The Henry Luce Foundation Inc
The Henry Luce Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in New York, New York. It supports organizations and institutions working in education, research, knowledge-sharing, and leadership development, with grantmaking across areas including American art, Asia, democracy and civic life, Indigenous knowledge, and religion and theology.
The Henry Luce Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Henry Luce Foundation Inc gave $49.3M across 652 grants in 2024 (avg $76K), top state New York. 41% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $49,274,542
- +7.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 652
- +11.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $75,574
- -3.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $1,132,206,450
- +3.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 41% first-time grantees (202 of 489, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (19% 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 Henry Luce Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
Submit inquiries and proposals through the online portal. Applicants should review the goals and guidelines for the relevant program before submitting a concept note. Concept notes are reviewed within eight weeks; selected applicants are invited to submit detailed proposals. The Foundation does not support healthcare or medical initiatives, disaster relief, international development projects, political parties, campaigns, lobbyists or political activities, or annual funds, fundraising events, endowments, or building campaigns.
- Review Cycle
- None stated on the filing.
- Deadline
- None stated on the filing.
- Contact
Application contact: Online Portal
Mailing address: 41 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010
Phone: (212) 489-7700
Email: grants@hluce.org
Website: https://hluce.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
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
Deadline not published
Asia: Responsive Grants
The Henry Luce Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Clare Boothe Luce Program for Women in STEM Grant
The Henry Luce Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to US $750,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Henry Luce Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was American Council of Learned Societies ($1.8M across 5 grants). Together the top 10 received $6.7M.
Organizations only. It also paid 45 grants to individuals ($3,360,037), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
2,438 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,028 grants of 2,438 (42%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s general guidelines say it typically funds U.S. not-for-profit organizations or their international equivalents. In 2024, New York recipients received 19% of grant dollars, recipients in Washington, D.C. received 14%, California 11%, Colorado 7%, and Massachusetts 5%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 652 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Henry Luce Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
41%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 202 of 489 grantees (41%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $68K; repeat grants $122K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $75K repeat.
- 48% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+11%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 120% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $41.4M (2020) to $49.3M (2024). In 2024 it made 652 grants totaling $49.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Council of Learned Societies New York, NY | Support for academic fellowships | $1,250,000 |
| 4 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $2,100,000 |
| Colby College Waterville, ME | Support for the Clare Boothe Luce STEM program | $458,200 |
| Creighton University Omaha, NE | Support for the Clare Boothe Luce STEM program | $458,200 |
| Fordham University The Bronx, NY | Support for the Clare Boothe Luce STEM program | $458,200 |
| Georgetown University Washington, DC | Support for the Clare Boothe Luce STEM program | $458,200 |
| Marymount University Arlington, VA | Support for the Clare Boothe Luce STEM program | $458,200 |
| Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, MA | Support for the Clare Boothe Luce STEM program | $458,200 |
| Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA | Support for the Clare Boothe Luce STEM program | $458,200 |
| Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ | Support for the Clare Boothe Luce STEM program | $458,200 |
Ready to take the next step with The Henry Luce Foundation Inc?
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 | $1,132,206,450 | $81,008,278 | $75,869,553 | $49,274,542 | 652 | $62,271,916 | $67,024,987 | $51,845,455 |
| 2023 | $1,090,872,427 | $65,053,694 | $62,248,104 | $45,815,205 | 585 | $55,767,026 | $62,563,928 | $52,125,178 |
| 2022 | $1,070,353,319 | $92,432,116 | $59,746,032 | $47,413,132 | 561 | $57,993,205 | $73,846,575 | $54,510,567 |
| 2021 | $1,226,277,880 | $84,818,070 | $59,578,242 | $44,247,373 | 321 | $52,212,872 | $81,144,122 | $52,249,294 |
| 2020 | $1,038,042,559 | $73,513,240 | $59,161,582 | $41,432,295 | 319 | — | $24,748,800 | $43,750,022 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to deepen knowledge and understanding in pursuit of a more democratic and just world. It says it works by nurturing knowledge communities and institutions, fostering dialogue across divides, enriching public discourse, amplifying diverse voices, and investing in leadership development.
Its grantmaking programs include American Art, Asia, the Democracy & Civic Life Initiative, the Indigenous Knowledge Initiative, and Religion & Theology. The Luce Scholars Program provides fellowships for individuals and does not award grants. The Foundation typically makes grants to U.S. not-for-profit organizations or their international equivalents; grants are made to institutions, not directly to individuals, except through the Luce Scholars Program.
Among its 2024 grantees, the American Council of Learned Societies describes its mission as advancing humanistic studies and strengthening relations among societies devoted to those studies. An individual recipient Development Institute says it works to improve economic conditions for Native Americans through technical assistance and training, advocacy and policy, and direct financial grants.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 652 grants totaling $49,274,542. Grant amounts ranged from $75 to $1,250,000, with a median of $50,000.
