The Hayes Foundation
The Hayes Foundation is a private foundation based in New Haven, Connecticut. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations working in areas including health, education, community support, international humanitarian assistance, and the environment.
The Hayes Foundation at a glance
In short: The Hayes Foundation gave $2.2M across 54 grants in 2025 (avg $41K), top state New York. 2% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,206,025
- +27.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 54
- -3.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $40,852
- +32.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $29,499,893
- -2.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 2% first-time grantees (1 of 54, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (24% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Hayes Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 157 Church Street 19Th Floor 207, New Haven, CT 06510
Phone: (970) 390-6639
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Hayes Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Himalayan Cataract Project Inc ($215K). Together the top 10 received $1.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
270 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 211 grants of 270 (78%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in New York (24%), New Mexico (17%), Connecticut (14%), California (11%), and Vermont (10%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 54 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Hayes Foundation open to new grantees?
2%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 54 grantees (2%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $41K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $30K repeat.
- 93% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 40% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 103% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.3M (2020) to $2.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 54 grants totaling $2.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Himalayan Cataract Project Inc Waterbury, VT | HEALTH | $215,000 |
| Girls Inc Santa Fe Santa Fe, NM | Community | $145,000 |
| Safe Passage New Gloucester, ME | Education | $115,000 |
| Mission Blue Napa, CA | Environment | $100,000 |
| Santa Fe Conservation Trust Santa Fe, NM | Environment | $85,000 |
| Connecticut Foodshare Wallingford, CT | Community | $75,000 |
| Wolf Conservation Center South Salem, NY | Environment | $75,000 |
| World Wildlife Fund Washington, DC | Environment | $75,000 |
| International Rescue Committee New York, NY | International Community Support | $70,000 |
| New York Marine Rescue Center Riverhead, NY | Environment | $70,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Hayes Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $29,499,893 | $1,893,971 | $2,540,439 | $2,206,025 | 54 | $2,354,025 | $1,703,096 | $2,285,516 |
| 2024 | $30,237,763 | $3,449,404 | $2,028,506 | $1,726,170 | 56 | $1,874,170 | $3,174,210 | $1,978,674 |
| 2023 | $28,870,478 | $3,748,327 | $1,789,761 | $1,513,185 | 53 | $1,661,185 | $972,019 | $1,769,149 |
| 2022 | $26,952,213 | $1,532,386 | $1,857,398 | $1,574,000 | 54 | $1,722,000 | $889,527 | $1,652,827 |
| 2021 | $27,426,587 | $4,424,222 | $1,861,402 | $1,613,000 | 53 | $1,761,000 | $4,284,212 | $1,680,429 |
| 2020 | $25,057,323 | $813,191 | $1,582,588 | $1,301,500 | 58 | — | $522,195 | $1,357,185 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Hayes Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.3M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants include support for organizations addressing health, education, community needs, international humanitarian crises, and environmental conservation.
Among its grantees, the Himalayan Cataract Project says it works to develop high-quality, cost-effective eye care in underserved areas. Safe Passage describes its work as providing education and wellness services to students. The Santa Fe Conservation Trust says it protects culturally and environmentally significant landscapes in northern New Mexico. The Wolf Conservation Center describes itself as an environmental education organization working to advance wolf survival, and the Natural Resources Defense Council says it works on climate, wildlife, and access to clean air and water.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 54 grants totaling $2,206,025. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $215,000, with a median grant of $30,000. Its largest grants included $215,000 to the Himalayan Cataract Project, $145,000 to Girls Inc. Santa Fe, $115,000 to Safe Passage, $100,000 to Mission Blue, and $85,000 to the Santa Fe Conservation Trust. Other grants included $75,000 each to Connecticut Foodshare, the Wolf Conservation Center, and the World Wildlife Fund.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Michael Hayes, Elizabeth Christopher, and Kathleen Hayes as trustees and executives.
The Hayes Foundation's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Kathleen Hayes
Trustee & Executive
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
$40K (2022) → $40K (2025)
Michael Hayes
Trustee & Executive
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$80K (2022) → $80K (2025)
Elizabeth Christopher
Trustee & Executive
On filings since 2024
20 hrs/week
$40K (2024) → $40K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Elizabeth Hayes (2020–2023) — Trustee & Executive
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $80K, to Michael Hayes (Trustee/Exec). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Hayes Foundation
How much does The Hayes Foundation give each year?
The Hayes Foundation gave $2.2M across 54 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.7M across 56 grants.
What is The Hayes Foundation's typical grant size?
The Hayes Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $30,000, and its average grant was $40,852, across 54 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Hayes Foundation that year got $20K on average.
Where does The Hayes Foundation give grants?
The Hayes Foundation's top state is New York, with 24% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New Mexico (17%) and Connecticut (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Santa Fe, NM (9 grants), New York, NY (6 grants), Washington, DC (4 grants) and New Haven, CT (3 grants).
Does The Hayes Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 54 grants with a stated purpose on The Hayes Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Environment" (17 grants), "Community" (12 grants) and "International Community Support" (7 grants).
Who are The Hayes Foundation's largest grantees?
The Hayes Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Himalayan Cataract Project Inc ($215,000), Girls Inc Santa Fe ($145,000) and Safe Passage ($115,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Hayes Foundation?
The Hayes Foundation reported $29.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Hayes Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants include support for organizations addressing health, education, community needs, international humanitarian crises, and environmental conservation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Hayes Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Hayes Foundation's EIN?
The Hayes Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 06-1636828. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Hayes Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 1, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 1, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 2, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Hayes Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
Santa Fe Community Foundation
Santa Fe, NM
The Santa Fe Community Foundation funds 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in health, education, economic opportunity, the environment, arts and culture, and other community priorities; its main focus is Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, and Santa Fe counties, though some funds support work statewide. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,250 to $1,517,500, with a median of $16,006. It accepts proposals through competitive grant cycles and fund-specific opportunities; no grants were open at the time described.
Assets
$144.1M
Grants
302
Total Given
$12.4M
Synchrony Foundation
Stamford, CT
In 2024, Synchrony Foundation supported charitable organizations across workforce development, education, financial assistance, and giving, with grants ranging from $150 to $2.6 million and a median of $10,000. Its largest shares of grant funding went to Connecticut, New York, and South Carolina, followed by the District of Columbia and New Jersey; it does not accept unsolicited requests and funds preselected organizations only.
Assets
$72.3M
Grants
394
Total Given
$20.5M
Community Foundation of New Jersey
Morristown, NJ
The Community Foundation of New Jersey supports a broad range of causes, including arts, education, health, human services, and the environment, through donor-directed and other charitable funds. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of $19,759, with awards ranging widely; its current health grant opportunity serves Morris and Somerset counties. Eligible New Jersey nonprofits may apply to specific grant opportunities, subject to each opportunity’s guidelines.
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
1,321
Total Given
$93.8M
The Minneapolis Foundation
Minneapolis, MN
The Minneapolis Foundation funds civic, social, and economic needs, including economic mobility, education, health, the environment, arts, and human services, with most grant dollars going to Minnesota. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. It says no funding opportunities are currently open; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
1,565
Total Given
$121.7M
More similar funders
More Funders in Connecticut
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Hayes Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-hayes-foundation-morg_807e25950aaf4a3299292c5d01a92575
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_061636828_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Hayes Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-hayes-foundation-morg_807e25950aaf4a3299292c5d01a92575},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Hayes Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
The Hayes Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?