The Hilt Foundation
The Hilt Foundation is a private foundation, based in The Villages, FL. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $2.0M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $105K. Net investment income was $72K.
The Hilt Foundation at a glance
In short: The Hilt Foundation gave $105K across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $21K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $104,905
- -17.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 5
- -28.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $20,981
- +15.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,405
- Total assets
- $1,987,983
- +0.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Hilt Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Community Foundation for Muskegon ($95K). Together the top 5 received $105K.
Grant Size Distribution
28 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 22 grants of 28 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Hilt Foundation gives
- Giving fell 24% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 83% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $16K (2019) to $137K (2022). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $105K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Foundation for Muskegon Muskegon, MI | Mmaf Capital Campaign and Other | $95,000 |
| Friends of the Playhouse Whitehall, MI | Gen Funding | $5,000 |
| Arts Council of Whitelake Whitelake, MI | Gen Funding | $3,405 |
| Milwaukee Clipper Muskegon, MI | Matching Funds | $1,000 |
| Muskegon Rescue Mission Muskegon, MI | Gen Funding | $500 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,987,983 | $180,440 | $162,883 | $104,905 | 5 | $129,979 | $71,666 | $157,542 |
| 2024 | $1,970,426 | $102,977 | $190,484 | $127,050 | 7 | $163,866 | $66,218 | $142,344 |
| 2023 | $2,057,831 | $123,699 | $126,803 | $75,600 | 4 | $104,396 | $101,292 | $133,583 |
| 2022 | $2,060,396 | $54,446 | $194,475 | $137,200 | 8 | $165,689 | $34,019 | $138,465 |
| 2021 | $2,199,755 | $218,114 | $177,563 | $120,500 | 4 | $146,965 | $187,516 | $145,853 |
| 2020 | $2,156,568 | $107,258 | $79,525 | $27,700 | 9 | — | $84,564 | $137,490 |
| 2019 | $2,124,216 | $98,371 | $73,061 | $16,450 | 6 | — | $41,760 | $103,173 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Hilt Foundation reported a distributable amount of $158K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Hilt Foundation is led by John L. Hilt, President on every filing since 2019; all 4 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
John L. Hilt
President
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
$20K (2024) → $20K (2025)
David Hilt
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$3K (2024) → $1K (2025)
Heather Hensell
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$3K (2024) → $1K (2025)
Robert Hilt
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$3K (2024) → $1K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $20K, to John Hilt (President). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Hilt Foundation
How much does The Hilt Foundation give each year?
The Hilt Foundation gave $105K across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $127K across 7 grants.
What is The Hilt Foundation's typical grant size?
The Hilt Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $3,405, and its average grant was $20,981, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Hilt Foundation give grants?
The Hilt Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Muskegon, MI (3 grants).
Does The Hilt Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on The Hilt Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Gen Funding" (3 grants).
Who are The Hilt Foundation's largest grantees?
The Hilt Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Community Foundation for Muskegon ($95,000), Friends of the Playhouse ($5,000) and Arts Council of Whitelake ($3,405), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 99% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Hilt Foundation?
The Hilt Foundation reported $2.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $130K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $158K (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 is The Hilt Foundation's EIN?
The Hilt Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3306839. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 7, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 27, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 1, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 30, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Live grants for the work The Hilt Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Hilt Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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The Hilt Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?