Hayes Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $1,900,000
Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
Decision Time: Not applicable (preselected organizations)
Grant Range: $670 - $115,000
Median Grant: $29,000
Geographic Focus: National (primarily NY, NM, CT, CA, ME)
Total Assets: $45 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: 157 Church Street, 19th Floor, New Haven, CT 06510
Phone: (970) 390-6639
Website: www.hayes.foundation
EIN: 06-1636828

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications

Overview

The Hayes Foundation was established in 2003 as a private family foundation supported by the Richard Hayes estate. With total assets of $45 million as of 2024, the foundation distributes approximately $1.9 million annually across 56 grants. The foundation operates under trustee discretion, making contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations. Since its formation, the foundation has experienced significant growth, expanding from $11.3 million in assets in 2018 to over $45 million in 2024, with major contributions received in 2019 ($14.5M) and 2023 ($2.6M). The foundation's strategic approach focuses on nature conservation, child and youth services, community humanitarian assistance, medical research, and cultural arts education, with a geographic emphasis on New York, New Mexico, Connecticut, California, and Maine.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single discretionary grant program with grants ranging from $670 to $115,000, with a median grant of $29,000. Grants are awarded on an ongoing basis to organizations preselected by the trustees.

Priority Areas

The Hayes Foundation actively funds organizations in the following areas:

Nature Conservation & Environmental Sustainability: Including wildlife conservation and environmental protection organizations
Child Services & Youth Education: Supporting programs that serve children and provide educational opportunities
Community Service & Humanitarian Assistance: Supporting community-based organizations providing essential services
Medical Research & Medical Assistance: Including international medical assistance programs and healthcare access
Cultural & Arts Education: Supporting cultural institutions and arts education programs

Notable Recent Recipients (2024):

Safe Passage ($115,000)
Himalayan Cataract Project ($100,000+, multiple grants)
Wolf Conservation Center ($100,000+)
Bowdoin College Alumni Fund ($100,000)

Geographic Focus

While the foundation accepts applications from organizations nationwide, there is a strong funding presence in:

New York
New Mexico
Connecticut
California
Maine

What They Don't Fund

As a preselected grantmaker, the foundation does not fund unsolicited requests from organizations with which they do not have an existing relationship.

Governance and Leadership

The Hayes Foundation is governed by three family trustees who serve in executive capacities:

Michael Hayes, Trustee/Executive (20 hours/week, $80,000 compensation)
Elizabeth Christopher, Trustee/Executive (5 hours/week, $40,000 compensation)
Kathleen Hayes, Trustee/Executive (5 hours/week, $40,000 compensation)

The foundation operates as a family foundation with decision-making authority vested in the board of trustees, who identify and select grant recipients based on alignment with the foundation's mission and priorities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Hayes Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees to organizations they have identified and selected. Organizations cannot submit applications or proposals unless specifically invited by the foundation.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded on a rolling basis to preselected organizations throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not applicable for unsolicited applications. In 2024, the foundation made 56 grants totaling $1.9 million.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications from organizations outside their preselected group.

Application Success Factors

Since the Hayes Foundation operates exclusively with preselected charitable organizations, there is no application process for organizations seeking funding. The foundation's trustees identify and select grant recipients based on alignment with their funding priorities.

Key Considerations for Preselected Organizations:

The foundation shows consistent support for certain organizations with multi-year or repeat funding
Grant sizes vary significantly based on organizational need and project scope, ranging from under $1,000 to over $115,000
The median grant of $29,000 suggests most organizations receive mid-sized awards
Priority areas include conservation, youth services, medical assistance, and cultural programs
Geographic preference for organizations in NY, NM, CT, CA, and ME

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications; grants are made only to preselected organizations chosen by trustees
Family Foundation Structure: Governed by three family trustees with deep personal involvement in grantmaking decisions
Broad But Focused Priorities: While covering diverse areas (environment, youth, medical, arts), the foundation demonstrates clear preferences within each category
Wide Grant Range: Awards vary dramatically from under $1,000 to over $115,000, with a median of $29,000, suggesting flexibility based on organizational needs
Repeat Grantmaking: Evidence of multi-year support to selected organizations like Himalayan Cataract Project and Bowdoin College indicates commitment to ongoing relationships
Geographic Pattern: Strong presence in specific states (NY, NM, CT, CA, ME) may reflect personal connections or strategic priorities
Not Suitable for Cold Outreach: Organizations should not submit unsolicited proposals; funding relationships are initiated by the foundation

References

Information compiled from IRS Form 990-PF filings (2018-2024) and nonprofit database resources. Accessed December 16, 2025.