The Harkness Trust
The Harkness Trust is a private foundation, based in Wilmington, DE. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $12.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $600K. Net investment income was $823K.
The Harkness Trust at a glance
In short: The Harkness Trust gave $600K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $600K), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $600,000
- -7.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $600,000
- -7.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $600,000
- Total assets
- $12,142,255
- +1.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Harkness Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Harvard University ($600K).
Grant Size Distribution
12 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 4 grants of 12 (33%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
Cities
How The Harkness Trust gives
- Giving fell 22% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 80% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $450K (2020) to $770K (2021). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $600K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard University Cambridge, MA | General | $600,000 |
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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 | $12,142,255 | $838,602 | $633,710 | $600,000 | 1 | $617,875 | $822,767 | $773,810 |
| 2023 | $11,918,692 | $467,333 | $681,234 | $650,000 | 1 | $650,000 | $436,099 | $733,357 |
| 2022 | $12,029,122 | $241,002 | $797,215 | $650,000 | 4 | $650,000 | — | $778,299 |
| 2021 | $12,590,643 | $5,609,144 | $849,014 | $770,000 | 4 | $770,000 | $5,599,626 | $729,617 |
| 2020 | $7,829,607 | $2,905,347 | $464,081 | $450,000 | 2 | — | $2,891,266 | $464,783 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Harkness Trust reported a distributable amount of $774K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Harkness Trust is led by Theodore H. Ashford, Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Theodore H. Ashford
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Harkness Trust
How much does The Harkness Trust give each year?
The Harkness Trust gave $600K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $650K across 1 grant.
How large is The Harkness Trust?
The Harkness Trust reported $12.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $618K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $774K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
Where does The Harkness Trust operate?
The Harkness Trust has awarded grants in Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia.
What is The Harkness Trust's EIN?
The Harkness Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-6498255. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Harkness Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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