The Human Progress Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Irvine, CA EIN: 45-0556567

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

Brigham Young University: $125KBrigham Young University$125KChoc Foundation: $25KChoc Foundation$25KKou Family Foundation DBA Cure for PC Foundation: $20KKou Family Foundation DBA Curefor PC Foundation$20KWorld Affairs Council of Orange County: $15KWorld Affairs Council ofOrange County$15KUNICEF USA: $10KUNICEF USA$10KArrowbear Music Associates an Educational Corporation: $10KArrowbear Music Associates anEducational Corporation$10KThe Literacy Project: $10KThe Literacy Project$10KNebo Education Foundation: $10KNebo Education Foundation$10KInternational Rescue Committee Inc: $8KInternational Rescue CommitteeInc$8KAmerican Red Cross: $5KAmerican Red Cross$5K

The largest 2024 recipient was Brigham Young University ($125K). Together the top 10 received $238K.

Grant Size Distribution

20 grants across all recorded years

18<$50K$50–100K2$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

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

4states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.

Cities

New YorkSpanish ForkWashingtonFountain ValleyGlendaleIrvineLakewoodNew York CityNewport BeachOrangeProvoVernon

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

$0$100K$200K$300K0 grants2020 1 grant2021 7 grants2022 2 grants2023 10 grants2024

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
Brigham Young University Provo, UTTo assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life.$125,000
Choc Foundation Orange, CAImproves 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, CACancer 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, CATo educate and inform its members and community citizens on important issues concerning world affairs.$15,000
UNICEF USA New York, NYTo provide humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide$10,000
Arrowbear Music Associates an Educational Corporation Lakewood, CATo 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, CATo eliminate the literacy gap of emerging, under-served, second and third graders who are functionally illiterate.$10,000
Nebo Education Foundation Spanish Fork, UTCommitted to Providing Resources to Enrich Student Learning.$10,000
International Rescue Committee Inc New York City, NYTo 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, DCTo provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, making it a charitable institution.$5,000
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with The Human Progress Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsDistributable Amount
2024$1,907—$251,041$238,00010$246,075$13,303
2023$252,948$250,000$108,202$105,2272$107,342$1,529
2022$111,150$100,000$16,254$16,1147$16,184$1,361
2021$27,404$25,000$345$3001$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

Daniel C Hales — Director: $10KDaniel C HalesDirector$10K

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

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
  3. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 23, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 8, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
  6. 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.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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?

Want AI to do this for you?