The Hearst Foundation logo

The Hearst Foundation

NEW YORK, NY EIN: 13-6161746 Website

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.

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

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

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

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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

50states
+42 more states

Cities

AlbanyAlbuquerqueAlexandriaAllentownAltantaAnchorageAnn ArborAnnandale On HudsonAnnapolisArlingtonArllngtonAshevilleAshfieldAtlantaAustinBaltimoreBarreBaton RougeBelgradeBellevue

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)
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$13M$25M$38M$50M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
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

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$8M$16M$24M$32M205 grants2020142 grants2021151 grants2022121 grants2023111 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Children's Museum of Man…$500KSave the Children Federa…$500KNew Museum$350KNational Park Foundation$250KNew World Symphony$200KNew York City Center$200KNew York Foundation for …$200KOklahoma State University$200KSchool of the Art Instit…$200KSaint Louis Symphony Orc…$175K

Grant Size Distribution

250 grants across all recorded years

10<$50K45$50–100K160$100–250K25$250–500K9$500K–1M1$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Donna Kalajian LaganiVP Eastern Director$146KMary FisherTreasurer Controller$65K

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
Virginia H RandtPresident Director
William R Hearst IIIVice President Director
Frank J Bennack JrVice President Director
John G ConomikesVice President Director
David J BarrettVice President Director
Anissa B BalsonVice President Director
Mark F MillerVice President Director
James M AsherVP, Secretary Director
Catherine A BostronAssistant Secretary
Eve B BurtonAssistant Secretary
Carlton J CharlesAssistant Treasurer
Lisa H HagermanVice President Director
George R Hearst IIIVice President Director
Steven R SwartzVice President Director
Mitchell I ScherzerVice President Assist. Treas.
Gilbert C MaurerDeceased 2025Vice President Director
Roger P PaschkeAssistant Treasurer CIO
Karen AlsupDeputy Inv. Officer
Donna Kalajian LaganiVP Eastern Director13$146,189
Mary FisherTreasurer Controller13$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:

Phone: (212) 649-3748

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

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

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