The W L Lyons Brown Jr Charitable Foundation concentrates on large-scale support for arts and cultural institutions, with supplemental giving to higher education and land conservation. Grants are few but substantial and often repeated to flagship cultural organizations, suggesting a preference for major capital or general support gifts to well‑established institutions. While based in Louisville, the foundation funds national institutions (notably New York museums and a prominent sculpture park) and selective education and conservation projects.
Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small number of established institutions; multiple repeat grants to the same major cultural beneficiaries rather than many small donations.
W L LYONS BROWN JR CHARITABLE FOUNDATION is based in Louisville, KY, and reported $14,543,994 in annual grants. Its recent grantmaking is concentrated in arts and cultural institutions, with additional support for higher education and land conservation. The foundation’s larger gifts are often directed to established organizations and are frequently repeated across multiple years. Recent grants include $1,466,836 to METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART (NEW YORK, NY) in 2025, $1,208,735 to METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART (NEW YORK, NY) in 2024, and $831,462 to METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART (NEW YORK, NY) in 2023. Other sizable grants include $500,000 to STORM KING ART CENTER (NEW WINDSOR, NY) in 2025, $600,000 to UVA THE COLLEGE FOUNDATION (CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA) in 2023, and $512,000 to NATURE CONSERVANCY IN COLORADO (COLORADO SPRINGS, CO) in 2023. The foundation also gave $429,118 to FRICK COLLECTION (NEW YORK, NY) in 2023 and $400,000 to SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE (SWEET BRIAR, VA) in 2023. Its recent activity shows national grantmaking, with a strong concentration in arts, museum support, and related institutional funding.
Recent grantmaking spans general exempt purpose support for museums, arts organizations, higher education, and conservation-related institutions. Notable grants include $1,466,836 to METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART (NEW YORK, NY), $500,000 to STORM KING ART CENTER (NEW WINDSOR, NY), and $512,000 to NATURE CONSERVANCY IN COLORADO (COLORADO SPRINGS, CO). Education grants include $600,000 to UVA THE COLLEGE FOUNDATION (CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA), $400,000 to SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE (SWEET BRIAR, VA), and $277,333 to UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA (ATHENS, GA). The foundation also supported FRICK COLLECTION (NEW YORK, NY) and AMAZON BIODIVERSITY CENTER (WASHINGTON, DC).
Typical grant size is $3,000 at the 25th percentile, $13,667 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile, though recent grants show much larger awards to selected institutions. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Its grants are made on a national basis, with repeated support to a limited set of recipients and broad discretionary general exempt purpose funding.
$4.8M
$35.7M
$4.1M
$5.1M
Most grants fall between $3K and $50K, with a median of $14K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$14K
75th Percentile
$50K
About 6% of grants go to recipients in NY.
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for W L Lyons Brown Jr Charitable Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 228 | $14.5M | 96.6% |
| 2 | Austria |
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Notable grantees: Metropolitan Museum of Art, Storm King Art Center, Frick Collection, UVA The College Foundation, The Nature Conservancy in Colorado
W L LYONS BROWN JR CHARITABLE FOUNDATION gives nationally, with 97.8% of recipients in the United States and 2.1% in Australia. By grant count, Virginia is the state where it gives most often. Other frequently funded states in the recent grants list include New York, Wyoming, Kentucky, and Washington, DC as a recipient location.
The provided data does not state an application process or whether W L LYONS BROWN JR CHARITABLE FOUNDATION accepts unsolicited applications. The available record only shows recent grantmaking and the types of organizations funded.
Recent grants show support for major art museums, sculpture parks, higher education institutions, and land conservation-related organizations. Examples include METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART (NEW YORK, NY), STORM KING ART CENTER (NEW WINDSOR, NY), UVA THE COLLEGE FOUNDATION (CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA), and NATURE CONSERVANCY IN COLORADO (COLORADO SPRINGS, CO).
The typical grant size is $3,000 at the 25th percentile, $13,667 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent individual grants were much larger in some cases, including $1,466,836 to METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART (NEW YORK, NY) and $500,000 to STORM KING ART CENTER (NEW WINDSOR, NY).
The foundation gives nationally. In the recent grants data, recipients were primarily in the United States, with 97.8% of grants going to US recipients and 2.1% to Australian recipients. Virginia is the state where it gives most often, while the foundation is headquartered in Louisville, KY.
