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    5. Brown Foundation
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    Brown Foundation

    ActivePhilanthropy & VoluntarismFunds Individuals
    Houston, TXWebsite7135236867

    About Brown Foundation

    The Brown Foundation is a Houston-centered funder that concentrates on major place-based investments to strengthen Greater Houston’s public realm, cultural institutions, K–12 education, and health/science research. Their grants frequently support capital campaigns, park and trail resiliency projects, museum and performing arts operating and expansion needs, and both independent and charter school initiatives, with a measurable focus on long-term community infrastructure and institutional stability.

    Focus Areas

    Urban parks, bayou restoration, and regional greenway/resilience projects in Houston (e.g., Houston Parks Board, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Memorial Park)Major cultural institution support and capital projects in Houston (museums, symphony, ballet, opera — e.g., Museum of Fine Arts, Menil, Houston Symphony)K–12 education support across private independent schools and charter networks in Houston (e.g., St. John’s School, YES Prep)Health and biomedical research and health systems strengthening in Houston (e.g., Baylor College of Medicine, MD Anderson, Harris Health Strategic Fund)Children and family services / inclusion programming (e.g., DePelchin Children’s Center, Thrive with Autism, Camp For All)

    About Brown Foundation

    The Brown Foundation Inc’s largest recent grant went to Houston Parks Board for an interconnected network of parks, trails, and greenspace designed to make Houston more resilient and equitable. That emphasis on place-based civic infrastructure runs through the foundation’s giving: bayou restoration, park and greenway projects, museum and performing arts capital needs, and school and health-system investments in Houston. The foundation backs large, multi-year commitments as well as targeted operating and campaign support, often pairing a capital project with a related planning or program component. Houston institutions recur throughout the recent grants list. Buffalo Bayou Partnership received support for the Buffalo Bayou East 10-Year Plan, while Memorial Park Conservancy, Hermann Park Conservancy, and Precinct4Forward were all funded for park and greenway work. In education, St. John’s School, YES Prep Public Schools, Harmony Public Schools, and the Houston Charter Seed Fund each appear in the recent record. The pattern is similarly visible in health and biomedical research, where Baylor College of Medicine, Harris Health Strategic Fund, and The University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center are all funded for major institutional work. The Brown Foundation Inc also supports cultural institutions such as the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Jones Hall, and the Orange Show Foundation.

    What Brown Foundation Funds

    In urban parks and resilience work, the foundation gave $20,748,807 to Houston Parks Board for an interconnected network of parks, trails, and greenspace, and $14,594,744 to Buffalo Bayou Partnership for the Buffalo Bayou East 10-Year Plan. It also funded Memorial Park Conservancy and Hermann Park Conservancy for long-range park planning and capital work. Education support includes $8,508,842 to St. John’s School for a new Lower School and $7,000,000 to YES Prep Public Schools for The Power of YES. The Brown Foundation Inc also made a $5,000,000 grant to Greater Houston Community Foundation for the Houston Charter Seed Fund and supported Harmony Public Schools for its Houston Capital Campaign Phase II. In health and biomedical research, the foundation gave $13,384,145 and $11,615,855 to Baylor College of Medicine for Imagining Tomorrow’s Medicine Today, and $10,000,000 to Harris Health Strategic Fund for Investing in a Healthier Harris County. For arts and culture, it backed Houston Museum of Natural Science, Jones Hall, and Orange Show Foundation with campaign and exhibition-related support.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $84.3M

    Total Assets

    $1.1B

    Total Revenue

    $145.9M

    Total Expenses

    $92.7M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $5K and $40K, with a median of $15K.

    25th Percentile

    $5K

    Median

    $15K

    75th Percentile

    $40K

    Geographic Reach

    Regional34 states funded

    About 78% of grants go to recipients in TX.

    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

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    © 2026 Kindora. All rights reserved.

    Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSystem Status
    EIN (Tax ID): 74-6036466Latest Form 990: 2025Total assets: $1.1B3 filings on recordFind their full 990 filing →
    See If You're a Fit — FreeFree account · instant fit score · similar funders

    Who They Fund

    Houston / Harris County and surrounding regional communitiesK–12 students (including disadvantaged students and those with learning differences)Arts institutions and artistsPatients, nurses and healthcare providers (oncology, mental health)Low‑income / affordable housing residentsCoastal and watershed communities reliant on bayou/shoreline ecosystems

    Giving Approach

    Concentrated, high‑value grantmaking focused on repeat grantees and multi‑year or capital projects; a mix of large capital gifts and significant operating support, heavily geographically concentrated in Houston with occasional directed gifts outside Texas.

