Hilton Uk Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £450,000 (2024 charitable activities)
• Total Income: £852,172 (2024)
• Grant Range: Estimated £30,000 - £400,000 per award
• Geographic Focus: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
• Application Process: Invitation only / strategic partnerships

Contact Details

Email: HiltonUKFoundation@hilton.com / HiltonGlobalFoundation@Hilton.com

Registered Office: Company Number 13225995

Type: Charitable company and registered charity

Working Name: HEF (UK), previously Hilton Effect Foundation (UK)

Overview

The Hilton UK Foundation (Charity 1198428) was registered on 29 March 2022 and serves as the UK legal entity for Hilton's corporate philanthropic efforts, operating as part of the Hilton Global Foundation network. Previously named the Hilton Effect Foundation (UK), the foundation operates as a grant-making charity focused on supporting organizations that align with Hilton's Travel with Purpose strategy. In 2024, the foundation had a total income of £852,172 and distributed £450,000 in charitable activities. The foundation operates through strategic partnerships rather than open grant applications, identifying and supporting organizations that create opportunities in environmental sustainability, career development, and community resilience—particularly those supporting vulnerable and underrepresented groups in the hospitality sector.

Funding Priorities

Grant Focus Areas

The Hilton UK Foundation supports three primary funding pillars:

Environmental Sustainability

• Reducing waste and promoting destination stewardship
• Increasing clean water access
• Supporting environmental protection initiatives

Career Development

• Employment opportunities in hospitality for underrepresented groups
• Skills training and employability programs
• Supporting young people and those with learning disabilities into hospitality careers
• Pathways for formerly incarcerated individuals, veterans, and people experiencing homelessness

Community Resilience

• Strengthening vulnerable communities
• Disaster relief and humanitarian support
• Local housing and food security initiatives

Known UK Partners and Grant Recipients

• Only A Pavement Away: Multi-year partnership supporting employment pathways for people facing homelessness, prison leavers, and vulnerable veterans in hospitality
• Down's Syndrome Association: WorkFit programme supporting people with Down's syndrome to find employment in hospitality (30 individuals placed in Hilton hotels to date)
• Aurora Foxes: £30,000 grant in 2022 for Flying Fox food truck, supporting young adults with learning disabilities through a catering college and training hotel (8-year partnership)
• Springboard: 2021 grant recipient supporting young and unemployed people to upskill and progress into hospitality employment

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. They do not operate as a traditional grant-making organization where charities can submit open applications for funding consideration.

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Governance and Leadership

Directors/Trustees

Stephen Patrick Cassidy (Director, appointed 25 February 2021)

Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Hilton UK & Ireland

Chair of UKHospitality

Over 30 years' experience in the travel industry

Paul Jonathan Farrow (Director, appointed 31 March 2022)

Patricia Anne Page-Champion (Director, appointed 31 March 2022)

HLT Secretary Limited (Company Secretary, appointed 2 July 2021)

No trustees receive remuneration or payments from the charity. The foundation has 3 trustees and no employees earning over £60,000.

Leadership Perspective

Stephen Cassidy has stated: “Our industry is unique in its ability to create economic value, enable social mobility and build communities.” This philosophy underpins the foundation's focus on creating pathways to hospitality employment for underrepresented groups.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Hilton UK Foundation does not have a public application process.

The foundation operates through strategic partnerships and invitation-only grants. As stated in their communications: “While we traditionally do not distribute grants for unsolicited requests, we always welcome learning more about organizations and the great work they do in our communities.”

Grants are awarded to organizations that:

• Align with Hilton's Travel with Purpose strategy
• Support the three core funding pillars (environmental sustainability, career development, community resilience)
• Often have existing relationships or connections with Hilton properties or team members
• Demonstrate impact in supporting vulnerable or underrepresented populations

Getting on Their Radar

Connection to Hilton Properties: The foundation works closely with local Hilton hotels and team members. Organizations that partner with local Hilton properties on community initiatives or volunteer activities may be more likely to be considered for Action Grants or other support.

