W L Lyons Brown Foundation
Invitation OnlyLouisville, Kentucky · EIN 61-0598511 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2025)$34.1M
Organizations funded21
Typical grant$12,000
Total assets$0
Half of its grants to organizations were between $6,000 and $3,684,861.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2025 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
52% of grants went outside Kentucky.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Msb Cockayne Fund Inc | Nashville, TN | Liquidating distribution | $11,380,633 |
| Skylight Woods Foundation Inc | Louisville, KY | Liquidating distribution | $5,653,382 |
| Limestone Family Foundation Inc | Louisville, KY | Liquidating distribution | $5,527,278 |
| Owsley Brown III Philanthropic Foundation Inc | Louisville, KY | Liquidating distribution | $3,769,149 |
| Brooke Brown Barzun Philanthropic Foundation Inc | Louisville, KY | Liquidating distribution | $3,759,149 |
| Sociable Weaver Foundation | Louisville, KY | Liquidating distribution | $3,684,861 |
| Food Literacy Project | Louisville, KY | Capital support | $125,000 |
| Billfish Foundation | Ft Lauderdale, FL | Operational support | $100,000 |
| Berry Center | New Castle, KY | Operational support | $50,000 |
| Episcopal High School | Alexandria, VA | Operational support | $12,500 |
| Brevard Music Center | Brevard, NC | Program support | $12,000 |
| Salisbury School | Salisbury, CT | Operational support | $10,000 |
| Unc Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC | Program support | $10,000 |
| Trees Louiville | Louisville, KY | Program support | $10,000 |
| University of Colorado Foundation | Denver, CO | Program support | $10,000 |
| Ducks Unlimited Inc | Memphis, TN | Program support | $6,000 |
| American Farmland Trust | Washington, DC | Operational support | $5,000 |
| Norton Healthcare Foundation | Louisville, KY | Program support | $5,000 |
| Sheridan Community Land Trust | Sheridan, WY | Operational support | $5,000 |
| His Church Anglican | Livonia, MI | Operational support | $5,000 |
| Second Stride Inc | Prospect, KY | Operational support | $2,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,141,952 | 21 |
| 2024 | $4,123,800 | 139 |
| 2023 | $4,684,152 | 148 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed May 13, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202621339349100832
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 61-0598511
- Profile updated Nov 4, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.