The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation is a private foundation based in Menlo Park, California. Established in 1966 by engineer and entrepreneur Bill Hewlett and his wife, Flora, it supports creative thinkers and problem solvers working to help people, communities, and the planet flourish. The foundation is independent of HP, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and the HPE Foundation.
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation at a glance
In short: The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation gave $625.0M across 2,001 grants in 2024 (avg $312K), top state California. 25% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $625,009,380
- +5.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 2,001
- +5.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $312,349
- +0.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $150,000
- Total assets
- $14,202,751,280
- +6.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (323 of 1,271, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (26% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation generally does not accept unsolicited requests, though it sometimes invites letters of inquiry or other proposals through open processes. Its filing directs applicants to page 23 and its website for application materials, deadlines, and award restrictions; specific details are not provided here.
- Contact
Application contact: Amber Miller President
Mailing address: 2121 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025
Phone: (650) 234-4500
Website: https://hewlett.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Stichting European Climate Foundation ($34.2M across 10 grants). Together the top 10 received $146.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
9,346 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 2,645 grants of 9,346 (28%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website describes local grantmaking in the San Francisco Bay Area, U.S. efforts focused on issues including democracy, education, and conservation in the North American West, and global grantmaking that includes the U.S. Its gender equity and governance program focuses on East and West Africa, Mexico, and the U.S.
In 2024, California and Washington, DC each accounted for 26% of grant dollars, New York for 9%, and Massachusetts for 3%. The filing lists 21% under an unspecified recipient-state category.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2,001 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 323 of 1,271 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $257K; repeat grants $572K. How we count
Medians: $158K first-time, $240K repeat.
- 64% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+18%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 101% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $471.3M (2020) to $625.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 2,001 grants totaling $625.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Stichting European Climate Foundation | For the Climate Finance Fund | $11,212,911 |
| Stichting European Climate Foundation | For the Climate Finance Fund | $11,000,000 |
| Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc Washington, DC | For the Global Fund for a New Economy | $10,000,000 |
| Climateworks Foundation San Francisco, CA | For General Operating Support | $10,000,000 |
| Stichting European Climate Foundation | For General Operating Support | $9,000,000 |
| MSI-US Washington, DC | For Support of the Challenge Fund | $7,500,000 |
| San Francisco Foundation San Francisco, CA | For General Operating Support | $7,500,000 |
| New Venture Fund Washington, DC | For the creativity in teaching and learning pooled fund | $7,000,000 |
| The Energy Foundation San Francisco, CA | For General Operating Support | $7,000,000 |
| Windward Fund Washington, DC | For the Methane Hub | $6,666,666 |
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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 | $14,202,751,280 | $784,700,540 | $754,606,113 | $625,009,380 | 2,001 | $690,042,975 | $1,032,277,156 | $680,182,376 |
| 2023 | $13,332,174,215 | $602,064,005 | $699,937,452 | $590,142,860 | 1,904 | $648,774,278 | $876,765,933 | $635,906,688 |
| 2022 | $12,779,109,242 | $652,108,628 | $655,021,446 | $560,735,625 | 1,840 | $613,260,139 | $456,365,865 | $653,535,635 |
| 2021 | $14,861,048,592 | $1,115,887,438 | $617,662,820 | $529,060,585 | 1,809 | $581,055,675 | $1,377,415,856 | $705,341,345 |
| 2020 | $13,293,329,462 | $910,160,539 | $566,179,169 | $471,308,081 | 1,792 | — | $840,778,046 | $613,506,864 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation reported a distributable amount of $680.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to invest in creative thinkers and problem solvers working to ensure everyone has a meaningful opportunity to thrive. Its programs include education; effective philanthropy; environment; gender equity and governance; performing arts; U.S. democracy; economy and society; racial justice; and special projects.
The foundation’s website describes grants supporting educational opportunities, global climate work and conservation in the U.S. West, artistic experiences in the San Francisco Bay Area, and gender equity and responsive governance in East and West Africa, Mexico, and the U.S. It also supports efforts to strengthen nonprofits and philanthropy.
Examples of grantees’ work include climate solutions: ClimateWorks Foundation describes its mission as connecting philanthropy, grantees, and strategic partners to deliver high-impact climate solutions. The San Francisco Foundation says it mobilizes resources to build strong communities and promote philanthropy. New Venture Fund describes its work as providing fiscal sponsorship to help direct philanthropic capital toward a just, equitable, and sustainable future.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 2,001 grants totaling $625,009,380. Grant amounts ranged from $50 to $11,212,911, with a median of $150,000. The foundation says nearly three-fourths of its 2024 grant dollars were flexible support, and that it prefers long-term general operating support whenever possible.
Notable 2024 grants included $11,212,911 and $11,000,000 to Stichting European Climate Foundation for the Climate Finance Fund; $10,000,000 to Amalgamated Charitable Foundation for the Global Fund for a New Economy; $10,000,000 to ClimateWorks Foundation for general operating support; and $7,500,000 to San Francisco Foundation for general operating support. The foundation also awarded $7,000,000 to New Venture Fund for the Creativity in Teaching and Learning Pooled Fund and $5,000,000 to Election Trust Initiative LLC for the Election Trust Initiative.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Mariano-Florentino Cuellar as chairman. Directors listed are Melody Barnes, Alecia Decoudreaux, Persis Drell, Eric Gimon, Billy Hewlett, David Hewlett, Mary Ellen Iskenderian, Sarah Jaffe, and Susan Meaney.
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation is led by Larry Kramer, President on every filing since 2020; 6 of 16 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Larry Kramer
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$897K (2020) → $226K (2024)
Amber Miller
President
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$845K (2024)
Mariano-Florentino Cuellar
Chairman
Director → Chair, 2022
Chair → Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alecia Decoudreaux
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Billy Hewlett
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Gimon
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Persis Drell
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Meaney
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Ellen Iskenderian
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Jaffe
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Hewlett
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melody Barnes
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Peters
Vice President & COO
General Counsel & Corp Secretary → Vice President & COO, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$449K (2020) → $967K (2024)
Suresh Bhat
CFO & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$369K (2020) → $767K (2024)
Dwight Koda
CFO & Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$357K (2024)
Kristy Tsadick
Gc & Co Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$584K (2024)
Former officers (11)
- Former: James Manyika (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Patricia A. House (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Rakesh Rajani (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Flora Hewlett Birdzell (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Koh Boon Hwee (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Stephen C. Neal (2020–2022) — Chair
- Former: Ana Marshall (2020–2021) — Vice President & Chief Investment Officer
- Former: Fay Twersky (2020–2021) — Vice President
- Former: Nathalie Farman-Farma (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Sarah Singh (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Brian Jaffe (2020) — 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 $967K, to Elizabeth Peters (VP & COO (As of 09/24)). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
How much does The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation give each year?
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation gave $625.0M across 2,001 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $590.1M across 1,904 grants.
What is The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation's typical grant size?
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $150,000, and its average grant was $312,349, across 2,001 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation that year got $257K on average.
Where does The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation give grants?
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation's top state is California, with 26% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (26%) and New York (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (391 grants), San Francisco, CA (198 grants), New York, NY (153 grants) and Oakland, CA (90 grants).
Does The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 34% of The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (686 of 2,001) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Matching Gift of Staff and Board Members" (248 grants), "For Legal Technical Assistance" (29 grants) and "For Membership Support" (15 grants).
Who are The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation's largest grantees?
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Stichting European Climate Foundation ($34,212,911 across 10 grants), Climateworks Foundation ($24,578,334 across 8 grants) and New Venture Fund ($16,510,000 across 22 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 12% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation?
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation reported $14.2B in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $690.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $680.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to invest in creative thinkers and problem solvers working to ensure everyone has a meaningful opportunity to thrive. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation?
The foundation generally does not accept unsolicited requests, though it sometimes invites letters of inquiry or other proposals through open processes. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation's EIN?
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-1655673. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The William & Flora Hewlett 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 October 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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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 8, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-william-and-flora-hewlett-foundation-morg_3a2674064c7c4fa8ab203009084e82b0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_941655673_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The William \& Flora Hewlett Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-william-and-flora-hewlett-foundation-morg_3a2674064c7c4fa8ab203009084e82b0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-08. 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 William & Flora Hewlett 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.
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