Notable 2024 grants included $1,250,000 to the American Council of Learned Societies for academic fellowships and grants of $750,000, $550,000, and $500,000 to an individual recipient Development Institute for fellowships. Eight colleges and universities each received $458,200 to support the Clare Boothe Luce STEM program.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Terrence B. Adamson and Dr. Debra S. Knopman as co-chairs and directors. It lists Sean T. Buffington as vice president and interim president as of September 15, 2024. Other directors listed were Dr. Elizabeth Broun, Dr. Mary Brown Bullock, Margaret Boles Fitzgerald, Dr. Claire L. Gaudiani (through October 16, 2024), Dr. John J. Hamre, Dr. Kenneth T. Jackson, and Thomas L. Pulling.
The Henry Luce Foundation Inc is led by Mariko Silver, President & Director on every filing since 2020; 19 of 20 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Mariko Silver
President & Director
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$713K (2020) → $704K (2024)
Sean T. Buffington
Vice President & Interim President
Vice President → Vice President & Interim President, 2024
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$283K (2020) → $399K (2024)
Claire L. Gaudiani
Director
On filings since 2020
3.5 hrs/week
$25K (2020) → $20K (2024)
Debra S. Knopman
Co-Chair & Director
Director → Director & Co-Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
7 hrs/week
$25K (2020) → $35K (2024)
Elizabeth Broun
Director
On filings since 2020
3.5 hrs/week
$25K (2020) → $25K (2024)
GEORGE E RUPP
Director
On filings since 2020
3.5 hrs/week
$25K (2020) → $25K (2024)
H. Christopher Luce
Director
On filings since 2020
3.5 hrs/week
$25K (2020) → $2K (2024)
John J. Hamre
Director
On filings since 2020
3.5 hrs/week
$25K (2020) → $25K (2024)
Kenneth T. Jackson
Director
On filings since 2020
3.5 hrs/week
$25K (2020) → $25K (2024)
Margaret Boles Fitzgerald
Director
Chair & Director → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
3.5 hrs/week
$75K (2020) → $25K (2024)
Mary Brown Bullock
Director
On filings since 2020
3.5 hrs/week
$25K (2020) → $25K (2024)
Pauline Yu
Director
On filings since 2020
3.5 hrs/week
$25K (2020) → $25K (2024)
Terrence B. Adamson
Co-Chair & Director
Director → Director & Co-Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
7 hrs/week
$25K (2020) → $35K (2024)
Thomas L. Pulling
Director
On filings since 2020
3.5 hrs/week
$25K (2020) → $25K (2024)
Joanne Berger- Sweeney
Director
On filings since 2022
3.5 hrs/week
$25K (2022) → $25K (2024)
Ian H Solomon
Director
On filings since 2023
3.5 hrs/week
$6K (2023) → $25K (2024)
Sewell Chan
Director
On filings since 2023
3.5 hrs/week
$6K (2023) → $25K (2024)
Andrew Blau
Director
New on the 2024 filing
3.5 hrs/week
$7K (2024)
Kevin Gover
Director
On filings since 2023
3.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian F Murphy
CFO & Treasurer
On filings since 2023
35 hrs/week
$316K (2023) → $383K (2024)
Former officers (4)
- Former: Staci Salomon (2020–2023) — CFO & Treasurer
- Former: Change In Accruals (2020–2021) — For Staff
- Former: Joanne Berger-Sweeney (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Toby Volkman (2020–2021) — Secretary
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 $704K, to Dr Mariko Silver (PRESIDENT & Director through 9/15/2024). 19 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Henry Luce Foundation Inc
How much does The Henry Luce Foundation Inc give each year?
The Henry Luce Foundation Inc gave $49.3M across 652 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $45.8M across 585 grants.
What is The Henry Luce Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Henry Luce Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $75,574, across 652 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Henry Luce Foundation Inc that year got $68K on average.
Where does The Henry Luce Foundation Inc give grants?
The Henry Luce Foundation Inc's top state is New York, with 19% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (14%) and California (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (98 grants), Washington, DC (66 grants), Boston, MA (16 grants) and Los Angeles, CA (15 grants).
Does The Henry Luce Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 43% of The Henry Luce Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (280 of 652) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Support for an art exhibition" (38 grants), "Luce Scholar Stipends" (35 grants) and "Support for gallery improvements and installation of artwork" (18 grants).
Who are The Henry Luce Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Henry Luce Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include American Council of Learned Societies ($1,808,643 across 5 grants), National Museum of American History Smithsonian Institution ($800,000 across 3 grants) and Georgetown University ($603,200 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 45 grants to individuals ($3,360,037), which are not listed by name. Together they received 7% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Henry Luce Foundation Inc?
The Henry Luce Foundation Inc reported $1.1B in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $62.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $51.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Henry Luce Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to deepen knowledge and understanding in pursuit of a more democratic and just world. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Henry Luce Foundation Inc?
Submit inquiries and proposals through the online portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 6, 2021)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Henry Luce Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-henry-luce-foundation-inc-morg_3524860f4c1d431b942a71c8c4a17dd7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_136001282_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Henry Luce Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-henry-luce-foundation-inc-morg_3524860f4c1d431b942a71c8c4a17dd7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Henry Luce Foundation Inc'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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