Recent grantees include METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART (NEW YORK, NY), STORM KING ART CENTER (NEW WINDSOR, NY), FRICK COLLECTION (NEW YORK, NY), UVA THE COLLEGE FOUNDATION (CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA), SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE (SWEET BRIAR, VA), NATURE CONSERVANCY IN COLORADO (COLORADO SPRINGS, CO), and UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA (ATHENS, GA).
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| 8 |
| $32K |
3.4% |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART | NEW YORK, NY | $1,466,836 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| STORM KING ART CENTER | NEW WINDSOR, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA | ATHENS, GA | $277,333 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| EARTH SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | PHOENIX, AZ | $208,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| TETON COUNTY SEARCH AND RESCUE FOUNDATION | JACKSON, WY | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| SCHWARZMAN ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING | CODY, WY | $170,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| BENCHETLER FASANI FD | MAMMOTH LAKES, CA | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION | MOOSE, WY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CARY INSTITUTE OF ECOSYSTEM STUDIES | MILLBROOK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| FRICK COLLECTION | NEW YORK, NY | $98,400 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| WOODWELL CLIMATE RESEARCH CENTER | FALMOUTH, MA | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| NORTON MUSEUM OF ART INC | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| NEW ART PUBLICATIONS INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $70,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| UVA FUND | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $61,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| UTAH FILM CENTER | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| 564 PARK AVENUE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| COOMBS OUTDOORS | JACKSON, WY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| RIVER FIELDS INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| FILSON HISTORICAL SOCIETY | LOUISVILLE, KY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| NATURE CONSERVANCY IN COLORADO | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF LOUISVILLE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| HARMONY FOUNDATION | ESTES PARK, CO | $37,500 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| SPEED ART MUSEUM | LOUISVILLE, KY | $34,166 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| 1 FOR THE PLANET | BURLINGTON, VT | $33,333 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| SLOW FOOD IN THE TETONS | VICTOR, ID | $30,225 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| TELLURIDE MOUNTAIN CLUB | TELLURIDE, CO | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| TELLURIDE FOUNDATION | TELLURIDE, CO | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| COASTAL CONSERVATION LEAGUE | CHARLESTON, SC | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| INTERATIONAL CRANE FOUNDATION | BARABOO, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| HOLE FOOD RESCUE | JACKSON, WY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| EO WILSON BIODIVERSITY | DURHAM, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| TELLURIDE SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | TELLURIDE, CO | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF VIRIGNIA | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| ST MARGARET'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH | SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| DZI FOUNDATION | RIDGWAY, CO | $22,500 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| FIRST RESPONDER PEACE AND REFUGE FOUNDATION | HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| WOODBERRY FOREST SCHOOL | WOODBERRY FOREST, VA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| SOUTHERN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| NESS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| TALES OF THE COCKTAIL FOUNDATION | METAIRIE, LA | $10,815 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE JEFFERSON COUCIL | BALTIMORE, MD | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| UVA DARDEN SCHOOL FOUNDATION | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| HENRY L FERGUSON MUSEUM | FISHERS ISLAND, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| LIGHTHOUSE WORKS INC | FISHERS ISLAND, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| SPREAD THE LOVE COMMISSION | JACKSON, WY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| MENTAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES | COPPEROPOLIS, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| FOCUSED ULTRASOUND FOUNDATION | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
$277,333GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
SCHWARZMAN ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER
$200,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
$170,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
BENCHETLER FASANI FD
$125,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY
$100,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
CARY INSTITUTE OF ECOSYSTEM STUDIES
$100,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
FRICK COLLECTION
$98,400GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
UVA FUND
$61,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
COOMBS OUTDOORS
$50,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
RIVER FIELDS INC
$50,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
NATURE CONSERVANCY IN COLORADO
$40,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
HARMONY FOUNDATION
$37,500GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
SPEED ART MUSEUM
$34,166GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
1 FOR THE PLANET
$33,333GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
SLOW FOOD IN THE TETONS
$30,225GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
COASTAL CONSERVATION LEAGUE
$30,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
INTERATIONAL CRANE FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
EO WILSON BIODIVERSITY
$25,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
TELLURIDE SCIENCE AND INNOVATION
$25,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
UNIVERSITY OF VIRIGNIA
$25,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
ST MARGARET'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$25,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
DZI FOUNDATION
$22,500GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
FIRST RESPONDER PEACE AND REFUGE FOUNDATION
$20,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
NESS
$20,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
TALES OF THE COCKTAIL FOUNDATION
$10,815GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
THE JEFFERSON COUCIL
$10,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
UVA DARDEN SCHOOL FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
MENTAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES
$10,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE