The Packard Humanities Institute
The Packard Humanities Institute (PHI) is a private foundation based in Los Altos, California. It describes its work as dedicated to archaeology, music, film preservation, and historical archives.
The Packard Humanities Institute at a glance
In short: The Packard Humanities Institute gave $3.7M across 8 grants in 2024 (avg $459K), top state California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,669,040
- -62.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 8
- -52.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $458,630
- -20.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $281,000
- Total assets
- $918,496,536
- +7.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (35% 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 Packard Humanities Institute
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Contact
Mailing address: 300 Second Street, Los Altos, CA 94022
Phone: (650) 948-0150
Website: https://www.packhum.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Packard Humanities Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Irish Institute of Hellenic Studies Athens ($1.4M). Together the top 7 received $3.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
83 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 24 grants of 83 (29%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grants listed support organizations in California and New York, as well as institutions identified in Athens, Oxford, and Leiden. PHI’s website also describes its support for archaeological work at the Agora of Athens and its collaboration with the UCLA Film and Television Archive.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Packard Humanities Institute gives
- Giving fell 63% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 44% 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3.6M (2020) to $22.3M (2022). In 2024 it made 8 grants totaling $3.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Irish Institute of Hellenic Studies Athens | To support the purchase of building to house the irish isntitute | $1,400,000 |
| Stanford Theatre Foundation Los Altos, CA | To Support Stanford Theatre Building Refurbishment | $1,000,000 |
| University of Oxford | Charitable Donation | $320,000 |
| American School in Athens | To Support the Agora Excavations Poject | $312,000 |
| Leiden University | To support for the study of the hinterland of medieval chalkida | $250,000 |
| Stanford Theatre Foundation Los Altos, CA | To Support Stanford Theatre General Operating Expenses. | $200,000 |
| UCLA Film Archive Santa Clarita, CA | To SOF Collection Services Staff Salaries and Benefits | $100,000 |
| George Eastman Museum Rochester, NY | To Support Funding of Staffing Positions | $87,040 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $918,496,536 | $16,233,758 | $23,032,313 | $3,669,040 | 8 | $16,375,516 | $12,542,121 | $37,154,072 |
| 2023 | $853,186,056 | $14,352,831 | $25,790,468 | $9,835,277 | 17 | $49,488,473 | $12,340,875 | $31,752,848 |
| 2022 | $833,843,798 | $16,849,267 | $36,056,188 | $22,259,300 | 21 | $32,540,769 | $18,955,247 | $31,354,845 |
| 2021 | $863,900,364 | $102,577,308 | $22,901,719 | $9,878,309 | 21 | $18,142,751 | $102,320,457 | $31,594,186 |
| 2020 | $841,661,728 | $42,483,862 | $16,534,032 | $3,609,500 | 16 | — | $42,638,243 | $28,871,201 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Packard Humanities Institute reported a distributable amount of $37.2M 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
PHI describes its focus as archaeology, music, film preservation, and historical archives. Its stated direct charitable activities include preserving, editing, and disseminating historical music and documents, as well as supporting the PHI Stoa and film preservation and digitization projects.
Its 2024 grants included support for archaeological excavations and research, a theatre building refurbishment and operations, film archive services, museum staffing, and the purchase of a building for the Irish Institute of Hellenic Studies. The George Eastman Museum, which received a grant, describes its own mission as providing leadership in photography and cinema, preserving and developing its collections and George Eastman’s estate, and serving its communities.
Grantmaking
PHI reported eight grants totaling $3,669,040 in 2024. The listed grants ranged from $87,040 to $1,400,000, with a median of $281,000. Recipients included the Irish Institute of Hellenic Studies in Athens ($1,400,000), Stanford Theatre Foundation ($1,200,000 across two grants), the University of Oxford ($320,000), the American School in Athens ($312,000), Leiden University ($250,000), UCLA Film Archive ($100,000), and the George Eastman Museum ($87,040).
PHI states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists David W. Packard as president, chair, and director; Barbara P. Wright as secretary; and Si White as treasurer and CFO. Directors listed are Walter B. Hewlett, William A. Johnson, Christoph J. Wolff, Richard Hodges, Arianna Packard Martell, and Woodley Packard.
The Packard Humanities Institute is led by David W. Packard, President, Chair & Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 9 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
David W. Packard
President, Chair & Director
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Arianna Packard Martell
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christoph J. Wolff
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Hodges
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Walter B. Hewlett
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William A. Johnson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Woodley Packard
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Si White
Treasurer & CFO
On filings since 2020
25 hrs/week
$148K (2020) → $191K (2024)
Barbara P. Wright
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Pamela M. Packard (2020) — Director
- Former: Susan Packard Orr (2020) — Vice President & Director
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 $191K, to Si White (Treasurer/CFO).
Frequently asked questions about The Packard Humanities Institute
How much does The Packard Humanities Institute give each year?
The Packard Humanities Institute gave $3.7M across 8 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $9.8M across 17 grants.
What is The Packard Humanities Institute's typical grant size?
The Packard Humanities Institute's median grant in 2024 was $281,000, and its average grant was $458,630, across 8 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Packard Humanities Institute give grants?
The Packard Humanities Institute's top state is California, with 35% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The most frequent recipient cities were Los Altos, CA (2 grants).
Does The Packard Humanities Institute give general operating support?
Yes: 13% of The Packard Humanities Institute's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Packard Humanities Institute's largest grantees?
The Packard Humanities Institute's largest 2024 grantees include Irish Institute of Hellenic Studies Athens ($1,400,000), Stanford Theatre Foundation ($1,200,000 across 2 grants) and University of Oxford ($320,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 80% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Packard Humanities Institute?
The Packard Humanities Institute reported $918.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $16.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $37.2M (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 does The Packard Humanities Institute fund?
PHI describes its focus as archaeology, music, film preservation, and historical archives. Its stated direct charitable activities include preserving, editing, and disseminating historical music and documents, as well as supporting the PHI Stoa and film preservation and digitization projects. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Packard Humanities Institute?
The Packard Humanities Institute does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines. Check packhum.org for any change to that policy.
What is The Packard Humanities Institute's EIN?
The Packard Humanities Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-3038401. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Packard Humanities Institute 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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