    Funding Style

    capital campaign / capital projectsgeneral operating supportproject‑specific / restricted grantsmatching grants & seed fundingstrategic planning & capacity building

    Notable grantees: Houston Parks Board, Baylor College of Medicine, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, St. John's School, YES Prep Public Schools

    Topics

    urban parks, trails and greenspace for climate resilience and equityarts, museums and cultural institution capital & operating supportK–12 education expansion, charter school development and scholarships (including learning differences)healthcare infrastructure, nursing/oncology support and mental health programscoastal, bayou and living shoreline restoration / environmental conservationaffordable housing development and housing pipeline

    How Brown Foundation Gives

    Typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $15,000 at the median, and $40,000 at the 75th percentile, even though the recent list also includes major capital gifts in the millions. The Brown Foundation Inc shows repeat support across years and recipients, with Houston Parks Board, Baylor College of Medicine, St. John’s School, and National Philanthropic Trust each appearing more than once in the recent record. It is a regular funder rather than a DAF, and it funds individuals. The available data do not indicate an unsolicited application process.

    Where Brown Foundation Makes Grants

    Giving is overwhelmingly Houston-centered: 78% of grants go to recipients in Texas, and the recent grants list shows all recipient countries in the United States. Houston, TX appears repeatedly across parks, education, health, and arts grantees, with additional Texas recipients including Bellaire, Magnolia, and San Antonio. Outside Texas, the recent record includes National Philanthropic Trust in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, but the broader pattern remains regional and heavily concentrated in Houston.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Brown Foundation

    What kinds of projects does The Brown Foundation Inc support most often?

    The recent record shows support for Houston parks and bayou projects, major cultural institutions, K–12 schools and charter networks, and health and biomedical research. Examples include park greenways, museum capital campaigns, school expansion, and health-system or research initiatives in Houston.

    Does The Brown Foundation Inc support recurring grantees?

    Yes. Several organizations appear more than once in the recent grants list, including Houston Parks Board, Baylor College of Medicine, St. John’s School, and National Philanthropic Trust. That suggests the foundation often makes repeat grants rather than only one-time awards.

    What is a typical grant size from The Brown Foundation Inc?

    The typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $15,000 at the median, and $40,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also includes much larger capital and campaign grants in the millions, so the foundation gives across a wide range.

    Where does The Brown Foundation Inc give most often?

    Texas is the top state by grant count, and 78% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. The recent grants list is concentrated in Houston and other Texas cities, with the only non-Texas recipient shown as National Philanthropic Trust in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from Brown Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open nowCloses in 18 days (Jul 31, 2026)Award: $15K – $20.7M

    General Grantmaking (Pre-Application + Full Proposal Cycles)

    EducationArts & CultureCivic Assets+2 more

    Who can apply: Applicant must be a tax-exempt charitable organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The foundation does not support 509(a)(3) organizations, Type III, or Private Operating Foundations. Most grantees are in the Greater Houston area and have a proven track record; organizations typically serve at least 1,000 beneficiaries annually or are scaling to that level.

    Deadline: Pre-application cycles: May 1–31, 2026; July 1–31, 2026; Oct 1–31, 2026; Jan 1–31, 2027.

