The Hearst Foundation
The Hearst Foundation is a New York-based private foundation that supports outstanding U.S. nonprofits working in culture, education, health and social services. It is one of two independent private foundations founded by William Randolph Hearst; the Foundations share leadership, staff and funding guidelines and are managed as one entity.
The Hearst Foundation at a glance
In short: The Hearst Foundation gave $17.0M across 111 grants in 2024 (avg $153K), top state New York. 60% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $16,975,000
- -3.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 111
- -8.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $152,928
- +5.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $150,000
- Total assets
- $430,327,798
- +9.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 60% first-time grantees (67 of 111, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (30% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Hearst Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Applications are submitted through the Hearst Foundations Grants Portal. Applicants are asked to review the instructions and sample application before beginning. An application can be continued for three months after it is created, after which it is removed from the system. Incomplete applications or applications missing required attachments cannot be reviewed. The Foundations’ 2024 filing states that giving is not restricted to preselected organizations.
- Contact
Application contact: See The Fdn'S Website Hearstfdnorg
Mailing address: 300 W 57Th St, New York, NY 10019
Phone: (212) 649-3748
Website: https://hearstfdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Hearst Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Children's Museum of Manhattan ($500K). Together the top 10 received $3.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
730 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 456 grants of 730 (62%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundations support organizations across the United States. New York-based staff review proposals from east of the Mississippi River, and San Francisco-based staff review proposals from west of the river. In 2024, recipient organizations were located primarily in New York (30% of grant dollars), followed by California (11%), and the District of Columbia, Missouri and Massachusetts (6% each).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 111 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Hearst Foundation open to new grantees?
60%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 67 of 111 grantees (60%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $144K; repeat grants $166K. How we count
Medians: $125K first-time, $150K repeat.
- 4% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+5%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 95% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $16.2M (2021) to $32.1M (2020). In 2024 it made 111 grants totaling $17.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Children's Museum of Manhattan New York, NY | To support the restoration renovation of a landmark bldg to become the museums new home | $500,000 |
| Save the Children Federation Fairfield, CT | To provide support for Early learning in Rural Areas | $500,000 |
| New Museum New York, NY | To provide support for the capital expansion of the museum and service capacity | $350,000 |
| Center for Disability Services Inc Albany, NY | To support the Center Health Care clinic for patients with intellectual and development disabilities | $300,000 |
| National Park Foundation Washington, DC | To support environmental education programs | $250,000 |
| Crohns & Colitis Foundation New York, NY | To support early career researchers in inflammatory bowel disease | $250,000 |
| The Carnegie Hall Corporation New York, NY | To support music education | $250,000 |
| NY Pubic Library New York, NY | To support the new Center for Educators Schools | $250,000 |
| Hunter College Foundation New York, NY | To support the Nursing Program | $250,000 |
| New World Symphony Miami Beach, FL | To support the New World Symphony Fellowship Program | $200,000 |
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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 | $430,327,798 | $31,733,344 | $21,946,437 | $16,975,000 | 111 | $18,864,502 | $37,008,717 | $19,797,161 |
| 2023 | $394,053,165 | $36,040,396 | $21,244,744 | $17,550,000 | 121 | $19,206,029 | $19,934,346 | $17,217,317 |
| 2022 | $343,830,760 | $-10,343,194 | $23,014,690 | $18,980,000 | 151 | $20,532,220 | $10,786,869 | $18,647,288 |
| 2021 | $439,249,947 | $42,040,987 | $18,948,142 | $16,210,000 | 142 | $17,914,432 | $45,892,386 | $20,227,353 |
| 2020 | $400,481,501 | $41,067,296 | $35,089,306 | $32,075,000 | 205 | — | $14,296,347 | $17,943,615 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Hearst Foundation reported a distributable amount of $19.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundations’ mission is to identify and fund outstanding nonprofits so people of all backgrounds in the United States can build healthy, productive and satisfying lives. They support well-established organizations addressing significant issues in culture, education, health and social services, particularly those serving large demographic or geographic constituencies. They look for differentiated results and evidence that work can be sustained beyond their support.
Examples of grantees’ work include the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, which describes its mission as supporting young children’s growth and development; Save the Children Federation, which works for immediate and lasting change in children’s lives; and the Center for Disability Services, which provides services to people with developmental or neurological impairments. Other 2024 grantees include the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, focused on research and quality of life for people affected by those diseases, and Harvesters – The Community Food Network, which works to improve equitable access to nutritious food and address hunger.
The Foundations’ stated goals include improving health and quality of life, increasing access to high-quality education, promoting the arts and sciences, supporting family stability and self-sufficiency, and creating sustainable employment and career paths.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 111 grants totaling $16,975,000. Grant amounts ranged from $75,000 to $500,000, with a median of $150,000. The largest reported awards included $500,000 to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan for restoration and renovation of a landmark building, and $500,000 to Save the Children Federation for early learning in rural areas. Other awards included $350,000 to the New Museum for capital expansion and service capacity; $300,000 to the Center for Disability Services for its health care clinic; and $250,000 each to the National Park Foundation for environmental education, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation for early-career inflammatory bowel disease researchers, Carnegie Hall for music education, and Hunter College Foundation for its nursing program.
