Hewlett Foundation

Hewlett Foundation. The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, commonly known as the Hewlett Foundation, is a major American philanthropic organization established in 1966 by William Hewlett, co-founder of Hewlett-Packard, and his wife Flora Hewlett. Headquartered in Menlo Park, California, the foundation is dedicated to solving social and environmental problems at home and around the world. With a substantial endowment derived from the success of Hewlett-Packard, it makes grants to support a wide array of initiatives in areas such as education, environmental conservation, global development, and the arts.

History

The foundation was created with an initial gift of Hewlett-Packard stock, reflecting the Silicon Valley origins of its founders. For its first two decades, under the direct guidance of the Hewlett family, grantmaking was broad and responsive to community needs in the San Francisco Bay Area. A significant evolution occurred in the late 1990s and early 2000s, following the death of William Hewlett and a period of strategic reassessment. Under the leadership of President Paul Brest, the foundation adopted a more focused, outcome-oriented approach, developing distinct program areas with specific long-term goals. This shift mirrored broader trends in strategic philanthropy and established the operational model that continues to guide its work today.

Programs and initiatives

The foundation’s work is organized into several core programs, each with targeted strategies. Its Education program supports initiatives aimed at improving educational outcomes from early childhood through higher education, with a notable focus on open educational resources and deeper learning. The Environment program concentrates on combating climate change, protecting Western U.S. landscapes, and promoting sustainable economic policies. In Global Development, it focuses on improving governance and economic opportunity in select regions, including West Africa and Central America. Additional significant programs include support for the performing arts in the San Francisco Bay Area, advancing cybersecurity policy, and strengthening U.S. democracy through research and civic engagement initiatives like the Madison Initiative.

Governance and leadership

The foundation is governed by a board of directors, which includes members of the Hewlett family and independent experts from various fields. Day-to-day operations are led by a president, a role held since 2012 by Larry Kramer, formerly dean of the Stanford Law School. The board and executive leadership work to set the foundation’s strategic direction, approve major grants, and ensure fiduciary responsibility. Key figures in its history have included former presidents Paul Brest and Walter Hewlett, son of the founders, who served as board chair for many years. This governance structure blends family legacy with professional philanthropic management.

Financials and grantmaking

With an endowment of approximately $13.5 billion as of 2023, the foundation is among the largest in the United States. It typically awards between $400-$500 million in grants annually to a diverse array of nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and think tanks worldwide. Grantmaking is conducted almost exclusively through its structured programs, with each program team employing strategies informed by evidence and evaluation. Financial operations are managed to preserve the endowment’s long-term value, adhering to the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act. Annual financial reports and grant databases are publicly available, reflecting a commitment to transparency in philanthropy.

Impact and recognition

The foundation’s work has contributed to significant policy and field advancements. Its early and sustained funding was instrumental in the growth of the open educational resources movement, exemplified by support for MIT OpenCourseWare and Creative Commons. In climate policy, its strategic grants have supported research and advocacy leading to major legislation, including California’s Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. The foundation is also recognized for its influential role in promoting evidence-based philanthropy and impact investing, concepts advanced through its support of organizations like the Center for Effective Philanthropy. While it typically avoids seeking public recognition, its approach is often studied as a model in the field of institutional philanthropy.

Category:Philanthropic organizations based in California Category:Organizations established in 1966