The Hearst Foundations fund direct-service organizations that tackle the roots of chronic poverty by applying effective solutions to the most challenging social and economic problems. The Foundations prioritize supporting programs that have proven successful in facilitating economic independence and in strengthening families. Preference is also given to programs with the potential to scale productive practices in order to reach more people in need.

Funding Priorities in Social Service

In the recent past, 15% of total funding has been allocated to Social Service. Organizations with budgets over $5 million have received 60% of funding in Social Service.

The Hearst Foundations are only able to fund approximately 25% of all grant requests, of which about 80% is directed to prior grantees and about 20% is targeted for new grantees.

Types of Support:

• Program, capital and general support

 

Preference will be given to:

• Affordable housing
• Domestic violence victims 
• Economic development with a focus on environmental sustainability
• Food banks and food delivery, provided services are program-related
• Job creation and job training
• Legal services for those in need of legal representation
• Prison education and reentry programs
• Youth development
• An organization’s national headquarters for wider initiatives instead of local chapters

 

Further information:

• Minimum grant size is $100,000.
• If a grant request is unsuccessful, an organization must wait a minimum of one year from the date of declination before reapplying.
• Grantees must wait a minimum of three years from their grant award date before the Foundations will consider another request.
• For more information on our process, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and the Grant Request Evaluation Process pages.