boone, Warrendale, and Pine, Idaho. All recent grants in the provided data go to U.S. recipients.
The recent grants point to medical research, K–12 education infrastructure and programming, community forum work, food pantry support, emergency shelter, and youth programming. Examples include a $25,000 medical research grant, $10,000 for charter school facilities development, and smaller awards for food pantry and shelter services in Michigan City.
Yes. While 79% of grants go to recipients in Indiana, the recent list also includes awards to organizations in Illinois, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Idaho. Examples include Chicago Public Media in Chicago, North Dallas Young Life in Dallas, and Pinefeatherville Id Ems in Pine, Idaho.
The foundation’s recent grant sizes are usually modest: the 25th percentile is $950, the median is $1,000, and the 75th percentile is $2,500. Larger awards do appear, including $5,000, $10,000, and a $25,000 grant for medical research.
Yes. The recent grant list shows repeated support to several organizations over multiple years, including Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, Chicago Public Media in Chicago, Boys & Girls Club of Laporte County in Michigan City, and Pinefeatherville Id Ems in Pine, Idaho.
Recent grants in Michigan City include food pantry support for Salvation Army and Trinity Community Food Pantry, family services for Interfaith Community Pads, emergency shelter support for Citizens Concerned for the Homeless, youth programming for Boys & Girls Club of Laporte County, and community health services through Unity Foundation of Laporte County.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CITIZENS CONCERNEDHOMELESS | MICHIGNA CITY, IN | $10,000 | 2026 | EMERGENCY FOOD/HOUSING |
| ST STANISLAUS KOSTKA SCHOOL | MICHIGAN CITY, IN | $10,000 | 2026 | CURRICULUM MATERIAL |
| SALVATION ARMY OF MICHIGAN CITY | MICHIGAN CITY, IN | $10,000 | 2026 | FOOD PANTRY |
| SACRED HEART FOOD PANTRY | MICHIGAN CITY, IN | $6,500 | 2026 | COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY |
| DUNEBROOK | MICHIGAN CITY, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | FAMILY SERVICES |
| TRINITY COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY | MICHIGAN CITY, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | FOOD PANTRY |
| MARQUETTE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL | MICHIGAN CITY, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| PURDUE UNIVERSITY NORTHWEST | HAMMOND, IN | $3,500 | 2026 | COMMUNITY FORUM |
| PAC DISCOVERY CHARTER SCHOOL | PORTER, IN | $3,500 | 2026 | FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT |
| DUNES LEATHERNECKS DETACH 1056 | CHESTERTON, IN | $3,200 | 2026 | YOUTH PROGAMMING |
| HOOSIER VALLEY RAILROAD MUSEUM | NORTH JUSDON, IN | $3,000 | 2026 | HISTORIC PRESERVATION |
| PINEFEATHERVILLE ID EMS | PINE, ID | $2,500 | 2026 | EMERGENCY SERVICES |
| MEALS ON WHEELS LAPORTE COUNTY | MICHIGAN CITY, IN | $2,500 | 2026 | MEALS/ELDERLY |
| PSI IOTA XI | VALPARAISO, IN | $2,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIAWBEZ | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2026 | PUBLIC RADIO PROGRAMMING |
| IVY TECH FOUNDATION | VALPARAISO, IN | $2,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| UNITED WAY OF LAPORTE COUNTY | MICHIGAN CITY, IN | $2,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING |
| UNITY FOUNDATION OF LAPORTE COUNTY | MICHIGAN CITY, IN | $2,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES |
| WTTW | CHICAGO, IL | $2,000 | 2026 | PUBLIC RADIO PROGRAMMING |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $2,000 | 2026 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB - GREATER NW IN | PORTAGE, IN | $1,500 | 2026 | YOUTH PROGRAMMING |
| NATIONAL IMMIGRANT JUSTICE CENTER | GOSHEN, IN | $1,500 | 2026 | IMMIGRANT ADVOCACY |
| COOLSPRING TWP VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT | MICHIGAN CITY, IN | $1,000 | 2026 | SUPPLIES |
| MATTHEW MERCCHIA FOUNDATION | VALPARAISO, IN | $1,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| STRIDES AGAINST SUICIDE & OVERDOSE | MICHIGAN CITY, IN | $1,000 | 2026 | MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY |
| MICHIGAN CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY | MICHIGAN CITY, IN | $1,000 | 2026 | LITERACY PROGRAMMING |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF LAPORTE COUNTY | MICHIGAN CITY, IN | $1,000 | 2026 | YOUTH PROGRAMMING |
| LIBERTY TWP VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT | CHESTERTON, IN | $1,000 | 2026 | SUPPLIES |