The Foundations receive more than 1,000 requests annually and report that about 300 receive funding. They state that, on average, 80% of annual funding goes to past grantees and 20% to new partners. Staff review proposals, conduct financial analysis and evaluate impact; the initial review generally takes four to six weeks before applicants are notified of a decline or next steps. Applicants advancing in the process receive a site visit before Board consideration. The Board meets quarterly, and the average time from submission to award is six months. After an award, grantees report on progress and results until funds are expended. Organizations must wait at least three years from an award date before another request will be considered; after a decline, they must wait at least one year before reapplying.
The Foundations do not fund organizations based outside the United States, organizations with audited expenses below $2 million, organizations undergoing leadership transitions or with new leadership in place for less than a year, or organizations lacking 501(c)(3) status and an IRS determination letter. They also exclude requests for festivals, tours, conferences, workshops or seminars; radio, film or television production; publications; advocacy or public policy research; fundraising events; seed money or pilot programs; established programs without demonstrable long-term impact; program-related investments; and scholarships or fellowships for recipients studying or residing outside the United States. Capital projects must be at least 50% toward their fundraising goal. Endowment grants and grants to faith-based organizations or organizations without regional or national support are considered only in limited cases.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing are Virginia H. Randt, President and Director; William R. Hearst III, Frank J. Bennack Jr., John G. Conomikes, David J. Barrett, Anissa B. Balson and Mark F. Miller, Vice Presidents and Directors; and James M. Asher, Vice President, Secretary and Director. Catherine A. Bostron and Eve B. Burton are listed as Assistant Secretaries.
The Hearst Foundation is led by Virginia H Randt, President Director on every filing since 2020; 2 of 20 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Virginia H Randt
President Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
James M Asher
Vice President & Secretary Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Mary Fisher
Treasurer Controller
Assistant Treasurer → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → Treasurer Controller, 2024
On filings since 2020
13 hrs/week
$55K (2020) → $65K (2024)
Donna Kalajian Lagani
Vice President Eastern Director
Vice President Executive Director → Vice President Eastern Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
13 hrs/week
$29K (2022) → $146K (2024)
Anissa B Balson
Vice President Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Carlton J Charles
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Catherine A Bostron
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
David J Barrett
Vice President Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Eve B Burton
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Frank J Bennack Jr.
Vice President Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
George R Hearst III
Vice President Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Lisa H Hagerman
Vice President Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Mark F Miller
Vice President Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Mitchell I Scherzer
Vice President Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Roger P Paschke
Assistant Treasurer CIO
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Steven R Swartz
Vice President Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
William R Hearst III
Vice President Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
John G Conomikes
Vice President Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Karen Alsup
Deputy Inv. Officer
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Gilbert C MaurerDeceased
Vice President Director
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Gilbert C Maurer (2020–2023) — Vice President Director
- Former: Paul Dinovitz (2020–2022) — Vice President Executive Director
- Former: John G Conomkies (2020) — Vice President Director
- Former: Ralph Cuomodeceased (2020) — Treasurer
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $146K, to Donna Kalajian Lagani (VP Eastern Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Hearst Foundation
How much does The Hearst Foundation give each year?
The Hearst Foundation gave $17.0M across 111 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $17.6M across 121 grants.
What is The Hearst Foundation's typical grant size?
The Hearst Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $150,000, and its average grant was $152,928, across 111 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Hearst Foundation that year got $144K on average.
Where does The Hearst Foundation give grants?
The Hearst Foundation's top state is New York, with 30% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (11%) and District of Columbia (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (20 grants), Washington, DC (7 grants), Chicago, IL (5 grants) and Boston, MA (5 grants).
Does The Hearst Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 13% of The Hearst Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (14 of 111) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Hearst Foundation's largest grantees?
The Hearst Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Children's Museum of Manhattan ($500,000), Save the Children Federation ($500,000) and New Museum ($350,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 8% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Hearst Foundation?
The Hearst Foundation reported $430.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $18.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $19.8M (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.
What does The Hearst Foundation fund?
The Foundations’ mission is to identify and fund outstanding nonprofits so people of all backgrounds in the United States can build healthy, productive and satisfying lives. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Hearst Foundation?
Applications are submitted through the Hearst Foundations Grants Portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Hearst Foundation's EIN?
The Hearst Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6161746. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Hearst Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-hearst-foundation-morg_0e92ade9363142469017e8c13aa571f5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_136161746_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Hearst Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-hearst-foundation-morg_0e92ade9363142469017e8c13aa571f5},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Hearst 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.
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