The Hearst Foundations fund educational institutions demonstrating uncommon success in preparing students to thrive in a global society. The Foundations’ focus is largely on higher education, but they also fund innovative models of early childhood and K-12 education, as well as professional development.

Funding Priorities in Education

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

In the recent past, 30% of total funding has been allocated to Education. Organizations with budgets over $10 million have received 80% of the funding in Education.

Types of Support:

• Program, scholarship, capital, and, on a limited basis, general and endowment support

Preference will be given to:

• Higher education programs and scholarships and, on a limited basis, scholarships for post-graduate education

• College access and college success programming

• Professional development for educators

• Science education programs that focus on developing career pathways in science, technology, engineering, environment and math

The two Foundations are managed as one entity, sharing the same funding guidelines, leadership, and staff. Staff based in New York City review all proposals from organizations located east of the Mississippi River, and staff in the San Francisco office review those from organizations west of the Mississippi River.

Please also note:

• 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.