Hamilton Family Charitable Trust
At a glance
Key takeaways
- The Trust's stated focus is literacy, career readiness and social-emotional learning for K–12 students from under-resourced educational settings, and its stated geographic focus is Philadelphia, Chester, Montgomery, Delaware, Camden, Palm Beach County and Aquidneck Island, so a programme in one of those areas and themes is worth an enquiry.
- Its first-time grants are up to $25,000 for a single programme and are generally for programme support rather than new staff posts, so a modest, programme-based request is the realistic fit.
- Begin with a Letter of Intent, since the Trust reviews it before inviting a full application and an invitation is not guaranteed; the filing says its approach centres on evidence of programme success and educational outcomes, so the letter should show measurable results.
- The Trust accepts requests three times a year, so plan the Letter of Intent around one of those fixed deadlines.
- Do not apply if your work is capital projects, human services, support for individuals, college or university programmes, or religious education, as the filing lists these as not funded.
Overview
Hamilton Family Charitable Trust is a US private foundation based in Wayne, PA.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Trust funds programmes that build literacy, workplace and social-emotional skills, helping students achieve academically as they prepare for meaningful careers. Its grants support non-profit organisations serving children and young people in grades K–12 from under-resourced educational environments. In the Philadelphia region, Palm Beach County and Aquidneck Island, it looks for data-driven literacy programmes with a strong record of improving reading and writing, as well as youth workforce development focused on career exploration and preparation. Programmes may take place during school hours, after school or in summer. Aquidneck Island eligibility also includes recreational programmes with a strong academic component. Its approach centres on evidence of programme success and educational outcomes.
Themes
- Literacy
- Career readiness
- Social-emotional learning
Geographic Focus
Philadelphia; Chester; Montgomery; Delaware; Camden; Palm Beach County; Aquidneck Island.
What They Don't Fund
- Individuals
- Capital Projects
- Human Services
- Programs focusing on/serving: school assembly, religious education, or college or university students
- Endowment funds
- Other foundations or family trusts
- Entry fees for museums or other cultural institutions
- Projects with unpaid teaching artists
- Political candidates, parties, or PACs
- Debt-reduction programs
- College programs
How to apply
Organisations begin with a Letter of Intent (LOI). The Trust reviews and approves it before inviting an organisation to complete the full application; submitting an LOI does not guarantee an invitation.
Deadlines: The Trust accepts requests for funding three times per year.
Application success factors
What the foundation says:
- The Trust favours data-driven literacy programmes focused on robust reading and writing skills and a strong history of success.
- It prioritises youth workforce development focused on quality career exploration and preparation.
- First-time grants are generally for programme support; the Trust rarely funds new staff positions for initial grants.
- Multi-year requests are typically reserved for grantees with at least three consecutive years of funding and require prior approval.
- Grantees must complete required reports before the Trust can process subsequent proposals or renewal requests.
Officers and directors
- Dana M Henzler — Secretary
- Susan R Murray — Assistant Treasurer
- Chekemma Fulmore - Townsend — President
- Francis J Mirabello — Trustee
- Barbara R Cobb — Treasurer, Trustee
- S Matthews V Hamilton JR — Co-Vice Chair, Trustee
- Nathaniel P Hamilton — Co-Vice Chair, Trustee
- Margaret H Duprey — Board Chair, Trustee
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $14,124,231 | $10,514,996 | $198,372,007 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $16,714,616 | $12,955,497 | $253,714,916 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $21,752,732 | $16,994,495 | $306,703,477 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to Hamilton Family Charitable Trust?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (610) 293-2225
- oe@hfctrust.org
- CTOWNSEND@HFCTRUST.ORG
- Wayne, PA
- hfctrust.org
Applying to Hamilton Family Charitable Trust?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (610) 293-2225
- oe@hfctrust.org
- CTOWNSEND@HFCTRUST.ORG
- Wayne, PA
- hfctrust.org