Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Explained

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
Type:Private foundation
(IRS status): 501(c)(3)
Founded Date:1944
Founder:Conrad Hilton
Purpose:Improving the lives of individuals living in poverty and experiencing disadvantage.
Location:Westlake Village, California, U.S.
Key People:Linda Hilton, chairman of the board
Peter Laugharn, president and CEO
Method:Endowment
Endowment:$7.2 billion USD[1]

The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation is an American non-profit charitable foundation, established in 1944 by hotel entrepreneur Conrad Hilton. It remained relatively small until his death on January 3, 1979, when it was named the principal beneficiary of his estate. In 2007, Conrad's son, Barron Hilton announced that he would leave about 97% of his fortune to a charitable remainder unitrust which names the foundation as the remainder beneficiary.[2] [3]

Financial information

The foundation's assets, as of September 2019, were approximately $2.9 billion and had increased to $6.3 billion due to Barron Hilton's passing.[4] Since inception, the foundation has awarded more than $1.7 billion in grants. Currently more than 50% supports international charitable projects.[5] According to the OECD, the foundation's financing for 2019 development decreased by 11% to US$42.3 million.[6]

Program areas

The foundation's mission is derived from the last will and testament of Conrad Hilton that directs the organization to "relieve the suffering, the distressed, and the destitute."[7] The foundation invests in seven program areas: Catholic sisters, disaster relief and recovery, foster youth, homelessness, hospitality workforce development, safe water, and young children affected by HIV and AIDS. The foundation also supports organizations in four transitioning program areas: avoidable blindness, Catholic education, multiple sclerosis and substance use prevention.[8]

Catholic Sisters

The Hilton Foundation Catholic Sisters program is focused on recognizing catholic sisters as leaders in the human development field by supporting organizations and congregations in the United States and Africa.

Disaster Relief and Recovery

The Disaster Relief and Recovery program supports communities to prepare for disasters and provide long-lasting solution towards long-term recovery.

Foster Youth

This program works with nonprofit organizations in the Los Angeles and New York to provide assistance to transition age youth ages 16–24 as they age out of the foster care system.

Homelessness

The foundation partners with organizations in Los Angeles County to build permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.

Hospitality Workforce Development

This program area works with organizations in New Orleans to provide pathways for young people towards a career in the hospitality industry.

Safe Water

Working with international nonprofits and government agencies in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Niger and Uganda to build water systems.

Young Children Affected by HIV and AIDS

The program focuses on early childhood development globally and partners with international and local NGOs working in HIV prevalent communities in Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia.

Transitioning Programs

In 2018, the Hilton Foundation announced it would transition out of four program areas (Avoidable Blindness, Catholic Education, Multiple Sclerosis, and Substance Use Prevention) over two to five years. The foundation committed to "leave the field with minimal disruption" and "capture knowledge from our time in these areas to propel future innovations and solutions."[9]

Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize

The Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize is awarded annually by the foundation. It was inaugurated in 1996 and is the largest humanitarian award in the world. Its annual award of USD1.5 million was increased in 2015 to 2 million to commemorate its 20th Hilton Humanitarian Prize laureate, Landesa.[10]

Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize Laureates

Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize Jury

Leadership

Conrad Hilton's granddaughter, Hawley Hilton McAULIFFE, became chair of the board January 2021, superseding Steven M. Hilton, who was the chairman of the organization for most of its existence. He started working at the foundation in 1983 and served as its CEO from 2005 to 2015.[19] Hilton retired as president and CEO, and was succeeded by Peter Laugharn.[20] [21] In his retirement announcement, Hilton said, “When I joined the Hilton Foundation in 1983, I couldn’t imagine the path that lay ahead. At that time, a handful of staff guided about $6 million in grants annually. Fast forward to today, and we have grown to a staff of over 50 and have awarded over a billion dollars in grants to improve the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people around the world.”[22] Peter Laugharn began his tenure as president and CEO on January 1, 2016.[23]

