The Owsley Brown III Philanthropic Foundation concentrates its giving locally in Louisville and southern Kentucky, prioritizing urban park stewardship and arts/design higher education. Its largest, repeated commitments go to the Parks Alliance of Louisville for restricted support and a single major grant to the Kentucky College of Art & Design, signaling a focus on place-based civic amenities and cultural institutions. The foundation prefers large, targeted gifts rather than many small grants.
Highly concentrated funding: very few, large grants with repeat support to a single local parks organization and one major grant to an arts college; geographically focused on Louisville/Kentucky and favoring restricted/targeted awards over broad small grants.
The Owsley Brown III Philanthropic Foundation Inc has made a repeated pattern of large gifts to Louisville’s Parks Alliance and the Kentucky College of Art Design, pointing to a portfolio built around civic amenities and arts education rather than broad small-ticket grantmaking. Its recent grants show substantial support for place-based institutions in Louisville, with additional commitments to museums, orchestras, and colleges. The foundation’s work is not limited to one city, but Louisville recipients appear often, and several grants are structured as general, operating, restricted, or program support. The recent record also shows that the foundation uses stock contributions in some awards, alongside cash grants. The Kentucky College of Art Design received a $500,000 general-support grant in 2024, followed by another $200,336 general-support award in 2025 and a $100,000 general-support grant in 2025. Parks Alliance of Louisville received $333,453 in 2025 as restricted support tied to a stock contribution, after earlier awards of $333,333 in 2024 and $333,333 in 2023. These repeated grants suggest sustained backing for selected institutions over multiple years.
Urban parks and public-space stewardship are a central thread in the foundation’s giving. Parks Alliance of Louisville received $333,333 in 2024 for restricted support and another $333,333 in 2023 for program support, followed by $333,453 in 2025 as restricted support tied to a stock contribution. Arts and design education is another clear focus. Kentucky College of Art Design received $500,000 in 2024 for general support, then $200,336 in 2025 and $100,000 in 2025, both also marked general support. The foundation also backs cultural institutions and higher education. Louisville Orchestra received $150,000 in 2023 for operating support and $150,236 in 2025 as general support tied to a stock contribution. Speed Art Museum received $115,000 in 2024 as restricted support and $95,000 in 2023 as program support. Spalding University received $91,224 in 2023 for program support.
Typical grants cluster around a median of $11,000, with the 25th percentile at $5,000 and the 75th percentile at $25,000, even though the recent record also includes much larger directed awards. The foundation is a regular funder, not a donor-advised fund, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Recurring support is common: several recipients appear in multiple years, often with the same institution receiving operating, program, general, or restricted support across more than one grant year. Stock contributions also appear in the recent record, indicating that some gifts are made in appreciated assets rather than cash.
$2.7M
$15.5M
$1.5M
$2.8M
Most grants fall between $5K and $25K, with a median of $11K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$11K
75th Percentile
$25K
About 27% of grants go to recipients in CA.
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Owsley Brown Iii Philanthropic Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 338 | $9.1M | 99.1% |
| 2 | United Kingdom |
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Notable grantees: Parks Alliance of Louisville, Kentucky College of Art & Design
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in the United States, with 338 grants there and 3 in the UK. Louisville, Kentucky appears repeatedly among recipients, including multiple arts and civic institutions. Outside Kentucky, several grants go to Colorado organizations such as Pundarika Foundation in Crestone and Tsoknyi Humanitarian Foundation in Steamboat Springs. California recipients also appear, including University of Southern California in Los Angeles and Thacher School in Ojai.
Recent grants show support for urban park stewardship, arts and design education, museums, orchestras, and higher-education institutions. Examples include Louisville civic and cultural organizations, along with schools and foundations in Colorado and California.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years. The recent record shows repeated support for the Parks Alliance of Louisville, Kentucky College of Art Design, University of Virginia, Louisville Orchestra, Speed Art Museum, Thacher School, Tsoknyi Humanitarian Foundation, and University of Southern California.
The stated distribution centers on relatively small grants: $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $11,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also includes larger targeted awards, including several in the six-figure range.
Its recent grants include general support, operating support, program support, restricted support, and stock contributions. That mix suggests the foundation uses both flexible support and directed funding, depending on the recipient and purpose.
