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HP Foundation

Annual Giving
$13.2M
Grant Range
$9K - $5.7M
Decision Time
4mo

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HP Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ~$13.2 million
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (invitation-only for most grants)
  • Decision Time: Varies by programme; Digital Equity Accelerator runs 6-month cycles
  • Grant Range: $9,000 - $5,700,000 (median: $334,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Global (48+ countries for grants via HP leaders; specific countries for Digital Equity Accelerator)

Contact Details

Overview

The HP Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organisation established in 1979 as the corporate foundation of HP Inc. (formerly Hewlett-Packard Company). The foundation holds approximately $74-83 million in assets and distributes approximately $13.2 million annually through strategic grants. The HP Foundation's mission focuses on supporting technology-related learning experiences and opportunities for underserved communities globally. Their strategic vision is to accelerate digital equity for 150 million people by 2030.

The foundation operates primarily through invitation-only grantmaking aligned with HP Inc.'s corporate social responsibility goals. Unlike many foundations, the HP Foundation explicitly states it does not accept unsolicited grant requests. However, they do operate one publicly accessible grant programme—the Digital Equity Accelerator—which has an annual competitive application process. HP's Social Impact Team was named TIME's 2023 Team of the Year in recognition of their work advancing digital equity. The foundation should not be confused with the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation or the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, which were founded by HP's co-founders but operate independently.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Digital Equity Accelerator ($100,000 grants + ~$100,000 HP technology)

  • Competitive annual programme supporting nonprofits advancing digital equity
  • 2024: 10 organisations in Brazil, Canada, and Poland received $1 million total
  • 2025: 8 organisations in Greece, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Spain selected
  • Future of Work Accelerator: Open to both nonprofits and for-profits; focused on U.S. organisations with AI/future of work training
  • Includes 6 months of capacity-building training, mentorship, and technical consultations

Grants via HP Leaders (Variable amounts)

  • Cash grants distributed by HP leaders and country managers to local nonprofits
  • 2023: Grants dispersed to nonprofits in 48 countries
  • Focus on technology purchases, connectivity access, and technology-related education
  • Invitation-only; not open to unsolicited applications

40 Days of Doing Good Grants (Up to $10,000)

  • Grants awarded to charities supporting digital equity during HP's annual volunteer campaign
  • Connected to employee volunteering initiatives
  • April to May annual campaign

Disaster Relief Grants (Variable; e.g., $100,000 to American Red Cross for Maui wildfires)

  • Real-time relief support when disasters occur
  • Employee donation matching campaigns
  • Grants to on-the-ground agencies for food, medicine, and shelter distribution

Strategic Programme Partnerships ($1-5+ million grants)

  • Girl Rising: Multi-year partnership to empower 10 million students and teachers (launched 2019)
  • NABU: Literacy access initiative
  • Aspen Institute: $1.9 million (2023)
  • Charities Aid Foundation of America: $1.6 million (2023)

Priority Areas

  • Digital equity and inclusion for underserved populations
  • Science, engineering, technology, and medicine (STEM) education
  • Programmes bridging sciences and humanities
  • Technology access for historically disconnected communities
  • AI skills and future of work readiness
  • Literacy and educational access
  • Gender equity in technology (e.g., girls in STEM)
  • Economic opportunity through digital skills

What They Don't Fund

  • Organisations not tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3)
  • Individuals
  • Sectarian or denominational groups
  • Churches, religious programmes, or seminaries
  • Fraternal organisations
  • Organisations practising or promoting discriminatory or partisan policies
  • Political activities or advocacy
  • Causes offering specific direct benefits to grantors
  • Individual research projects
  • Organisations in U.S. trade embargo countries
  • Unsolicited grant requests (outside of Digital Equity Accelerator)

Governance and Leadership

Board Members

  • Matthew Buckley – Executive Director
  • Stephanie Bormann – Deputy Director
  • Phyllis Turner-Brim – Secretary
  • Barbara Barton-Weiszhaar – Treasurer
  • Kristen Ludgate – Board Member/Audit Chair
  • Alex Cho – Board Member
  • Ernest Nicols – Board Member
  • Stella Low – Board Member

All board members and officers receive no compensation from the foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For the Digital Equity Accelerator (Public Application Process): The Digital Equity Accelerator is the only HP Foundation programme with a competitive public application process. Key details:

  • Application Launch: Typically opens in January
  • Contact: accelerator@hp.com
  • Programme Orientation: Late April/early May at HP headquarters in Palo Alto, CA (in-person attendance required; travel stipend provided)
  • Programme Duration: 6-month virtual programme following orientation

For All Other Grants: The HP Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for grants or other support. The foundation explicitly states: "The HP Foundation's support is limited to grants that align with annually developed strategic initiatives. We are unable to accept unsolicited requests for grants or other support including technology donations."

