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Thomas W. Haas Foundation

Annual Giving
$16.8M
000

Thomas W. Haas Foundation - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $16.8 million (2024)
  • Total Assets: $168 million (2024)
  • Grant Range: Variable - approximately $166,000 average grant (2022)
  • Number of Grants: 46 grants (2024), 37 grants (2022)
  • Geographic Focus: National (U.S.)
  • Application Process: No public application process - invitation only

Contact Details

Website: https://twhfound.org/

Location: Greenland, NH

Note: The foundation's website indicates they are currently focusing on creating a new strategic direction and are not accepting grant applications at this time.

Overview

The Thomas W. Haas Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 2009 (tax-exempt status granted June 2009) and based in Greenland, New Hampshire. With assets totaling $168 million and annual charitable disbursements of $16.8 million (2024), the foundation operates as a significant regional philanthropic entity. The foundation is led by Thomas W. Haas, who comes from a prominent philanthropic family—his paternal grandparents founded the William Penn Foundation in Philadelphia. While the foundation's website indicates they are currently redefining their mission and strategic direction, their grantmaking activities have continued consistently, making 37-46 grants annually in recent years. The foundation does not specify particular subject areas of focus publicly, though founder Thomas Haas has demonstrated personal interests in sustainable food systems, wildlife conservation, and local community support in the Seacoast region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Thomas W. Haas Foundation does not operate formal, publicly-defined grant programs. All grants are made to preselected charitable organizations at the discretion of the trustees.

  • Charitable Disbursements: $16.8 million in 2024 (94.6% of total expenses)
  • Average Grant Size: Approximately $166,000 (based on 2022 data)
  • Number of Annual Grants: 37-46 grants per year (2020-2024)

The foundation's grantmaking has reached organizations across the United States, including major cities like Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, as well as smaller communities across numerous states including Arizona, Colorado, and Connecticut.

Priority Areas

Based on available information about founder Thomas W. Haas's personal philanthropic interests, the foundation has demonstrated interest in:

  • Sustainable Food Systems: Haas donated $1 million through the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation to establish the Thomas W. Haas Professorship in Sustainable Food Systems at the University of New Hampshire's Sustainability Institute
  • Wildlife Conservation: Long-standing support for conservation efforts, reflected in Haas's 30-year volunteer work with LightHawk
  • Local Community Services: Support for Seacoast area organizations including Crossroads House and Families First
  • Environmental Sustainability: Evidenced by support for sustainable agriculture, food systems, and conservation

Note: The foundation has indicated they are currently working on redefining their mission and purpose, which may result in more clearly defined priority areas in the future.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Governance and Leadership

Thomas W. Haas - President & Treasurer

  • Durham-based philanthropist from a prominent philanthropic family
  • Grandson of Otto Haas (founder of Rohm & Haas) and Phoebe Haas (UC Berkeley's first woman to earn a doctoral degree in astronomy)
  • Accomplished pilot who volunteers with LightHawk, transporting endangered species
  • Philosophy on giving: "I want to get out and do some good"
  • Credits his upbringing in a philanthropic family for inspiring his commitment to charitable work

Benjamin F. Gayman - Secretary

Neither officer receives compensation for their roles in the foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This 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."

The foundation's website (https://twhfound.org/) currently displays a message indicating they are "focusing its time and attention on creating a new strategic direction" and planning to "relaunch the Foundation with a redefined mission and purpose." As of the current status, they are not accepting grant applications.

Getting on Their Radar

The Thomas W. Haas Foundation operates through trustee discretion, selecting organizations without a formal solicitation process. Given the foundation's current strategic repositioning, there is no established pathway for organizations to proactively approach the foundation at this time.

Prospective applicants should monitor the foundation's website (https://twhfound.org/) for updates on their strategic direction and any changes to their approach to identifying grantees.

Given founder Thomas Haas's demonstrated personal interests in sustainable food systems, wildlife conservation, and Seacoast area community organizations, organizations working in these areas and with connections to New Hampshire may align with the foundation's historical funding patterns.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Grants are made at the discretion of trustees throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation made 46 grants in 2024 and 37 grants in 2022, but does not track or publish application success rates as they do not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's invitation-only approach and current strategic transition, the following factors appear relevant based on available information:

Alignment with Founder's Interests: Thomas Haas has demonstrated personal commitment to:

  • Sustainable food systems and agriculture
  • Wildlife conservation and environmental protection
  • Local community services in the New Hampshire Seacoast region
  • Hands-on, action-oriented approaches (as evidenced by his quote: "I want to get out and do some good")

Geographic Considerations: While the foundation funds nationally, there appears to be particular interest in:

  • New Hampshire and Seacoast region organizations
  • Organizations working across multiple states on environmental or conservation issues

Foundation's Strategic Transition: The foundation has indicated they are working to become "focused and forthright about the initiatives and organizations we seek to support," suggesting future grantmaking may be more strategically defined than in the past.

Family Philanthropic Legacy: As part of a family with a strong tradition of institutional philanthropy (William Penn Foundation), the foundation may value:

  • Organizations with strong governance and sustainability
  • Long-term, strategic approaches to community challenges
  • Collaborative regional or national initiatives

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals and makes grants only to preselected organizations—do not submit applications
  • Strategic Transition Underway: The foundation is currently redefining its mission and purpose; their future funding priorities may differ from historical patterns
  • Monitor for Updates: Check the foundation's website periodically for announcements about their new strategic direction
  • Personal Interests May Guide Funding: Founder Thomas Haas has demonstrated commitment to sustainable food systems, wildlife conservation, and New Hampshire community organizations
  • Invitation-Only Model: Organizations are selected by trustees rather than through a competitive application process
  • Significant Capacity: With $168 million in assets and $16.8 million in annual charitable disbursements, this is a well-resourced foundation making substantial grants (averaging ~$166,000)
  • Geographic Reach: While based in New Hampshire, the foundation funds organizations across the United States

References

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