Most grants go to U.S. recipients, with 338 grants in the United States and 3 in the UK. Louisville, Kentucky is a frequent recipient location, while Colorado and California also appear in the recent grants list.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| 3 |
| $32K |
0.9% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PARKS ALLIANCE OF LOUISVILLE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $333,453 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT - STOCK CONTRIBUTION (SEE ATTACHED INFORMATION) |
| KENTUCKY COLLEGE OF ART DESIGN | LOUISVILLE, KY | $200,336 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA | BOONE, IA | $164,880 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT - STOCK CONTRIBUTION (SEE ATTACHED INFORMATION) |
| LOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA | LOUISVILLE, KY | $150,236 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT - STOCK CONTRIBUTION (SEE ATTACHED INFORMATION) |
| UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA | BOONE, IA | $138,659 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT - STOCK CONTRIBUTION (SEE ATTACHED INFORMATION) |
| SPEED ART MUSEUM | LOUISVILLE, KY | $115,763 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT - STOCK CONTRIBUTION (SEE ATTACHED INFORMATION) |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,601 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT - STOCK CONTRIBUTION (SEE ATTACHED INFORMATION) |
| THACHER SCHOOL | OJAI, CA | $100,209 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT - STOCK CONTRIBUTION (SEE ATTACHED INFORMATION) |
| KENTUCKY COLLEGE OF ART DESIGN | LOUISVILLE, KY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PUNDARIKA FOUNDATION | CRESTONE, CO | $100,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| SPECIAL OPERATIONS SERVICES | LOS ALTOS, CA | $70,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LOUISVILLE URBAN LEAGUE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $66,667 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| FILM COLLABORATIVE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $63,478 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| KENTUCKY COLLEGE OF ART DESIGN | LOUISVILLE, KY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MIND AND LIFE INSTITUTE | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MAIDEN VOYAGE PRODUCTIONS | HALF MOON BAY, CA | $40,500 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| UC DAVIS FOUNDATION | DAVIS, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| LOUISVILLE STORY PROGRAM | LOUISVILLE, KY | $40,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| MAIDEN VOYAGE PRODUCTIONS | HALF MOON BAY, CA | $30,900 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| PEMA CHODRON FOUNDATION | AURORA, CO | $30,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| SPECIAL OPERATIONS SERVICES | LOS ALTOS, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SPEED ART MUSEUM | LOUISVILLE, KY | $28,125 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| SUSTAINABLE FOOD ALLIANCE | ALLENTOWN, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FUND FOR THE ARTS | LOUISVILLE, KY | $25,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| OMEGA INSTITUTE FOR HOLISTIC STUDIES | RHINEBECK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMALGAMATED CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| CANYON CINEMA FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GRABHORN INSTITUTE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| MARIN ACADEMY | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION | MADISON, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| OMEGA INSTITUTE FOR HOLISTIC STUDIES | RHINEBECK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CENTER FOR DISCOVERY | HARRIS, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INWARD BOUND MINDFULNESS EDUCATION | ATTLEBORO, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| KENTUCKY COLLEGE OF ART DESIGN | LOUISVILLE, KY | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $18,708 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| KENTUCKY AUTHOR FORUM | LOUISVILLE, KY | $16,667 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ROXIE THEATRE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $15,361 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| MIDDLE WAY INITIATIVE | WHEELING, WV | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DIGITAL HARBOR FOUNDATION | BALTIMORE, MD | $15,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| HUMAN NEEDS PROJECT | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TEN STRANDS | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LOTUS TREASURE | BOULDER, CO | $15,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| HOPEWELL FUND | BALTIMORE, MD | $15,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL NETWORK OF ABORTION FUNDS | BEAVERTON, OR | $13,427 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FILM COLLABORATIVE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $11,522 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| LOTUS TREASURE | BOULDER, CO | $11,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| DILGO KHYZENTSE FELLOWSHIP - SHECHEN | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| KENTUCKY COALITION | LONDON, KY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF CALIFORNIA | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| MUSIC HEALS INTERNATIONAL | MILL VALLEY, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
RESTRICTED SUPPORT - STOCK CONTRIBUTION (SEE ATTACHED INFORMATION)
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
$164,880RESTRICTED SUPPORT - STOCK CONTRIBUTION (SEE ATTACHED INFORMATION)
GENERAL SUPPORT - STOCK CONTRIBUTION (SEE ATTACHED INFORMATION)
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
$138,659RESTRICTED SUPPORT - STOCK CONTRIBUTION (SEE ATTACHED INFORMATION)
SPEED ART MUSEUM
$115,763RESTRICTED SUPPORT - STOCK CONTRIBUTION (SEE ATTACHED INFORMATION)
RESTRICTED SUPPORT - STOCK CONTRIBUTION (SEE ATTACHED INFORMATION)
RESTRICTED SUPPORT - STOCK CONTRIBUTION (SEE ATTACHED INFORMATION)
PUNDARIKA FOUNDATION
$100,000RESTRICTED SUPPORT
SPECIAL OPERATIONS SERVICES
$70,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MAIDEN VOYAGE PRODUCTIONS
$40,500RESTRICTED SUPPORT
LOUISVILLE STORY PROGRAM
$40,000RESTRICTED SUPPORT
MAIDEN VOYAGE PRODUCTIONS
$30,900RESTRICTED SUPPORT
PEMA CHODRON FOUNDATION
$30,000RESTRICTED SUPPORT
SPECIAL OPERATIONS SERVICES
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SPEED ART MUSEUM
$28,125RESTRICTED SUPPORT
SUSTAINABLE FOOD ALLIANCE
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CANYON CINEMA FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
KENTUCKY AUTHOR FORUM
$16,667GENERAL SUPPORT
ROXIE THEATRE
$15,361RESTRICTED SUPPORT
MIDDLE WAY INITIATIVE
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HUMAN NEEDS PROJECT
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LOTUS TREASURE
$15,000RESTRICTED SUPPORT
NATIONAL NETWORK OF ABORTION FUNDS
$13,427GENERAL SUPPORT
LOTUS TREASURE
$11,000RESTRICTED SUPPORT
DILGO KHYZENTSE FELLOWSHIP - SHECHEN
$10,000RESTRICTED SUPPORT
EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF CALIFORNIA
$10,000RESTRICTED SUPPORT
MUSIC HEALS INTERNATIONAL
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT