The Harkness Trust

WILMINGTON, DE EIN: 51-6498255

The Harkness Trust is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, 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 grants totaling $600K. Net investment income was $823K.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$12.1M

+1.9% YoY

Annual Giving

$600K

-7.7% YoY

Grant Count

1

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$600K

-7.7% YoY

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.

About The Harkness Trust

Based on IRS filings

The Harkness Trust is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, 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 grants totaling $600K. Net investment income was $823K.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

4states

Cities

CambridgeKingstonMount VernonNewportNorth AndoverRochesterWakefield

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$2M$3M$5M$6M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$12,142,255$11,918,692$12,029,122
Revenue$838,602$467,333$241,002
Expenses$633,710$681,234$797,215
Qualifying Distributions$617,875$650,000$650,000
Net Investment Income$822,767$436,099
Distributable Amount$773,810$733,357$778,299

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$193K$385K$578K$770K2 grants20204 grants20214 grants20221 grants20231 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 1 recipients in 2024

HARVARD UNIVERSITY$600K

Grant Size Distribution

12 grants across all recorded years

2<$50K1$50–100K4$100–250K1$250–500K4$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Harvard University ($600,000).

RecipientPurposeAmount
HARVARD UNIVERSITY CAMBRIDGE, MAGENERAL$600,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
THEODORE H ASHFORDTRUSTEE

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Harkness Trust?

The Harkness Trust is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in WILMINGTON, DE. It holds $12.1M in total assets as of 2024.

How large is The Harkness Trust?

As of 2024, The Harkness Trust holds $12.1M in total assets with $839K in annual revenue. It awarded 1 grants totaling $600K in 2024.

Where does The Harkness Trust operate?

The Harkness Trust has awarded grants in Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia.

What size grants does The Harkness Trust award?

In 2024, The Harkness Trust awarded 1 grants totaling $600K — an average of about $600K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is The Harkness Trust required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Harkness Trust reported a distributable amount of $774K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

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.

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Browse active grant opportunities in The Harkness Trust's focus areas in our free grants database

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

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