The Henry Luce Foundation Inc
The Henry Luce Foundation is a private, independent grantmaking foundation established in 1936 by Henry R. Luce, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Time, Inc. Based in New York City, the Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and is classified as a private independent foundation. The organization was created as a tribute to Henry R. Luce's parents, Henry Winters Luce and Elizabeth Root Luce, who were missionary educators in China.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.1B
+3.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$49.3M
+7.6% YoY
Grant Count
652
+11.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$76K
-3.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Henry Luce Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $51.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Henry Luce Foundation seeks to deepen knowledge and understanding in pursuit of a more democratic and just world. The Foundation recognizes that deepening understanding is essential to advancing justice, democratic values, and a sustainable environment.
The Foundation invests in organizations, networks, and individuals who create, care for, and share knowledge for the benefit of their communities and the wider world. The Foundation believes that ideas, stories, data, creative expression, and scholarship are the tools that communities use to define themselves and their aspirations, to assert their rights, and to live and collaborate with others.
The Foundation advances its mission through grantmaking and leadership programs in the following areas:
- American Art — Supports projects that enhance public understanding and appreciation of American art
- Asia — Strengthens the field of Asia studies and international understanding
- Clare Boothe Luce Program for Women in STEM — Advances gender diversity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
- Democracy, Ethics, and Public Trust — Supports democratic institutions and civil society
- Indigenous Knowledge — Funds research and initiatives related to indigenous knowledge systems
- Luce Scholars Program — Leadership development program
- Public Policy — Supports policy research and analysis
- Religion and Theology — Encourages interfaith understanding and theological scholarship
- STEM Convergence — Supports interdisciplinary STEM research and teaching
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$150,000 (average)
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation focuses on US-based institutions with national geographic scope. The Foundation has historically played a critical role in strengthening fields and institutions across the United States, with particular emphasis on higher education institutions (over half of all grant monies awarded have been to higher education institutions).
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $1.13 billion
- Revenue: $81,008,278
- Expenses: $75,869,553
- Annual giving: Approximately $45.8 million (2023)
- Total liabilities: $55 million
Historical Context: The Foundation has awarded more than 5,800 grants totaling over $1 billion since its inception, with over half of all grant monies awarded to higher education institutions.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,132,206,450 | $1,090,872,427 | $1,070,353,319 |
| Revenue | $81,008,278 | $65,053,694 | $92,432,116 |
| Expenses | $75,869,553 | $62,248,104 | $59,746,032 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $62,271,916 | $55,767,026 | $57,993,205 |
| Net Investment Income | $67,024,987 | $62,563,928 | $73,846,575 |
| Distributable Amount | $51,845,455 | $52,125,178 | $54,510,567 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
9 open opportunities from The Henry Luce Foundation Inc
American Art Program- Exhibition Competition Grants
The Henry Luce Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Asia: Responsive Grants
The Henry Luce Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Clare Boothe Luce Program for Women in STEM Grant
The Henry Luce Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to US $750,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include American Council of Learned Societies ($1,250,000), American Council of Learned Societies ($406,668), AAPI Civic Engagement Fund ($300,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AAPI Civic Engagement Fund Los Angeles, CA | Support for civic engagement | $300,000 |
| AAPI Civic Engagement Fund Los Angeles, CA | Support for civic engagement | $100,000 |
| Abbe Museum Bar Harbor, ME | Support for a conference | $75,000 |
| Ackland Art Museum The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC | General Operating Support | $2,500 |
| Adriana Golden New York, NY | Luce Scholar Stipends | $19,234 |
| Agnes Scott College Decatur, GA | General Operating Support | $10,000 |
| Agnes Scott College Decatur, GA | General Operating Support | $24,000 |
| Alaska Native Heritage Center Anchorage, AK | Support for an art exhibition | $175,000 |
| Alaska Native Museum Sovereignty Anchorage, AK | Support for a museum | $25,000 |
| Amalgamated Foundation Washington, DC | Support for advocacy of higher education | $250,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board and Staff:
- Sean T Buffington — Vice President, Interim President (as of September 15, 2024)
- Terrence B Adamson — Co-Chair & Director
- Debra S Knopman — Co-Chair & Director
- Dr. Elizabeth Broun — Director
- Dr. Mary Brown Bullock — Director
- Margaret Boles Fitzgerald — Director
- Dr. John J Hamre — Director
- Dr. Kenneth T Jackson — Director
- Thomas L Pulling — Director
- Dr. Mariko Silver — President & Director (through September 15, 2024)
Leadership Transition: Jonathan Holloway, currently president of Rutgers University, has been appointed as the new President and CEO, effective October 1, 2025.
The Foundation employs approximately 37 people.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation announced a $25 million increase in grantmaking over two years to support democratic institutions and civil society during challenging times (2024)
Henry Luce Foundation Awards $175,000 Grant to Support Beyond Museum WallsAwarded $4.4 million to invited colleges and universities through the Clare Boothe Luce Program for Women in STEM
Henry Luce Foundation awards $4.4 million to invited colleges and universities\Awarded $12.3 million to advance gender diversity in STEM
The Luce Foundation Awards $12.3 Million to Advance Gender Diversity in STEMAwarded $175,000 grant to support the Beyond Museum Walls Project
Henry Luce Foundation Awards $175,000 Grant to Support Beyond Museum WallsAwarded $1 million grant to support pro bono legal services
Henry Luce Foundation Awards $175,000 Grant to Support Beyond Museum WallsAwarded a five-year grant to support Indigenous Knowledge and Climate Change Research
Henry Luce Foundation Awards $175,000 Grant to Support Beyond Museum WallsContact Information
Address: 41 Madison Avenue, 27th Floor New York, NY 10010
Phone: 212.489.7700
Fax: 212.581.9541
Email: [email protected]
Grant Inquiries: [email protected]
Portal Support: [email protected]
Website: hluce.org
Compliance Officer: Brian Murphy ([email protected]) — for anonymous reporting of complaints or concerns
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Henry Luce Foundation Inc fund?
The Henry Luce Foundation seeks to deepen knowledge and understanding in pursuit of a more democratic and just world. The Foundation recognizes that deepening understanding is essential to advancing justice, democratic values, and a sustainable environment. The Foundation invests in organizations, networks, and individuals who create, care for, and share knowledge for the benefit of their communities and the wider world. The Foundation believes that ideas, stories, data, creative expression, an…
How do I apply for a grant from The Henry Luce Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • Has awarded more than 7,500 grants totaling more than $1.3 billion since inception • Typical grant size: $150,000 (average) • Grant range: $10,000 to $1,000,000 • Median grant: $50,000 • Range reported in recent filings: $75,000 to $1,300,000 **Application & Decision Process:** • Board decision meetings held three times annually (March, June, November) • Decision time: 3-4 months minimum • Applicants should visit the Foundation's website to learn about specific programs an…
Where does The Henry Luce Foundation Inc make grants?
The Foundation focuses on US-based institutions with national geographic scope. The Foundation has historically played a critical role in strengthening fields and institutions across the United States, with particular emphasis on higher education institutions (over half of all grant monies awarded have been to higher education institutions).
What size grants does The Henry Luce Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Henry Luce Foundation Inc awarded 652 grants totaling $49.3M — an average of about $76K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Henry Luce Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Henry Luce Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $51.8M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Henry Luce Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Henry Luce Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6001282. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Henry Luce Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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