The Huntsman Foundation
The Huntsman Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1988 and based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Founded by Jon M. Huntsman and Karen Huntsman, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with a focus on philanthropic giving across multiple sectors. The foundation maintains offices at 500 S Huntsman Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108-1235.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$556.5M
+10.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$8.7M
-60.5% YoY
Grant Count
63
-11.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$138K
-55.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Huntsman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $25.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports cancer research and care, mental health initiatives, higher education, and community development efforts. In recent years, the foundation has undergone a significant organizational pivot toward mental health awareness and treatment, establishing the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. The foundation is raising awareness to eradicate the stigma around mental health in the community and country.
Primary funding areas include:
- Cancer research and treatment
- Mental health research, treatment, and education
- Higher education
- Public health and disease prevention
- Community development
- Programs serving women, children, and the homeless
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants on an invite-only basis. In 2024, the foundation made 72 grants. Recent notable grants include:
Ready to take the next step with The Huntsman Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds initiatives in Utah, with particular emphasis on Salt Lake City-based organizations and institutions. However, the foundation's reach extends beyond Utah through its support of national mental health initiatives and cancer research programs.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Data:
- Total Assets: $556,501,298
- Total Revenues: $21,275,892
- Total Expenses: $19,928,395
- Number of Employees: 4
The foundation remains asset-rich. A recent funding year showed approximately $7.2 million in annual giving, which represented less than half of typical annual giving levels.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $556,501,298 | $504,185,798 | $436,606,530 |
| Revenue | $21,275,892 | $10,456,591 | $-17,484,631 |
| Expenses | $19,928,395 | $27,957,529 | $42,944,068 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $28,511,380 | $23,095,309 | $39,185,153 |
| Net Investment Income | $10,878,166 | $8,129,390 | $2,547,786 |
| Distributable Amount | $25,073,066 | $29,271,050 | $29,794,655 |
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
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Huntsman World Senior Games ($1,800,000), Olson-huntsman Vision Foundation ($1,500,000), Fourth Street Clinic ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DIPLOMACY WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN FND FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| BALLET WEST SLC, UT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY - SCHOLARSHIP BOISE, ID | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| CARE LAB WASHINGTON DC, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES SALT LAKE CITY, UT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $325,000 |
| CENTER FOR A NEW AMERICAN SECURITY WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| CENTER FOR ECOLOGICAL CONSCIOUSNESS SHELTON, WA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| CHABAD LUBAVITCH OF UTAH SALT LAKE CITY, UT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $85,000 |
| CITIZENS COMMITTEE TO SAVE OUR CANYONS COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, UT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Jon M. Huntsman - Founder (deceased February 2018). He was the founder of Huntsman Corporation, a global chemical and manufacturing company, and co-founder of the Huntsman Cancer Institute.
Karen Huntsman - Co-founder. She and Jon Huntsman signed the Giving Pledge in 2010, committing to give away at least half of their wealth to philanthropy.
Peter R. Huntsman - Named Chief Executive Officer of the Huntsman Foundation in 2015. He is also Chief Executive of Huntsman Corporation.
Christena Huntsman Durham - Vice President of the Huntsman Family Foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PETER R HUNTSMAN | CEO/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KAREN H HUNTSMAN | CHAIR/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JAMES H HUNTSMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER H HUFFMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRISTENA DURHAM | EVP/VICE CHAIR/DIRECTOR | 20 | — |
| PAUL C HUNTSMAN | EVP/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JENNIFER H PARKIN | EVP/VICE CHAIR/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARK H HUNTSMAN | HONORARY DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DAVID H HUNTSMAN | PRESIDENT/COO/DIR | 30 | $670,438 |
| RONALD G MOFFITT | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| THOMAS E MUIR | VP/CFO/TREASURER | 5 | $289,769 |
| JON M HUNTSMAN JR | DIRECTOR (END 05/28/24) | 1 | — |
| ELIZABETH K HUNTSMAN | DIRECTOR (START 05/29/24) | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has demonstrated a major commitment to mental health initiatives in recent years:
U welcomes Christena Huntsman Durham as new trustee - Huntsman Mental HealthThe Huntsman Mental Health Institute is advancing psychiatry research, with plans for a new Mental Health Translational Research Building designed as the nation's first facility to co-locate mental health researchers with experts in science, artificial intelligence, policy, business, and law.
U welcomes Christena Huntsman Durham as new trustee - Huntsman Mental HealthChristena Huntsman Durham was welcomed as a new trustee, reflecting continued family involvement in foundation governance.
U welcomes Christena Huntsman Durham as new trustee - Huntsman Mental HealthThe foundation's humanitarian giving, including contributions to the homeless, the ill, and the underprivileged, exceeded $1.5 billion as of 2018.
Jon Huntsman was awarded the Philanthropy Roundtable's Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy Award in 2015.
In 2018, the foundation made a gift to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to establish the Harry Reid Endowed Chair in the History of the Intermountain West.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Huntsman Foundation fund?
The foundation supports cancer research and care, mental health initiatives, higher education, and community development efforts. In recent years, the foundation has undergone a significant organizational pivot toward mental health awareness and treatment, establishing the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. The foundation is raising awareness to eradicate the stigma around mental health in the community and country. Primary funding areas include: • Cancer research and treatment • Mental health r…
How do I apply for a grant from The Huntsman Foundation?
The foundation makes grants on an invite-only basis. In 2024, the foundation made 72 grants. Recent notable grants include: • World Senior Games: $1,800,000 (General Support, 2024) • Olson-Huntsman Vision Foundation: $1,500,000 (General Support, 2024) • Volunteers of America of Utah: $1,000,000 (General Support, 2024) The foundation does not maintain an extensive public website to guide grant seekers, reflecting its invite-only approach to grantmaking.
Where does The Huntsman Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds initiatives in Utah, with particular emphasis on Salt Lake City-based organizations and institutions. However, the foundation's reach extends beyond Utah through its support of national mental health initiatives and cancer research programs.
What size grants does The Huntsman Foundation award?
In 2024, The Huntsman Foundation awarded 63 grants totaling $8.7M — an average of about $138K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Huntsman Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Huntsman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $25.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Huntsman Foundation's EIN?
The Huntsman Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-2521914. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Huntsman Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Pacificfund14
KAYSVILLE, UT
Assets
$25K
Grants
1
Total Given
$21K
Animal Concepts Foundation Inc
OGDEN, UT
Assets
$295
Grants
1
Total Given
$25
One Against Childhood Hunger
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
Assets
$235K
Grants
21
Total Given
$371K
MTC Foundation
CENTERVILLE, UT
Assets
$12K
Grants
3
Total Given
$70K
Northern Utah Charities
OGDEN, UT
Assets
$24K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Ryan Lee Foundation
SANDY, UT
Assets
$72K
Grants
15
Total Given
$116K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Huntsman Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching The Huntsman Foundation to a real strategy.