Grant Requirements & Process

How do I apply for funding?

Charitable contributions are divided between the Brown-Forman Foundation and the Corporation. Nonprofit organizations that meet the funding criteria may apply one time per fiscal year (May 1- April 30). Separate grant applications are required for each entity (corporation/foundation).

When is the deadline to apply?

The submission deadlines are May 1, August 1, November 1, and February 1. Funding decisions are typically made within 90 days following the submission deadline. Please keep this in mind for time-sensitive projects or events. The online grant applications for the Foundation and Corporation can be found at brown-forman.egrant.net.

What types of grants do you consider?

The Foundation will consider:

• Unrestricted operating support
• Restricted program support

Typically, the Foundation will consider requests of $25,000 and above

The Corporation will consider:

• Unrestricted operating support
• Restricted program support
• Event or performance sponsorship with any material return benefits such as tickets, product promotion, etc.

Typically, the Corporation will consider requests up to $25,000

Refer to our Grant Criteria for further guidance.

What documentation is required with my application?

The following documents are required for each submitted application:

• List of the organization’s leadership team and Board of Directors
• Copy of the IRS determination letter confirming your organization’s status as a 501(c)(3) organization that is also a public charity
• W-9 Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification completed within the same year as the application
• Audited financial statement from the most recently completed year
• A complete copy of the most recently filed IRS Form 990 tax return
• Organization budget for current year, including income and expenses
• Detailed project/event budget, including income and expenses
• List of other corporations/foundations from which you are requesting funds
• If the request includes event sponsorship, a list of sponsorship levels

Do you fund grants for organizations outside of Louisville?

While our deep roots in Louisville, Kentucky make our hometown city the focus of our efforts, over 30 of our production and regional offices around the globe have Civic Engagement Committees that determine how to best allocate funding to meet community needs. Organizations in these areas that are outside of Louisville, Kentucky may submit a project overview of no more than 250 words to community@b-f.com for possible consideration.

I have a question that’s not answered here. Who can I contact?

If you have questions about the process or issues with the online portal, send us a message and the appropriate member of our team will be back to you soon.