Board of directors

As of May 22, 2021[24]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Financials and Investments.
  2. Web site: Barron Hilton to Donate 97% of Estate to Hilton Foundation. December 26, 2007. Planned Giving Design Center, LLC. April 2, 2011. March 19, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110319015235/http://www.pgdc.com/pgdc/news-story/2007/12/27/barron-hilton-donate-97-estate-hilton-foundation. dead.
  3. News: Hilton fortune to go to charity.. BBC News .
  4. News: Barron Hilton Leaves 97% of His Fortune to the Family Foundation . Barron's Penta . 2019-09-23 . 2019-09-23.
  5. News: New Frontiers in Doing Good: A Family Foundation . Leaders Magazine . 2011-04-02 . 2011-09-16.
  6. Web site: Conrad N. Hilton Foundation | Development Co-operation Profiles – Conrad N. Hilton Foundation | OECD iLibrary.
  7. http://www.hiltonfoundation.org/main.asp?id=60 Excerpt from the Last Will and Testament of Conrad N. Hilton
  8. Web site: Hilton Foundation's CEO on its evolving priorities . devex.com . 7 June 2018 . 2018-07-06.
  9. Web site: Transitioning Programs . Conrad N. Hilton Foundation . 4 April 2024.
  10. Web site: Candid. Hilton Foundation Creates Humanitarian Network. 2020-07-21. Philanthropy News Digest (PND). en.
  11. Caroline Bermudez, Charities That Support People With Mental Illness Win Hilton Prize, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, July 18, 2014
  12. News: $2 Million Hilton Prize To Be Awarded To Bangladesh Health Research Group. August 25, 2017. The Beverly Hills Courier. August 25, 2017. 2. August 25, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170825230927/http://bhcourier.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/082517Fissue.pdf. dead.
  13. Ariella Phillips, Group Serving Kenya Slums Wins $2 Million Hilton Humanitarian Award, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, August 22, 2018
  14. Helena Smith, https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/aug/19/greek-ngo-helping-child-refugees-wins-2m-humanitarian-prize, The Guardian, August 19, 2019
  15. Web site: 2020-10-22 . Forty Years After Conrad N. Hilton's Death, His Foundation Is Still Giving . 2024-03-05 . Town & Country . en-US.
  16. Web site: CAMFED . 2024-03-05 . Hilton Foundation . en-US.
  17. Web site: The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Announces the Norwegian Refugee Council as the 2022 Recipient of the $2.5 Million Hilton Humanitarian Prize . 2024-03-05 . Hilton Foundation . en-US.
  18. Web site: The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Announces One Acre Fund as 2023 Recipient of $2.5 Million Humanitarian Prize . 2024-03-05 . Hilton Foundation . en-US.
  19. News: Steve Hilton on the Hilton Humanitarian Prize—and Its Impact . The Bridgespan Group "Give Smart" . 2013-04-16 . 2013-09-27.
  20. News: Head of Conrad Hilton Foundation to step down at the end of 2015 . Los Angeles Times . 2014-03-25 . 2014-03-31.
  21. News: Peter Laugharn Named Chief Executive of Conrad N. Hilton Foundation . Chronicle of Philanthropy . 2015-05-20 . 2016-04-27.
  22. Web site: Steven M. Hilton To Step Down As President And CEO Of The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation . bhcourier.com . 2014-03-31 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140407092702/http://bhcourier.com/steven-m-hilton-step-president-ceo-conrad-n-hilton-foundation/2014/03/25 . 2014-04-07 .
  23. Di Mento. Maria. Peter Laugharn Named Chief Executive of Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. The Chronicle of Philanthropy. May 20, 2015. 26 May 2015.
  24. Web site: 8 May 2019. Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Announces Two New Board Members. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190525182441/https://www.hiltonfoundation.org/news/435-conrad-n-hilton-foundation-announces-two-new-board-members. 25 May 2019.