| ARIZONA THEATRE COMPANY | TUCSON, AZ | $1,000 | 2026 | THEATRE PROGRAMMING |
| PINES FIRE DEPARTMENT | MICHIGAN CITY, IN | $1,000 | 2026 | SUPPLIES |
| MEMORY FINDERS (ALZHEIMERS) | MERCER, PA | $1,000 | 2026 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| THE DEPOT MUSEUM & GALLERY | BEVERLY SHORES, IN | $1,000 | 2026 | ART EDUCATION |
| BEVERLY SHORES VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT | BEVERLY SHORES, IN | $1,000 | 2026 | SUPPLIES |
| ST STANISLAUS KOSTKA CHURCH | MICHIGAN CITY, IN | $500 | 2026 | MEMORIAL |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION | BOONE, IA | $25,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF LAPORTE COUNTY | MICHIGAN CITY, IN | $5,000 | 2025 | YOUTH PROGRAMMING |
| DISCOVERY SCHOOL PAC | PORTER, IN | $5,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING |
| PURDUE UNIVERSITY NORTHWEST | HAMMOND, IN | $5,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY FORUM |
| DUNES LEATHERNECKS DETACHMENT 1056 | CHESTERTON, IN | $4,500 | 2025 | YOUTH PROGRAMMING |
| VALPARAISO KIWANIS FOUNDATION | VALPARAISO, IN | $4,000 | 2025 | SPECIAL ED. PROGRAMMING |
| HOOSIER VALLEY RAILROAD MUSEUM | NORTH JUDSON, IN | $3,000 | 2025 | HISTORICAL PRESERVATION |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIAWBEZ | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2025 | PUBLIC RADIO PROGRAMMING |
| PSI IOTA XI | VALPARAISO, IN | $2,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| PINEFEATHERVILLE ID EMS | PINE, ID | $2,500 | 2025 | EMERGENCY SERVICES |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $2,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| DUNEBROOK | MICHIGAN CITY, IN | $2,000 | 2025 | FAMILY SERVICES |
| WTTW | CHICAGO, IL | $2,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC TV/MEDIA |
| UNITED WAY OF LAPORTE COUNTY | MICHIGAN CITY, IN | $2,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING |
| STEPPING STONE SHELTER | MICHIGAN CITY, IN | $1,500 | 2025 | WOMEN/FAMILY SHELTER |
| CITIZENS CONCERNED FOR THE HOMELESS | MICHIGAN CITY, IN | $1,500 | 2025 | EMERGENCY HOUSING |
ST STANISLAUS KOSTKA SCHOOL
$10,000CURRICULUM MATERIAL
SALVATION ARMY OF MICHIGAN CITY
$10,000FOOD PANTRY
SACRED HEART FOOD PANTRY
$6,500COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY
DUNEBROOK
$5,000FAMILY SERVICES
TRINITY COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY
$5,000FOOD PANTRY
MARQUETTE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
$5,000SCHOLARSHIPS
PURDUE UNIVERSITY NORTHWEST
$3,500COMMUNITY FORUM
PAC DISCOVERY CHARTER SCHOOL
$3,500FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT
DUNES LEATHERNECKS DETACH 1056
$3,200YOUTH PROGAMMING
HOOSIER VALLEY RAILROAD MUSEUM
$3,000HISTORIC PRESERVATION
PINEFEATHERVILLE ID EMS
$2,500EMERGENCY SERVICES
MEALS ON WHEELS LAPORTE COUNTY
$2,500MEALS/ELDERLY
PSI IOTA XI
$2,500SCHOLARSHIPS
UNITY FOUNDATION OF LAPORTE COUNTY
$2,000COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES
WTTW
$2,000PUBLIC RADIO PROGRAMMING
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB - GREATER NW IN
$1,500YOUTH PROGRAMMING
NATIONAL IMMIGRANT JUSTICE CENTER
$1,500IMMIGRANT ADVOCACY
COOLSPRING TWP VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT
$1,000SUPPLIES
MATTHEW MERCCHIA FOUNDATION
$1,000SCHOLARSHIPS
STRIDES AGAINST SUICIDE & OVERDOSE
$1,000MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY
MICHIGAN CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY
$1,000LITERACY PROGRAMMING
LIBERTY TWP VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT
$1,000SUPPLIES
PINES FIRE DEPARTMENT
$1,000SUPPLIES
MEMORY FINDERS (ALZHEIMERS)
$1,000MEDICAL RESEARCH
THE DEPOT MUSEUM & GALLERY
$1,000ART EDUCATION
BEVERLY SHORES VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT
$1,000SUPPLIES
ST STANISLAUS KOSTKA CHURCH
$500MEMORIAL
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
$25,000MEDICAL RESEARCH
DISCOVERY SCHOOL PAC
$5,000EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
PURDUE UNIVERSITY NORTHWEST
$5,000COMMUNITY FORUM
DUNES LEATHERNECKS DETACHMENT 1056
$4,500YOUTH PROGRAMMING
VALPARAISO KIWANIS FOUNDATION
$4,000SPECIAL ED. PROGRAMMING
HOOSIER VALLEY RAILROAD MUSEUM
$3,000HISTORICAL PRESERVATION
PSI IOTA XI
$2,500SCHOLARSHIPS
PINEFEATHERVILLE ID EMS
$2,500EMERGENCY SERVICES
ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION
$2,000MEDICAL RESEARCH
DUNEBROOK
$2,000FAMILY SERVICES
WTTW
$2,000PUBLIC TV/MEDIA
STEPPING STONE SHELTER
$1,500WOMEN/FAMILY SHELTER