The Hilton Global Foundation is the global philanthropic arm of Hilton, a leader in the hospitality industry. Based in McLean, Virginia, the foundation was launched in 2019 as part of Hilton's 100th anniversary celebration. The foundation operates as a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating positive environmental and social impact in communities around the world where Hilton operates.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.1M
+44.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.7M
+103.9% YoY
Grant Count
34
-49.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$196K
+301.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Hilton Global Foundation reported a distributable amount of $173K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Hilton Global Foundation's mission is to create a better world to travel. The foundation supports projects aligned with Hilton's Travel with Purpose strategy, which commits to creating positive environmental and social impact in the thousands of communities where Hilton operates.
The foundation prioritizes three core funding areas:
Environmental Sustainability — Supporting projects that reduce waste, increase access to clean water in communities, and protect biodiversity in destinations and communities served by Hilton, ensuring destinations remain beautiful for future generations of travelers.
Career Development — Creating an engine of opportunity in communities by supporting projects that provide training, skill building, and career opportunities for individuals seeking pathways into the hospitality industry and related fields.
Community Resilience — Advancing economic and community resilience, addressing food insecurity, and supporting immediate relief and recovery efforts in the aftermath of disasters or crisis situations.
Grantmaking
The Hilton Global Foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations serving communities where Hilton operates. Recent grant announcements demonstrate significant annual commitments:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Hilton Global Foundation funds projects globally across numerous cities and countries where Hilton operates. Recent grantees have included organizations in Nigeria, Costa Rica, India, and communities across the United States and internationally. The foundation's geographic reach extends to major cities including New York, London, and Dubai, as well as smaller communities worldwide.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Based on the most recent available financial information:
- Total Assets: $3.5 million
- Annual Revenue: $6.3 million
- Annual Expenses: $5.1 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,111,755 | $3,546,827 | $827,521 |
| Revenue | $7,620,887 | $6,362,396 | $2,711,413 |
| Expenses | $7,947,238 | $5,144,534 | $2,653,750 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $7,396,141 | $3,785,233 | $2,312,998 |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | $173,099 | $227,226 | $6,749 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
167 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Global Impact ($1,484,512), Dc Central Kitchen ($400,000), International Youth Foundation ($350,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AWLADY ORPHANAGE | ANNUAL GRANT PROGRAM 2023 | $5,000 |
| BE YOUR EYES | ANNUAL GRANT PROGRAM 2023 | $250,000 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES ALEXANDRIA, VA | ANNUAL GRANT PROGRAM 2024 | $5,000 |
| CLEAN MEMPHIS MEMPHIS, TN | ANNUAL GRANT PROGRAM 2024 | $300,000 |
| DC CENTRAL KITCHEN WASHINGTON, DC | ANNUAL GRANT PROGRAM 2024 | $400,000 |
| DON BOSCO CRISTO REY WORK STUD TAKOMA PARK, MD | ANNUAL GRANT PROGRAM 2024 | $35,000 |
| DOWN'S SYNDROME ASSOCIATION | ANNUAL GRANT PROGRAM 2023 | $224,000 |
| FOUNDATION MAROCAINE DE LEDUCATION POUR LEMPLOI | ANNUAL GRANT PROGRAM 2023 | $276,000 |
| GLOBAL IMPACT ALEXANDRIA, VA | TEAM MEMBER ASSISTANCE FUND | $1,484,512 |
| HOMELESS PROJECT SCOTLAND | ANNUAL GRANT PROGRAM 2024 | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Katherine Lugar — Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Hilton and President, Hilton Global Foundation
Erica Gordon — President (listed among foundation leadership)
Catherine Linskey — Foundation Director
The foundation's board of directors and officers work on a voluntary basis, receiving no compensation for their roles.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTOPHER NASSETTA | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| ALAN WATTS | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| DANNY HUGHES | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| KEVIN JACOBS | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| ANNE-MARIE D'ANGELO | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| SIMON VINCENT | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| MATTHEW SCHUYLER END 072024 | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| CHRIS SILCOCK | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| LAURA FUENTES | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| KATHERINE LUGAR | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| JESSICA ZIELKE | VICE PRESIDENT | 10 | — |
| OWEN WILCOX | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| ABIGAIL SACHS | ASSISTANT SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| MICHAEL DUFFY | TREASURER | 0.25 | — |
| MATTHEW STEINHOFF | ASSISTANT TREASURER | 0.25 | — |
| CATHERINE LINSKEY | FOUNDATION DIRECTOR | 40 | — |
| FALLON BRIDGELAND AS OF 022024 | FOUNDATION MANAGER | 40 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2026 Grant Cycle**: The Hilton Global Foundation announced $5.4 million in grants to 18 organizations, representing the foundation's largest annual investment to date. These grants support organizations expanding pathways into hospitality careers, equipping youth with job-ready skills, addressing food insecurity and reducing waste, and strengthening economic and community resilience around the world.
Hilton Global Foundation Commits $5.4M to 18 Organizations ...**2024 Grant Cycle**: The foundation announced $5.3 million in grants to 16 nonprofits, described as a record commitment at that time. Recipients included organizations such as Wavecrest College of Hospitality in Lagos, Nigeria, which provides technical and vocational training for young women in the hospitality industry, and BioSur Foundation on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica, which works to protect rainforests.
Hilton Global Foundation Commits $5.4M to 18 Organizations ...**Cumulative Impact (Since 2019)**:
Provided clean water access to over 220,000 people
Donated more than 18 million pounds of food to communities in need
Created nearly 113,000 learning and career growth opportunities
**Grantee Spotlight**: Aurora Foxes, a catering college and training hotel for young adults with learning disabilities, has been a long-term partner of Hilton and the foundation. Through foundation support, Aurora Foxes launched the Flying Fox food truck in April 2022 to provide hands-on training. Hilton has hosted over 30 work placements, currently employs 10 Aurora Foxes graduates across 8 hotels, and has provided 80+ learning and career growth opportunities for students.
Hilton Global Foundation Commits $5.4M to 18 Organizations ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hilton Global Foundation fund?
The Hilton Global Foundation's mission is to create a better world to travel. The foundation supports projects aligned with Hilton's Travel with Purpose strategy, which commits to creating positive environmental and social impact in the thousands of communities where Hilton operates. The foundation prioritizes three core funding areas: **Environmental Sustainability** — Supporting projects that reduce waste, increase access to clean water in communities, and protect biodiversity in destinations…
How do I apply for a grant from Hilton Global Foundation?
The Hilton Global Foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations serving communities where Hilton operates. Recent grant announcements demonstrate significant annual commitments: • **2026 Grants**: $5.4 million distributed to 18 nonprofit organizations globally—the foundation's largest annual investment to date • **2024 Grants**: $5.3 million distributed to 16 nonprofits—described as a record commitment at that time The foundation distributes Action Grants to Hilton Team Members to conduct…
Where does Hilton Global Foundation make grants?
The Hilton Global Foundation funds projects globally across numerous cities and countries where Hilton operates. Recent grantees have included organizations in Nigeria, Costa Rica, India, and communities across the United States and internationally. The foundation's geographic reach extends to major cities including New York, London, and Dubai, as well as smaller communities worldwide.
What size grants does Hilton Global Foundation award?
In 2024, Hilton Global Foundation awarded 34 grants totaling $6.7M — an average of about $196K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Hilton Global Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Hilton Global Foundation reported a distributable amount of $173K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Hilton Global Foundation's EIN?
Hilton Global Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-1854168. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Hilton Global Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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