The HMC Designing Futures Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2009, based in Ontario, California. The foundation was created by HMC Architects, an award-winning design firm founded in 1940 that specializes in healthcare, education, and institutional facilities. The Designing Futures Foundation operates as the philanthropic arm of HMC Architects, channeling resources into charitable causes aligned with the firm's core values and competencies.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.7M
-2.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$126K
+23.9% YoY
Grant Count
23
-8.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
+34.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Hmc Designing Futures Foundation reported a distributable amount of $122K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to build a better world through strategic charitable investments in communities where HMC Architects operates. Primary focus areas include:
- Architecture and Design Education: Grants to nonprofit organizations focused on architecture and design to positively impact the built environment
- STEM and STEAM Education: Supporting science, technology, engineering, math, and arts education to train the next generation of creators and innovators
- Educational Scholarships: Awards to outstanding high school and college students pursuing STEM-related careers
- Health and Human Services: Building healthy and vibrant communities
- Environmental Sustainability and Resilience: Creating a sustainable and regenerative future
- Gun Violence Prevention: Supporting efforts to combat gun violence
- Humanitarian Relief: Providing Ukrainian humanitarian relief
- Bridge to College Programs: Supporting underserved community college students who aspire to careers in architecture and design
Grantmaking
No specific application procedures are detailed in available sources.
Grant Range
approximately $2,200 (based on $101,000 awarded in recent year data)
Average Grant
approximately $2,200 (based on $101,000 awarded in recent year data)
Grant Types
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects across 17 states, including:
- California (primary focus)
- Texas
- New York
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Oregon
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
The foundation maintains particular focus on communities where HMC Architects operates, with significant activity in major urban areas including Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets and Revenue (2023):
- Total Assets: $1,783,625
- Total Revenue: $114,286
- Total Expenses: $118,266
- Total Liabilities: $0
Historical Context:
- Established with initial endowment of $1.9 million in 2009
- Cumulative distributions exceed $1.7 million since inception
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,731,914 | $1,783,625 | $1,802,242 |
| Revenue | $101,169 | $114,286 | $35,854 |
| Expenses | $144,376 | $118,266 | $205,478 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $129,288 | $104,808 | $184,849 |
| Net Investment Income | $92,544 | $103,167 | $69,770 |
| Distributable Amount | $121,907 | $99,780 | $98,774 |
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
194 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sac ($25,000), Ace Mentoring Program ($10,000), One Tree Planted ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NOMA FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | NOMA HBCU MENTORING PROGRAM | $3,000 |
| BRIGHT PROSPECT POMONA, CA | PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE COUNSELING AND SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS 9TH - 12TH GRADE | $5,500 |
| ARCHITECTURE FOR COMMUNITIES LOS ANGELES LOS ANGELES, CA | 2X8 AND DXD STUDENT SCHOLORSHIPS | $5,000 |
| DIY GIRLS BURBANK, CA | SUPPORT INVENT GIRLS PROGRAM AT SYLMAR HIGH SCHOOL FOR 23 GIRLS AND GENDER-EXPANSIVE YOUTH | $5,000 |
| CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY LONGBEACH LONG BEACH, CA | PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIP | $1,000 |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY RIVERSIDE, CA | MATCHING DONATION EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEERISM PIRATES 4 A CAUSE | $1,500 |
| AIA LA LOS ANGELES, CA | DONAR WALL SPONSORSHIP TO SUPPORT AIA LA'S NEW HOME | $5,000 |
| SOCAL NOMA LOS ANGELES, CA | SUPPORT THE PROJECT PIPELINE ARCHITECTURE SUMMER BOOTCAMP | $5,000 |
| LEAP ARTS IN EDUCATION SAN FRANCISCO, CA | PROVIDE EQUITY-DRIVEN, STUDENT-CENTERED ARCHITECTURE ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCIES PROGRAMS FOR 120 BAY AREA STUDENTS WITH QUALIFIED ARCHITECTURE TEACHING ARTISTS WITH A 12-WEEK CURRICULUM. | $5,000 |
| AIA INLAND CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE, CA | SPONSOR AND SUPPORT THE 2024 AIAIC STUDENT DESIGN AWARDS PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS IN THE REGIONAL ARCHITECTURE SCHOOLS. | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Brian Staton: President and CEO of HMC Architects; President of the Designing Futures Foundation
- Adrienne Luce: Executive Director
- Leadership team operates on a volunteer basis without compensation
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADRIENNE LUCE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 0.6 | — |
| BRIAN STATON | PRESIDENT | 0.6 | — |
| EERA BABTIWALE | BOARD MEMBER | 0.6 | — |
| ERIC CARBONNIER | BOARD MEMBER | 0.6 | — |
| ISRAEL PENA | SECRETARY | 0.6 | — |
| SHWETA JOSHI | BOARD MEMBER | 0.6 | — |
| STEVEN WILSON | BOARD MEMBER | 0.6 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2023:**
Made 46 grants totaling approximately $101,000
Continued support for architecture scholarships and STEM education initiatives
HMC\u2019s DFF Supports the Future of Architecture | Designing Futures Foundation,\**2020:**
Launched the HMC Million Meals initiative
Donated $100,000 to nonprofits in the Feeding America and Share Our Strength / No Kid Hungry networks
Served as silver sponsor for the American Institute of Architects Los Angeles 2×8: Domum Student Exhibition, supporting $30,000 in scholarships for winning student designers
**2019:**
Celebrated ten-year anniversary milestone
Surpassed $1 million in cumulative charitable donations
Recognized for investments in architecture education, STEM/STEAM programs, and community development
DFF Awards Community Project Grants to Advance Architecture and STEM EducationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hmc Designing Futures Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to build a better world through strategic charitable investments in communities where HMC Architects operates. Primary focus areas include: • **Architecture and Design Education**: Grants to nonprofit organizations focused on architecture and design to positively impact the built environment • **STEM and STEAM Education**: Supporting science, technology, engineering, math, and arts education to train the next generation of creators and innovators • **Educational Scho…
How do I apply for a grant from Hmc Designing Futures Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 46 grants in 2023 • Average grant size: approximately $2,200 (based on $101,000 awarded in recent year data) • Recent grantees include Boys & Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles, Arquitina Corporation, DIY Girls, and Diablo Valley College Foundation • Individual grants documented range from $5,000 to $10,000 **Grant Types:** • Direct grants to nonprofits supporting architecture, STEM education, and community development • Educational scholarships to high school and colleg…
Where does Hmc Designing Futures Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds projects across 17 states, including: • California (primary focus) • Texas • New York • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Illinois • Indiana • Maryland • Michigan • Minnesota • Montana • Oregon • Vermont • Virginia • Washington The foundation maintains particular focus on communities where HMC Architects operates, with significant activity in major urban areas including Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.
What size grants does Hmc Designing Futures Foundation award?
In 2024, Hmc Designing Futures Foundation awarded 23 grants totaling $126K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Hmc Designing Futures Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Hmc Designing Futures Foundation reported a distributable amount of $122K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Hmc Designing Futures Foundation's EIN?
Hmc Designing Futures Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-3935702. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Hmc Designing Futures 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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