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Hughes Charitable Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.0M
Grant Range
$10K - $10.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,011,482 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-only process)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Varies widely - from smaller grants to multi-million dollar commitments (average ~$102,000 in 2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Wyoming (statewide)

Contact Details

Website: https://hughescf.org/

Location: Jackson, WY

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grants are by invitation only.

Overview

The Hughes Charitable Foundation was incorporated in 2020, though their philanthropic work in Wyoming began in 2017 when founder B. Wayne Hughes, Jr. purchased a home in Jackson Hole. Since then, the foundation has supported more than 300 Wyoming-based organizations, distributing over $25.8 million in grants since 2021. In 2023 alone, they awarded 59 grants totaling $6,011,482. The foundation is guided by the mission: "It's simple: We are called to help meet people's basic needs and bless them where they are." Their philanthropic approach centers on the "impact zone" concept—a surfing metaphor describing people trapped in cycles of crisis, addiction, and poverty who struggle to gain steady footing. The foundation focuses on supporting Wyoming's most vulnerable populations through organizations providing critical human services.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through an invitation-only model with no fixed grant programs or amounts. Grant sizes vary significantly based on project needs:

  • Major transformational gifts: $500,000 - $10,000,000 (e.g., $10 million to Teton County Housing Trust in 2021, $500,000 to Wyoming PBS in 2025)
  • Standard grants: Varies widely with average around $102,000 (based on 2023 data)
  • Annual WyoGives matching/incentive support: $1,000,000 annually distributed among participating nonprofits

Application Method: Invitation only - no public application process

Priority Areas

The foundation's philanthropy focuses on supporting:

  • Poor and hungry populations
  • Oppressed and imprisoned individuals
  • Housing insecure and homeless individuals
  • Veterans
  • Women and children
  • Indigenous communities

Specific program areas include:

  • Domestic violence support
  • Foster care services
  • Adults with disabilities
  • Community health and wellbeing
  • Food insecurity programs
  • Single mother support
  • At-risk youth programming
  • Faith-based initiatives
  • Arts and education
  • Community vibrancy
  • Animals and environment

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has not publicly disclosed specific exclusions, though their focus is clearly on Wyoming-based organizations serving vulnerable populations through direct human services.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

  • B. Wayne Hughes, Jr. - Chairman and Founder
  • Liz Brimmer - Treasurer
  • Jim Gersack - Board Member
  • Marilyn Kite - Board Member (Former Chief Justice of the Wyoming Supreme Court, 2010-2015; first woman to serve on Wyoming Supreme Court)
  • Kristen Crago - Board Member

Staff

  • Molly Hughes - Executive Director (also listed as President/Director in state filings)
  • Hunter Christensen - Senior Vice President
  • Brenna Jenkins - Executive Assistant

Leadership Philosophy

B. Wayne Hughes, Jr. on the foundation's focus: "The 'impact zone' is a surfing metaphor describing waves that are insurmountable. Many people live in the impact zone—they are challenged with one major crisis after another, and struggle to gain steady footing."

On housing and community workers: "It is imperative that we stand for, protect and support our health and human services community – and our firefighters, law enforcement and healthcare workers – by building housing for them. Without them, we live in a completely different place."

On the moral imperative to help: "And to those that say 'the problem cannot be solved so why try?' — they need to look into their hearts and realize that 'There, but for the grace of God, go I.'"

Molly Hughes on their guiding principle: "We are guided by the golden rule: love your neighbor as yourself."

On WyoGives support: "We were confident that this support would empower these inspiring and resourceful organizations to continue serving the population of our home state."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Hughes Charitable Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation operates by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited applications. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the board and leadership team based on relationships, community awareness, and strategic priorities identified by the foundation.

Organizations should not submit applications unless specifically invited to do so by the foundation.

Getting on Their Radar

The Hughes Charitable Foundation identifies potential grantees through:

  • Community relationships and networks: The foundation actively engages with Wyoming's nonprofit sector through participation in events like WyoGives, where they provide major matching/incentive support. Being an active participant in Wyoming's nonprofit community increases visibility.

  • Direct community engagement: The foundation appears to learn about needs through conversations with community leaders and service providers. For example, their $10 million housing grant emerged from conversations with local human service organizations about workforce housing challenges.

  • Sector-specific focus: Organizations serving the foundation's priority populations (vulnerable individuals, human service workers, Indigenous communities, etc.) in Wyoming are most likely to be considered.

  • WyoGives participation: The foundation has provided $1 million annually to support WyoGives, Wyoming's statewide giving day. Active participation in this event may increase organizational visibility with the foundation.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed and likely vary significantly based on grant size and strategic fit. The foundation appears to make both rapid response grants and longer-term strategic investments.

Success Rates

Not applicable given the invitation-only model. The foundation awarded 59 grants in 2023 and 56 in 2022, suggesting highly selective grantmaking focused on strategic impact.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. Given the invitation-only model, there is no formal reapplication process.

Application Success Factors

Given the invitation-only nature of this funder, there is no formal application to optimize. However, organizations that align with the foundation's documented priorities and approach are more likely to be considered:

Alignment with "Impact Zone" Philosophy

The foundation is specifically focused on organizations helping people trapped in cycles of crisis. Organizations should demonstrate how they serve populations facing "insurmountable waves"—repeated major crises that prevent stability. The foundation values work that provides both immediate basic needs support and pathways to thriving.

Direct Service to Vulnerable Populations

The foundation prioritizes organizations directly helping Wyoming's most vulnerable residents. From their funded examples:

  • Teton County Housing Trust (addressing housing crisis for human service workers)
  • Senior Center of Jackson Hole
  • Community Safety Network (domestic violence services)
  • Teton Youth and Family Services
  • Community Entry Services

Faith and Values Alignment

The foundation explicitly states they are "energized by love and faith" and guided by "love thy neighbor as yourself." While not exclusively funding faith-based organizations, they value a mission-driven, compassionate approach to service.

Systemic Impact Potential

Their largest grants address systemic challenges: the $10 million housing grant tackles workforce retention in human services; the $1 million WyoGives support strengthens Wyoming's entire nonprofit ecosystem. They appear interested in investments that strengthen community infrastructure, not just individual programs.

Wyoming Connection

All funding appears focused on Wyoming-based organizations serving Wyoming residents. Statewide reach is valued—they support organizations across all Wyoming counties, not just Jackson Hole/Teton County.

Demonstrated Community Trust

Organizations that are recognized by peers and community leaders as essential services appear more likely to receive support. The foundation learns about needs through community conversations and relationships.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: Do not submit unsolicited proposals. Focus instead on building organizational reputation and visibility within Wyoming's nonprofit sector.

  • "Impact zone" resonates: If your work serves people trapped in cycles of crisis—addiction, poverty, homelessness, domestic violence—emphasize how you help people gain steady footing and move toward thriving.

  • Scale varies dramatically: Be prepared for grants ranging from standard support (~$100k average) to transformational multi-million dollar investments if addressing systemic community challenges.

  • Wyoming focus is absolute: This is a Wyoming funder supporting Wyoming organizations serving Wyoming residents. Statewide reach and impact are valued.

  • Human services are the core: While they support arts, education, and environment, the foundation's primary passion is organizations meeting basic human needs for vulnerable populations.

  • Participate in WyoGives: The foundation's significant annual support of this statewide giving day suggests they value organizations actively engaged in Wyoming's broader nonprofit community.

  • Workforce and sustainability matter: The housing grant demonstrates concern for ensuring human service organizations can retain staff. They understand that helping vulnerable populations requires supporting the organizations and workers who serve them.

References

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