The Allen Hilles Fund
The Allen Hilles Fund is a private foundation based in Radnor, Pennsylvania, established in 1983 by Edith Hilles Dewees in memory of her father, Thomas Allen Hilles. The foundation operates as a family foundation with a volunteer board and focuses on supporting nonprofit organizations serving vulnerable populations through direct services and advocacy strategies.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.9M
+10.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$526K
-7.1% YoY
Grant Count
75
-5.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
-2.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Hilles Fund seeks to enhance the quality of life for children, youth, and women in the city of Philadelphia and the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont (comprising Essex, Orleans, and Caledonia Counties) by supporting direct services and advocacy strategies that focus on:
- Education — including elementary and secondary education and educational advocacy
- Youth Development — youth enhancement and youth arts programming
- Women's Self-Sufficiency — women's independence and empowerment
- Community Development — opportunities in the Northeast Kingdom
The fund may also consider projects related to the Religious Society of Friends if they are consistent with the fund's priority areas.
The foundation affirms its commitment to the principles of equity, inclusion, and diversity in its grantmaking and organizational practices.
Grantmaking
Sue Hone, Grants Manager
Grant Range
$500–$18,800
Average Grant
amount: approximately $7,900–$10,500
Review Cycle
March 15 and September 15
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The fund primarily supports organizations serving:
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Northeast Kingdom, Vermont (Essex, Orleans, and Caledonia Counties)
- New York City (for certain initiatives)
The fund has also provided financial support to organizations in other major urban centers including Atlanta, Denver, and Washington, D.C.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $5,852,770
- Total annual giving: $526,240
- Total revenues: $1,233,322
- Total expenses: $680,047
- Giving rate: approximately 9.0% of assets
- Number of employees: 0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,852,770 | $5,299,495 | $5,625,584 |
| Revenue | $1,233,322 | $354,237 | $242,843 |
| Expenses | $680,047 | $680,326 | $761,924 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $612,978 | $634,579 | $674,348 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,171,611 | $296,746 | $179,176 |
| Distributable Amount | $513,849 | $452,273 | $482,513 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Allen Hilles Fund
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Robert L. Dewees Jr. — President
- Stephanie D. Judson — Director
- Edward D. Dewees — Treasurer
The foundation operates with a volunteer board, with no paid staff positions.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT L DEWEES JR ESQ | PRESIDENT | 0.5 | — |
| STEPHANIE D JUDSON | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| EDWARD D DEWEES CFA CIC | TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
| DAPHNE ROWE | SECRETARY/ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRISTINA HOLIDAY | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| CANDACE MATTHEWS BASS | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| OCTAVIA HOWELL | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| BRIAN JONES | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation remains actively engaged in grantmaking with 1 live grant opportunity listed. Recent grants have supported organizations including the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia, Children First PA, and Lift Every Voice Philly, with awards ranging from $10,000 to $11,000 for specific initiatives focused on education access, parent empowerment, and community organizing.
Rita & Alex Hillman Foundation Announces 2026 GrantData last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Allen Hilles Fund on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
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