    View & apply

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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    National Philanthropic TrustJenkintown, PA$11,000,0002025Study Group and Matching Grant Programs
    Harris Health Strategic FundBellaire, TX$10,000,0002025Investing in a Healthier Harris County
    Precinct4ForwardHouston, TX$7,500,0002025Burnett Bayland Park Improvements
    YES Prep Public SchoolsHouston, TX$7,000,0002025The Power of YES
    Hermann Park ConservancyHouston, TX$6,000,000202510-year plan (Phase I)
    Greater Houston Community FoundationHouston, TX$5,000,0002025Houston Charter Seed Fund
    Houston Museum of Natural ScienceHouston, TX$3,000,0002025Brown Hall of Entomology ($2,850,000) and Youth Education Support ($150,000)
    Coalition for the Homeless of HoustonHarris CountyHouston, TX$1,575,0002025Achieving Equilibrium ($1,500,000) and Operating Support ($75,000)
    Thrive With Autism FoundationMagnolia, TX$1,550,0002025Campaign of Hope
    Houston Parks BoardHouston, TX$1,500,0002025Pasadena Vince Bayou Greenway Implementation
    DePelchin Children's CenterHouston, TX$1,500,0002025Community Based Care
    Good Reason HoustonHouston, TX$1,000,0002025HISD Fund
    Emancipation Park ConservancyHouston, TX$1,000,0002025Emancipation Park Capital Campaign
    Museum of Fine Arts HoustonHouston, TX$929,5002025MFAH Operating Support ($900,000) and Ruth K Shartle Lecture Series ($29,500)
    Children's Museum IncHouston, TX$875,0002025Strengthening Our Core: 0-PreK Exhibit, Programs, and Partnerships; Operating Support
    Houston Grand Opera Association IncHouston, TX$850,0002025Operating Support
    Houston Ballet FoundationHouston, TX$850,0002025Operating Support
    Houston Symphony SocietyHouston, TX$850,0002025Operating Support
    The Westview School IncHouston, TX$800,0002025Capital Campaign ($750,000) and Operating Support ($50,000)
    Menil Foundation IncHouston, TX$800,0002025Operating Support
    Georgia O'Keeffe MuseumSanta Fe, NM$750,0002025The New O'Keeffe
    Annunciation Orthodox SchoolHouston, TX$750,0002025Light the Way Capital Campaign
    Contemporary Arts Museum HoustonHouston, TX$750,0002025Rebirth in Action: Phase 2
    Teach For America HoustonHouston, TX$650,0002025Operating Support
    University of HoustonHouston, TX$500,0002025Wilhelmina's Grove
    Armand Bayou Nature Center IncHouston, TX$500,0002025Middle Armand Bayou Protection Project (contingent)
    Houston Classical IncHouston, TX$500,0002025The Next Chapter: A Campaign for Houston Classical's Future
    Alley TheatreHouston, TX$500,0002025Operating Support
    San Antonio Museum of ArtSan Antonio, TX$500,0002025Operating Support
    DePelchin Children's CenterHouston, TX$450,0002025T3C Network Development
    UT MD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, TX$415,0002025Renewal and Expansion of The Brown Foundation Award for Excellence in Oncology Nursing
    Communities In Schools of Houston IncHouston, TX$400,0002025Operating Support ($300K) and Mental Health programs ($100K)
    New Hope Housing IncHouston, TX$350,0002025New Hope Housing Ave C ($250,000) and 2024 Operations ($100,000)
    The Imani SchoolHouston, TX$350,0002025The Imani School Capital Expansion
    Friends of Pumpkin ParkHouston, TX$250,0002025Opening the Door to Childrens Dreams
    Contemporary Arts Museum HoustonHouston, TX$250,0002025Operating Support
    EMERGE FellowshipHouston, TX$250,0002025Operating Support
    Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute for TexasDallas, TX$250,0002025Trauma and Grief Center
    Sound Off IncSan Antonio, TX$250,0002025Catalyst Campaign
    The Santa Fe OperaSanta Fe, TX$250,0002025Apprentice Program for Theater Technicians
    FotoFest IncHouston, TX$250,0002025FotoFest Biennial 2026: Four Decades (working title)
    BakerRipleyHouston, TX$250,0002025BakerRipley Community Centers
    Theatre Under The StarsHouston, TX$225,0002025Operating Support
    Houston Freedmen's Town ConservancyHouston, TX$200,0002025Operating Support
    Step Charter SchoolHouston, TX$200,0002025West Airport Campus School Expansion
    Institute for Rehabilitation & Research FoundationHouston, TX$200,0002025Mission Connect
    Da Camera Society of TexasHouston, TX$150,0002025Operating Support
    Collaborative for ChildrenHouston, TX$150,0002025Operating Support
    iEducate USABellaire, TX$150,0002025Operating Support
    Cystic Fibrosis FoundationHouston, TX$150,0002025State of the Art Cystic Fibrosis Care and Clinical Research in Texas

    National Philanthropic Trust

    $11,000,000
    Jenkintown, PA2025

    Study Group and Matching Grant Programs

    Harris Health Strategic Fund

    $10,000,000
    Bellaire, TX2025

    Investing in a Healthier Harris County

    Precinct4Forward

    $7,500,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Burnett Bayland Park Improvements

