The Human Progress Foundation
The Human Progress Foundation is a private foundation based in Irvine, California. It makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and, in 2024, gave grants to organizations working in areas including education, children’s health, cancer research, international affairs, humanitarian aid, and disaster relief.
The Human Progress Foundation at a glance
In short: The Human Progress Foundation gave $238K across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $24K), mostly in Utah. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $238,000
- +126.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- +400.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $23,800
- -54.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $1,907
- -99.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Utah (57% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Human Progress Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2372 Morse Avenue, Irvine, CA 92614
Phone: (949) 852-8181
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Human Progress Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Brigham Young University ($125K). Together the top 10 received $238K.
Grant Size Distribution
20 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 18 grants of 20 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars went to recipients in Utah (57%), California (34%), New York (8%), and Washington, DC (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Human Progress Foundation gives
- Giving grew 79233% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $300 (2021) to $238K (2024). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $238K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Brigham Young University Provo, UT | To assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life. | $125,000 |
| Choc Foundation Orange, CA | Improves the health and well-being of children through clinical expertise, advocacy, outreach, education and research. | $25,000 |
| Kou Family Foundation DBA Cure for PC Foundation Vernon, CA | Cancer research funds to support dr. Nicholas nissen at purplestride los angeles 2022 and the ralph h. Hruban, m.d. Professorship at the pathology department for usc howard li. | $20,000 |
| World Affairs Council of Orange County Irvine, CA | To educate and inform its members and community citizens on important issues concerning world affairs. | $15,000 |
| UNICEF USA New York, NY | To provide humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide | $10,000 |
| Arrowbear Music Associates an Educational Corporation Lakewood, CA | To provide scholarships to young people from elementary school age through college age so that they may participate in the educational experience of attending a summer music camp in the specific areas of instrumental and/or vocal music. | $10,000 |
| The Literacy Project Newport Beach, CA | To eliminate the literacy gap of emerging, under-served, second and third graders who are functionally illiterate. | $10,000 |
| Nebo Education Foundation Spanish Fork, UT | Committed to Providing Resources to Enrich Student Learning. | $10,000 |
| International Rescue Committee Inc New York City, NY | To provide rapid relief like food, water and medical care where it's needed most, along with the critical long-term support families need to survive, recover and rebuild their lives. | $8,000 |
| American Red Cross Washington, DC | To provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, making it a charitable institution. | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Human Progress Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,907 | — | $251,041 | $238,000 | 10 | $246,075 | $13,303 |
| 2023 | $252,948 | $250,000 | $108,202 | $105,227 | 2 | $107,342 | $1,529 |
| 2022 | $111,150 | $100,000 | $16,254 | $16,114 | 7 | $16,184 | $1,361 |
| 2021 | $27,404 | $25,000 | $345 | $300 | 1 | $45 | $186 |
| 2020 | $2,749 | — | — | — | — | — | $135 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Human Progress Foundation reported a distributable amount of $13K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No separate mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations with varied purposes. CHOC Foundation says it supports clinical and nonclinical services, medical education, research, and related pediatric fields at Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Children’s Hospital at Mission, and their affiliates. Nebo Education Foundation says it supports programs and activities that enhance education quality and access for students in the Nebo School District.
The Literacy Project describes a program in which a master teacher teaches groups of six students to read in 30 game-format lessons, focusing on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The International Rescue Committee says it responds to humanitarian crises and helps people affected by conflict and disaster survive, recover, and gain control of their futures.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave 10 grants totaling $238,000. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $125,000, with a median of $10,000.
Notable 2024 grants included:
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Daniel C. Hales was listed as a director on the 2024 filing.
The Human Progress Foundation is led by Daniel C. Hales, Director on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Daniel C. Hales
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$2K (2023) → $10K (2024)
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 $10K, to Daniel C Hales (Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Human Progress Foundation
How much does The Human Progress Foundation give each year?
The Human Progress Foundation gave $238K across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $105K across 2 grants.
What is The Human Progress Foundation's typical grant size?
The Human Progress Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $23,800, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Human Progress Foundation give grants?
The Human Progress Foundation gives mostly in Utah: 57% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (34%) and New York (8%).
Does The Human Progress Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on The Human Progress Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Human Progress Foundation's largest grantees?
The Human Progress Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Brigham Young University ($125,000), Choc Foundation ($25,000) and Kou Family Foundation DBA Cure for PC Foundation ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 71% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Human Progress Foundation?
The Human Progress Foundation reported $2K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $246K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $13K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Human Progress Foundation fund?
No separate mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations with varied purposes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Human Progress Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Human Progress Foundation's EIN?
The Human Progress Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-0556567. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Human Progress Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 23, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Human Progress Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in California
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
Larry H Miller and Gail Miller Family Foundation
Sandy, UT
The foundation supports shelter and food security, jobs and economic self-reliance, and healthcare, with most of its giving focused on Utah. In 2024, it made 324 grants totaling $33.2 million; the median grant was $25,000, though awards ranged from $1,000 to over $10 million. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$773.9M
Grants
324
Total Given
$33.2M
Edwards Lifesciences Foundation
Irvine, CA
Edwards Lifesciences Foundation funds access to care for underserved structural heart patients, along with health, education, and economic-opportunity programs in communities where Edwards employees live and work; some specific projects outside the U.S. may also be eligible. Its 2024 grants had a median of $7,500, though awards ranged widely; it describes an annual application cycle but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$81.4M
Grants
224
Total Given
$9.0M
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation supports nonprofits through discretionary and donor-directed grants, with discretionary priorities including education, health, housing and immigration, alongside other areas such as arts, civic engagement and economic opportunity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and its work is focused on Los Angeles County; prospective discretionary applicants are asked to contact the relevant program officer before submitting a letter of intent.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, democracy, gender equity, racial justice, and efforts to strengthen nonprofits and philanthropy, with work spanning the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, and locations including East and West Africa and Mexico. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $150,000, though amounts varied widely. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, but sometimes invites proposals through open processes.
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
Marin Community Foundation
Novato, CA
Marin Community Foundation funds work in affordable housing and homelessness, community resilience and power, as well as social services, education, arts and conservation, with a focus on marginalized Marin County residents and some broader U.S. and international grantmaking. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,573
Total Given
$186.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Human Progress Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-human-progress-foundation-morg_6ba329ef525747daaccfeb39db4088e8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_450556567_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Human Progress Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-human-progress-foundation-morg_6ba329ef525747daaccfeb39db4088e8},
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 Human Progress Foundation'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.
The Human Progress Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?