Hayes Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,513,000 (2023 tax year)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (preselected organisations)
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Median Grant: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: National
• Total Assets: $28.9 million (2023 tax year)

Contact Details

Address: 157 Church Street, 19th Floor, New Haven, CT 06510
Phone: (970) 390-6639
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. As of the 2023 tax year, the foundation held total assets of $28.9 million and distributed $1,513,185 across 45 grants. The foundation operates under trustee discretion, making contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organisations. The foundation's strategic approach focuses on nature conservation, child and youth services, community humanitarian assistance, medical research, and cultural arts education.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The foundation operates a single discretionary grant programme. Grants are awarded on an ongoing basis to organisations preselected by the trustees.

Priority Areas

Based on available information, the Hayes Foundation actively funds organisations in the following areas:

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

Notable Recipients (from available records):

• Bowdoin College Alumni Fund

Geographic Focus

The foundation accepts applications from organisations nationwide.

What They Don't Fund

As a preselected grantmaker, the foundation does not fund unsolicited requests from organisations 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. 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 organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

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

Decision Timeline

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

Success Rates

Not applicable for unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

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

Application Success Factors

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

Key Considerations for Preselected Organisations:

• The foundation shows consistent support for certain organisations with multi-year or repeat funding
• Priority areas include conservation, youth services, medical assistance, and cultural programmes

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications; grants are made only to preselected organisations 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
• Repeat Grantmaking: Evidence of multi-year support to selected organisations indicates commitment to ongoing relationships
• Not Suitable for Cold Outreach: Organisations should not submit unsolicited proposals; funding relationships are initiated by the foundation

References

• The Hayes Foundation | New Haven, CT | Cause IQ
• Hayes Foundation | New Haven, CT | 990 Report | Instrumentl
• Grantmakers.io Profile - HAYES FOUNDATION
• Hayes Foundation - Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublica
• Hayes Foundation | Charity Navigator Profile
• Hayes Foundation - GuideStar Profile

Information compiled from IRS Form 990-PF filings (2023 tax year) and nonprofit database resources.