The Hearst Foundation
Annual Giving
$17.0M-3% YoY
Grants
111
Median Grant
$150K
Organizations Funded
335
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Foundation Overview
Mission
The mission of the Hearst Foundations is to identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States can build healthy, productive and satisfying lives. Through its grantmaking, the Hearst Foundations support well-established nonprofit organizations that address significant issues within their major areas of focus—culture, education, health and social service—and that primarily serve large demographic and/or geographic constituencies.
Focus Areas
Grant Types
Funded Initiatives
The Hearst Foundations have surpassed $1.5 billion in grants to over 6,400 organizations since founding in 1946. In 2023, made 283 grants totaling $68.075 million. Established over 1,230 endowments totaling more than $325 million at colleges, universities, arts institutions and medical centers. Fully funds United States Senate Youth Program established in 1962 with college scholarships and yearly grants to state departments of education.
How to Apply
All applications must be completed using the Hearst Foundations' Online Grant Application portal. Year-round rolling application with no deadlines. Applications not submitted within three months are automatically deleted. Average time from proposal submission to grant award is six months. Board meets quarterly to approve grants.
Does Not Fund
Organizations not registered as 501(c)(3) require IRS determination letter. Does not fund festivals, tours, conferences, workshops or seminars. Predominantly non-endowment grants. If grant request unsuccessful, must wait minimum one year before reapplying. Only one proposal per institution through central development offices.
Based on publicly available information from the foundation's 990 filings and website.
Giving History
$17.0M
Grants
111
Median
$150K
States
29
$17.6M
Grants
121
Median
$150K
States
34
$19.0M
Grants
151
Median
$100K
States
38
Grant Size Distribution
$150K
Typical Grant (Median)
$75K
Smallest
$100K
25th Pctile
$150K
75th Pctile
$500K
Largest
Excludes grants ≤ $5K. Half fall between $100K and $150K.
Largest Recent Grants
$500K
2024
Children's Museum of Manhattan
NY · To support the restoration renovation of a landmark bldg to become the museums new home
$500K
2024
Save the Children Federation
CT · To provide support for Early learning in Rural Areas
$350K
2024
New Museum
NY · To provide support for the capital expansion of the museum and service capacity
$300K
2024
Center for Disability Services Inc
NY · To support the Center Health Care clinic for patients with intellectual and development disabilities
$250K
2024
The Carnegie Hall Corporation
NY · To support music education
Geographic Focus
Top states by total grant dollars. Based on IRS filing data.
Financial Overview
Grants paid shown as percentage of total assets
Data sourced from IRS 990 and 990-PF filings and publicly available foundation websites. Grant data, financial figures, and organizational details reflect historical filings and may not represent current operations or funding priorities. Verify directly with the foundation before applying. See an issue? Let us know.