Hawthornden Foundation
Hawthornden Foundation is a private foundation based in New York, New York, supporting contemporary writers and the literary arts through grants, retreats, and literary programs. Founded by Drue Heinz, it operates writers’ retreat programs at Hawthornden Castle in Scotland, Casa Ecco in Italy, and Hawthornden Brooklyn in New York, and sponsors the Hawthornden Prize.
Hawthornden Foundation at a glance
In short: Hawthornden Foundation gave $2.5M across 43 grants in 2024 (avg $57K), top state New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,469,150
- -56.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 43
- -10.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $57,422
- -51.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $225,517,104
- +4.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (40% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Hawthornden Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. It identifies and contacts selected organizations to explore shared interests and needs, and may then invite full proposals. An invitation does not guarantee funding, but invited proposals receive careful review. Eligible applicants are U.S. charities or non-U.S. charities equivalent to U.S. public charities. The Foundation does not fund capital campaigns or endowments.
- Contact
Mailing address: 27 Union Sq West 302, New York, NY 10003
Phone: (347) 234-5232
Website: https://hawthornden.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Hawthornden Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Charities Aid Foundation America ($927K). Together the top 10 received $1.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
99 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 57 grants of 99 (58%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation says it funds programs in the United States and United Kingdom, as well as in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Southwest Asia. In 2024, its grant dollars by recipient state were reported as 40% to New York, 38% to Virginia, 12% to California, 4% to Washington, and 2% to Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Hawthornden Foundation gives
- 59% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+10%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 196% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $19K (2020) to $5.6M (2023). In 2024 it made 43 grants totaling $2.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Charities Aid Foundation America Alexandria, VA | Literary Arts Support. | $927,000 |
| Markaz Review Los Angeles, CA | Literary Arts Support. | $150,000 |
| Moleskine Foundation Inc New York, NY | Literary Arts Support. | $150,000 |
| Cave Canem Foundation Inc Brooklyn, NY | Literary Arts Support. | $100,000 |
| Community of Literary Magazines and Presses New York, NY | Literary Arts Support. | $75,000 |
| Words Without Borders Brooklyn, NY | Literary Arts Support. | $75,000 |
| International Friends of the London Library New York, NY | Literary Arts Support. | $60,000 |
| Archipelago Books Brooklyn, NY | Literary Arts Support. | $50,000 |
| Authors Guild Foundation New York, NY | Literary Arts Support. | $50,000 |
| Brooklyn Book Festival Brooklyn, NY | Literary Arts Support. | $50,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $225,517,104 | $44,098,458 | $9,440,229 | $2,469,150 | 43 | $16,716,156 | $42,829,554 | $8,530,068 |
| 2023 | $215,258,550 | $7,617,794 | $11,466,960 | $5,632,000 | 48 | $10,912,632 | $4,767,545 | $8,737,867 |
| 2022 | $206,848,311 | $-1,441,175 | $5,229,591 | $2,142,650 | 3 | $7,737,055 | $1,710,194 | $11,977,144 |
| 2021 | $228,597,299 | $115,561,060 | $3,628,608 | $2,241,255 | 4 | $3,510,947 | $2,025,639 | $5,657,151 |
| 2020 | $105,753,325 | $6,514,146 | $1,223,748 | $19,451 | 1 | — | $1,358,915 | $4,126,102 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Hawthornden Foundation reported a distributable amount of $8.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to support exceptional contemporary writers and provide them with a refuge to focus on their writing. It also aims to support literary arts internationally, including nonprofit organizations serving writers, literary presses and journals, book festivals, literary centers, presenters, and literary service organizations.
Its grantmaking includes culturally specific poetry organizations, international literary festivals and presenters, playwright residencies, literary prizes, independent translation publishing, literary magazines, writing and professional development workshops, and youth literary and creative writing programs. The Foundation says it supports creative writing in all languages and seeks to fund organizations serving literary arts communities, including those in regions with weak literary infrastructure or limited philanthropic resources.
Examples of 2024 grantees illustrate this range. Cave Canem describes its mission as cultivating the artistic and professional growth of African American poets and promoting appreciation of African American poetry; it received $100,000. Words Without Borders, which received $75,000, says it translates, publishes, and promotes contemporary world literature. City of Asylum, a $50,000 grantee, says it provides sanctuary to endangered literary writers and artists and offers literary, arts, and humanities programs. Brooklyn Book Festival, also awarded $50,000, describes its purpose as enhancing Brooklyn’s literary and cultural environment through an annual festival.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 43 grants totaling $2,469,150. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $927,000, with a median of $25,000. Its largest reported grants included $927,000 to Charities Aid Foundation America, $150,000 each to Markaz Review and Moleskine Foundation, and $100,000 to Cave Canem Foundation. The listed purposes for these grants were literary arts support.
Other notable awards included $75,000 each to the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses and Words Without Borders, and $60,000 to International Friends of the London Library. Brooklyn Book Festival, Brooklyn College Foundation, City of Asylum Pittsburgh, and Copper Canyon Press each received $50,000. Charities Aid Foundation America describes its mission as connecting donors with charities to advance philanthropic giving; Moleskine Foundation describes its work as promoting education, access to information, and inclusive learning.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing were Ellyn Toscano, Executive Director; Judy Makanda, Director of Finance/Operations; David Campbell, Trustee; Alexandra Jacobus, Trustee; Sir Jonathan Bate, Trustee; Victoria Gray, Trustee; Jospeh Versace, Treasurer; and Merve Emre, Trustee.
Hawthornden Foundation is led by Ellyn Toscano, Executive Director on every filing since 2022; 3 of 8 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ellyn Toscano
Executive Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$217K (2022) → $435K (2024)
David Campbell
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$31K (2022) → $40K (2024)
Judy Makanda
Director of Finance & Operations
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$142K (2023) → $254K (2024)
Alexandra Jacobus
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Bate
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Victoria Gray
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Merve Emre
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jospeh Versace
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Julia V. Shea (2020–2022) — Treasurer & Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $435K, to Ellyn Toscano (Executive Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Hawthornden Foundation
How much does Hawthornden Foundation give each year?
Hawthornden Foundation gave $2.5M across 43 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $5.6M across 48 grants.
What is Hawthornden Foundation's typical grant size?
Hawthornden Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $57,422, across 43 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Hawthornden Foundation give grants?
Hawthornden Foundation's top state is New York, with 40% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Virginia (38%) and California (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (17 grants), Brooklyn, NY (13 grants), Los Angeles, CA (2 grants) and San Francisco, CA (2 grants).
Does Hawthornden Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 43 grants with a stated purpose on Hawthornden Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Literary Arts Support." (43 grants).
Who are Hawthornden Foundation's largest grantees?
Hawthornden Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Charities Aid Foundation America ($927,000), Markaz Review ($150,000) and Moleskine Foundation Inc ($150,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Hawthornden Foundation?
Hawthornden Foundation reported $225.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $16.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $8.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Hawthornden Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to support exceptional contemporary writers and provide them with a refuge to focus on their writing. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Hawthornden Foundation?
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Hawthornden Foundation's EIN?
Hawthornden Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1324746. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Hawthornden Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Hawthornden Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/hawthornden-foundation-morg_31360125c3ea49a9b54b1a2e7a065ba5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_521324746_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Hawthornden Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/hawthornden-foundation-morg_31360125c3ea49a9b54b1a2e7a065ba5},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Hawthornden Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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