    YES Prep Public Schools

    $7,000,000
    Houston, TX2025

    The Power of YES

    Hermann Park Conservancy

    $6,000,000
    Houston, TX2025

    10-year plan (Phase I)

    Greater Houston Community Foundation

    $5,000,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Houston Charter Seed Fund

    Houston Museum of Natural Science

    $3,000,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Brown Hall of Entomology ($2,850,000) and Youth Education Support ($150,000)

    Coalition for the Homeless of HoustonHarris County

    $1,575,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Achieving Equilibrium ($1,500,000) and Operating Support ($75,000)

    Thrive With Autism Foundation

    $1,550,000
    Magnolia, TX2025

    Campaign of Hope

    Houston Parks Board

    $1,500,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Pasadena Vince Bayou Greenway Implementation

    DePelchin Children's Center

    $1,500,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Community Based Care

    Good Reason Houston

    $1,000,000
    Houston, TX2025

    HISD Fund

    Emancipation Park Conservancy

    $1,000,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Emancipation Park Capital Campaign

    Museum of Fine Arts Houston

    $929,500
    Houston, TX2025

    MFAH Operating Support ($900,000) and Ruth K Shartle Lecture Series ($29,500)

    Children's Museum Inc

    $875,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Strengthening Our Core: 0-PreK Exhibit, Programs, and Partnerships; Operating Support

    Houston Grand Opera Association Inc

    $850,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Operating Support

    Houston Ballet Foundation

    $850,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Operating Support

    Houston Symphony Society

    $850,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Operating Support

    The Westview School Inc

    $800,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Capital Campaign ($750,000) and Operating Support ($50,000)

    Menil Foundation Inc

    $800,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Operating Support

    Georgia O'Keeffe Museum

    $750,000
    Santa Fe, NM2025

    The New O'Keeffe

    Annunciation Orthodox School

    $750,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Light the Way Capital Campaign

    Contemporary Arts Museum Houston

    $750,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Rebirth in Action: Phase 2

    Teach For America Houston

    $650,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Operating Support

    University of Houston

    $500,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Wilhelmina's Grove

    Armand Bayou Nature Center Inc

    $500,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Middle Armand Bayou Protection Project (contingent)

    Houston Classical Inc

    $500,000
    Houston, TX2025

    The Next Chapter: A Campaign for Houston Classical's Future

    Alley Theatre

    $500,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Operating Support

    San Antonio Museum of Art

    $500,000
    San Antonio, TX2025

    Operating Support

    DePelchin Children's Center

    $450,000
    Houston, TX2025

    T3C Network Development

    UT MD Anderson Cancer Center

    $415,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Renewal and Expansion of The Brown Foundation Award for Excellence in Oncology Nursing

    Communities In Schools of Houston Inc

    $400,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Operating Support ($300K) and Mental Health programs ($100K)

    New Hope Housing Inc

    $350,000
    Houston, TX2025

    New Hope Housing Ave C ($250,000) and 2024 Operations ($100,000)

    The Imani School

    $350,000
    Houston, TX2025

    The Imani School Capital Expansion

    Friends of Pumpkin Park

    $250,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Opening the Door to Childrens Dreams

    Contemporary Arts Museum Houston

    $250,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Operating Support

    EMERGE Fellowship

    $250,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Operating Support

    Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute for Texas

    $250,000
    Dallas, TX2025

    Trauma and Grief Center

    Sound Off Inc

    $250,000
    San Antonio, TX2025

    Catalyst Campaign

    The Santa Fe Opera

    $250,000
    Santa Fe, TX2025

    Apprentice Program for Theater Technicians

    FotoFest Inc

    $250,000
    Houston, TX2025

    FotoFest Biennial 2026: Four Decades (working title)

    BakerRipley

    $250,000
    Houston, TX2025

    BakerRipley Community Centers

    Theatre Under The Stars

    $225,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Operating Support

    Houston Freedmen's Town Conservancy

    $200,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Operating Support

    Step Charter School

    $200,000
    Houston, TX2025

    West Airport Campus School Expansion

    Institute for Rehabilitation & Research Foundation

    $200,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Mission Connect

    Da Camera Society of Texas

    $150,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Operating Support

    Collaborative for Children

    $150,000
    Houston, TX2025

    Operating Support

    iEducate USA

    $150,000
    Bellaire, TX2025

    Operating Support

    Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

    $150,000
    Houston, TX2025

    State of the Art Cystic Fibrosis Care and Clinical Research in Texas