Hospitality Sector Alignment: Organizations working specifically in hospitality-related career development, particularly those supporting groups facing barriers to employment (learning disabilities, homelessness, formerly incarcerated individuals, veterans), align strongly with the foundation's demonstrated funding priorities.

Long-standing Partnerships: UK recipients are typically described as “long-standing Hilton partner organisations,” suggesting the foundation prioritizes sustained relationships over one-off grants. Building a relationship over time through smaller collaborations may lead to larger grant opportunities.

Annual Grant Announcement: The Hilton Global Foundation makes its major grant announcements annually, typically during Hilton's Travel with Purpose Week, which involves volunteerism for team members globally. The 2024 announcement (October) awarded $5.3 million to 16 organizations worldwide.

Decision Timeline

The foundation operates on an annual grant cycle, with announcements typically made during Hilton's Travel with Purpose Week. Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed as the foundation proactively identifies grant recipients rather than reviewing submitted applications.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Strategic Priorities

Organizations successful in receiving Hilton UK Foundation grants share these characteristics:

Hospitality Employment Focus: All major UK recipients support pathways to hospitality employment—Down's Syndrome Association places individuals in Hilton hotels, Aurora Foxes trains young people for catering careers, Only A Pavement Away connects vulnerable individuals with hospitality employers.

Supporting Underrepresented Groups: The foundation prioritizes organizations working with people facing significant barriers to employment: learning disabilities, homelessness, criminal justice involvement, disabilities, and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Measurable Impact: Recipients demonstrate clear outcomes—“30 individuals placed in Hilton hotels,” “300 people placed into hospitality jobs,” “900 individuals with access to employment opportunities.”

Sustained Engagement: Partnerships are described as “long-standing” (8 years with Aurora Foxes) and ongoing, suggesting the foundation values sustained relationships that create lasting change rather than one-time project funding.

Strategic Alignment with Corporate Goals: All funded work connects directly to Hilton's Travel with Purpose 2030 goals around career development, environmental sustainability, and community resilience.

Common Characteristics of Funded Organizations

• Work directly in or adjacent to the hospitality sector
• Have existing relationships with Hilton properties or personnel
• Focus on employment and skills development
• Serve clearly defined vulnerable populations
• Demonstrate track record of placing individuals into employment
• Can articulate clear, measurable outcomes

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is not a traditional grant-maker: The Hilton UK Foundation operates through strategic partnerships and does not accept unsolicited applications. Relationship-building is essential.
• Hospitality connection is critical: All major UK recipients have strong connections to hospitality employment and career development in the sector.
• Think long-term partnerships: The foundation supports “long-standing partner organisations” rather than one-off projects. Building relationships over time appears more successful than seeking immediate large grants.
• Connect with local Hilton properties: Organizations working with local Hilton hotels on volunteer activities or community initiatives may have better access to foundation consideration.
• Focus on employment outcomes: Career development, particularly supporting vulnerable groups into hospitality employment, is the dominant theme among UK recipients.
• Contact the foundation directly: While they don't accept unsolicited applications, they welcome learning about organizations doing great work in their communities. An introductory email to HiltonUKFoundation@hilton.com or HiltonGlobalFoundation@Hilton.com may open doors.
• Consider Action Grants: Organizations may access smaller “Action Grants” through partnerships with local Hilton team members for volunteer activities, potentially creating pathways to larger strategic partnerships.

References

• Charity Commission Register: Hilton UK Foundation (1198428), https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5193601
• Companies House: Hilton UK Foundation Directors, https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/13225995/officers
• Hilton Global Foundation website, “What We Do,”, https://hiltonglobalfoundation.hilton.com/what-we-do
• Only A Pavement Away, “Hilton Global Foundation Announces Almost £400,000 in Grants to UK Charities,”
• Hilton Stories, “Hilton Global Foundation Unveils Record $5.3 Million Commitment,” October 2024
• Hilton Global Foundation, “Aurora Foxes” grantee profile
• The Caterer, “The Caterer interview: Steve Cassidy, senior vice-president and managing director of Hilton,”
• UKHospitality, “Hilton boss Steve Cassidy to become Chair of UKHospitality,”
• Hilton Stories, “Travel with Purpose Latest News,” 2024