The Hearst Foundation
The Hearst Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking foundation based in New York, NY, established in 1946 by publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst. The foundation operates jointly with The William Randolph Hearst Foundation (founded 1949). Together, the Hearst Foundations represent major national philanthropic resources with combined assets of $1.3 billion. Since inception, they have awarded over $1.5 billion across more than 22,730 grants to 6,400 organizations.
Key facts about The Hearst Foundation
- EIN
- 13-6161746
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $16,975,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 111
- Average grant
- $152,928
- Median grant
- $150,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 62% first-time grantees (69 of 111, 2024)
- Total assets
- $430,327,798
- Primary geography
- New York (30% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who The Hearst Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Hearst Foundation's 111 itemized 2024 grants were New York (30%), 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). 13% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Is The Hearst Foundation open to new grantees?
62%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 69 of 111 grantees (62%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $144K; repeat grants $167K. 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 IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with The Hearst Foundation
- How to evaluate The Hearst Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to The Hearst Foundation with AI
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- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$430.3M
+9.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$17.0M
-3.3% YoY
Grant Count
111
-8.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$153K
+5.4% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Hearst Foundations identify and fund outstanding nonprofits working to ensure people of all backgrounds in the United States have the opportunity to build healthy, productive, and inspiring lives.
Primary funding areas include:
- Culture
- Education
- Health
- Social Services
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundations made 283 grants totaling $68.075 million.
Grant Range
** $100,000 - $10,000,000+
How to Apply
** Rolling applications
Ready to take the next step with The Hearst Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Hearst Foundations focus on funding throughout the United States (national scope), with particular activity noted in New York, California, and Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 111 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $394 million
- Total Revenue: $36.04 million
- Total Expenses: $21.2 million
- Total Liabilities: $4.39 million
- Annual Giving: $68.075 million (283 grants)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $430,327,798 | $394,053,165 | $343,830,760 |
| Revenue | $31,733,344 | $36,040,396 | $-10,343,194 |
| Expenses | $21,946,437 | $21,244,744 | $23,014,690 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $18,864,502 | $19,206,029 | $20,532,220 |
| Net Investment Income | $37,008,717 | $19,934,346 | $10,786,869 |
| Distributable Amount | $19,797,161 | $17,217,317 | $18,647,288 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
730 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Children's Museum of Manhattan ($500,000), Save the Children Federation ($500,000), New Museum ($350,000).
| 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 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia H Randt | President Director | — | — |
| William R Hearst III | Vice President Director | — | — |
| Frank J Bennack Jr | Vice President Director | — | — |
| John G Conomikes | Vice President Director | — | — |
| David J Barrett | Vice President Director | — | — |
| Anissa B Balson | Vice President Director | — | — |
| Mark F Miller | Vice President Director | — | — |
| James M Asher | VP, Secretary Director | — | — |
| Catherine A Bostron | Assistant Secretary | — | — |
| Eve B Burton | Assistant Secretary | — | — |
| Carlton J Charles | Assistant Treasurer | — | — |
| Lisa H Hagerman | Vice President Director | — | — |
| George R Hearst III | Vice President Director | — | — |
| Steven R Swartz | Vice President Director | — | — |
| Mitchell I Scherzer | Vice President Assist. Treas. | — | — |
| Gilbert C MaurerDeceased 2025 | Vice President Director | — | — |
| Roger P Paschke | Assistant Treasurer CIO | — | — |
| Karen Alsup | Deputy Inv. Officer | — | — |
| Donna Kalajian Lagani | VP Eastern Director | 13 | $146,189 |
| Mary Fisher | Treasurer Controller | 13 | $64,672 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Hearst Foundations have announced grant awards on a seasonal basis, with spring and fall grant announcements. Recent activity includes relief aid awards to Los Angeles-based organizations.
Hearst Foundations Award $3 Million in Relief Aid to Nine Los ...Contact Information
Website: https://www.hearstfdn.org
Address: 300 W 57th Street, Floor 26, New York, NY 10019
Regional Contacts:
- West of the Mississippi River: support.sf@hearstfdn.org
- East of the Mississippi River: support.ny@hearstfdn.org
Phone: (212) 649-3748
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Hearst Foundation fund?
The Hearst Foundations identify and fund outstanding nonprofits working to ensure people of all backgrounds in the United States have the opportunity to build healthy, productive, and inspiring lives. Primary funding areas include: • Culture • Education • Health • Social Services
How do I apply for a grant from The Hearst Foundation?
• **Grant Range:** $100,000 - $10,000,000+ • **Typical Awards:** $50,000 - $500,000 • **Application Process:** Rolling applications • **Decision Timeline:** Approximately 6 months • **Success Rate:** 30% overall (5% for new applicants) In 2023, the foundations made 283 grants totaling $68.075 million. **United States Senate Youth Program:** An educational experience for outstanding high school students to spend a week in Washington experiencing their national government in action. **Hearst Jour…
Where does The Hearst Foundation make grants?
The Hearst Foundations focus on funding throughout the United States (national scope), with particular activity noted in New York, California, and Massachusetts.
What size grants does The Hearst Foundation award?
In 2024, The Hearst Foundation awarded 111 grants totaling $17.0M — an average of about $153K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Hearst Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Hearst Foundation reported a distributable amount of $19.8M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.