Grant Details

The Foundation shall, so far as possible, do things that will promote the well-being of the citizens of the City of Louisville and the citizens of the State of Kentucky in matters of business, education, health and general welfare and advancement.

In many of these areas, Kentucky has long been thought of as a backward state and projects which the Trustees should undertake are those which will correct this impression, so that the State of Kentucky and the City of Louisville will not only be recognized nationally, but in such a way as will create a desire in the citizens of Louisville and Kentucky to assist in creating a public image of Louisville and Kentucky of which all can be proud. The James Graham Brown Foundation cultivates progress and civic pride through philanthropic investments that promote the image of Kentucky and Louisville and the well-being of its citizens.

The Key Focus Areas of the JGB Foundation:

1. Quality of Life
   1. Core Organization Support (Human Services, Civic & Cultural)- Strengthen nonprofit organizations addressing key community needs.
      1. Campaigns outside the Louisville metropolitan area must show evidence of significant local community support before being considered by the foundation for funding.
      2. Priority is given to organizations and agency projects aligning with the Foundation's mission and vision, articulate a need for action, have multiple sources of support and a clear plan for sustainability.
2. Economic Development - Support efforts to improve and sustain quality neighborhoods and a thriving downtown, increase national and global competitiveness and support projects that differentiate the region through progress and innovation.
   1. Priority is given to projects large in scope that address an economic development priority for the City of Louisville and/or neighborhood revitalization, are collaborative and offer innovative long term solutions for the community.
   2. Smaller requests for planning, pre-development and feasibility studies will be considered.
   3. Primary geographical focus is the Metro Louisville area.
3. Education & Workforce
   1. Cradle to Career Pipeline- Support systemic education and workforce development initiatives from birth through adults to raise educational attainment and skill levels in Kentucky and Louisville.
      1. Priority is given to proposals addressing broad system improvements to the education pipeline creating measurable impact, have a collaborative or collective impact approach and broad support from multiple sectors in the community.
      2. Areas of interest to the foundation include school readiness, postsecondary readiness and success in 21st century workforce.
      3. Primary focus is Louisville region or statewide initiatives.   
   2. Higher Education Initiatives – Brown Fellows Program & Competitive Higher Education: Cultivate and establish nationally preeminent higher education in Kentucky and Louisville through the Brown Fellows Program and Higher Education Competitive Grants Initiatives.
   3. The Higher Education Competitive Grants Program is an RFP process issued at the beginning of each calendar year to public and private universities and colleges in Kentucky.
   4. The Brown Fellows Program is a single initiative spanning two distinguished Kentucky campuses – Centre college and the University of Louisville. The program features international travel, an enrichment program customized by the student and cultivation of research, study and leadership.