For non-Accelerator grants, the foundation makes contributions to preselected charitable organisations only.

Digital Equity Accelerator Eligibility

Organisations must:

  1. Hold active legal registration as a not-for-profit organisation (Future of Work Accelerator also open to for-profits)
  2. Be capable of receiving funding from a U.S.-based 501(c)(3)
  3. Perform majority of work in the focus countries for that year's cohort
  4. Advance inclusive access to education and economic opportunities
  5. Focus on equipping historically disconnected youth and adults with critical skills
  6. Currently reach at least 25,000 beneficiaries annually (direct and/or indirect)
  7. Assign a primary English-fluent contact (programme delivered in English only)
  8. Have moved beyond the idea stage into execution with active programmes
  9. Preference given to organisations with AI solutions advancing digital equity (Future of Work Accelerator)

Decision Timeline

Digital Equity Accelerator:

  • Applications open: January
  • Cohort announced: April
  • Programme orientation: Late April/early May
  • Programme duration: 6 months (May-October approximately)
  • Impact reporting: At 6 months, 18 months, and 2.5 years post-programme

Reporting Requirements

Digital Equity Accelerator participants report on:

  • Direct and indirect reach at baseline, 6 months, 18 months, and 2.5 years post-programme
  • Participant outcomes and impact metrics (indicators vary by organisation type)

Application Success Factors

Digital Equity Accelerator Selection Criteria

Based on past cohort selections, successful applicants typically demonstrate:

Strong Existing Reach: Organisations must currently reach at least 25,000 beneficiaries annually. Past recipients include Access to Success Organisation, which aims to benefit 150,000 people with disabilities.

Digital Equity Focus: Alignment with HP's goal of accelerating digital equity for 150 million people by 2030. E4 Youth, a past recipient, "engages young people who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, empowering them with digital tools to tell their community's stories."

Scalable Impact: The Accelerator looks for organisations that can significantly expand reach. Chapter One Canada, a 2024 recipient, is "tripling the number of children receiving High Impact Tutoring at home, from 500 to 1,500 students."

Technology Integration: Organisations leveraging technology for social impact. Solve Education Foundation (2025 cohort) operates an "AI-powered learning platform, edbot.ai."

Focus on Underserved Populations: E-Stem (Girls in STEM), a past recipient, provides "women and girls with tools to help them pursue careers in science and technology."

Past Successful Recipients Include:

  • Chapter One Canada (2024): Literacy tutoring organisation
  • Access to Success Organisation: Accessibility-focused startups
  • E4 Youth: Digital storytelling for BIPOC youth
  • E-Stem/Girls in STEM: Women and girls in technology
  • Solve Education Foundation (2025): AI-powered learning platform
  • Jays Care Foundation (2024): Youth development through sports and e-learning
  • Socialinnov (2025, Greece): Digital skills training for 40,000+ people

Getting on Their Radar (for Strategic Partnerships)

Since the HP Foundation primarily operates through invitation-only strategic grantmaking outside the Accelerator, organisations interested in potential partnership should:

  • Attend HP-sponsored events: HP participates in major digital equity and technology conferences globally
  • Engage with HP LIFE: The foundation's free training platform (hp.com/hplife) has 1.43 million enrolled learners; organisations using or promoting HP LIFE may gain visibility
  • Participate in BeChangeMaker: The annual social enterprise competition with WorldSkills International; top teams gain exposure to HP Foundation
  • Connect with HP employee volunteers: The 40 Days of Doing Good campaign and ongoing employee volunteering create touchpoints with HP and HP Foundation leadership
  • Demonstrate digital equity alignment: Organisations clearly advancing HP's 150 million people by 2030 goal are most likely to be identified for strategic partnership

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Digital Equity Accelerator is the only open application pathway: All other HP Foundation grants are invitation-only and unsolicited applications are not accepted
  • Future of Work Accelerator focuses on U.S. organisations with AI/future of work training focus: Open to both nonprofits and for-profits
  • Significant support beyond cash: Successful applicants receive $100,000 cash grant plus ~$100,000 in HP technology, plus 6 months of capacity-building training
  • Minimum beneficiary threshold: Organisations must currently serve at least 25,000 people annually to be eligible for the Accelerator
  • English fluency required: All programme activities are conducted in English
  • In-person orientation requirement: Selected organisations must send representatives to HP headquarters in Palo Alto, CA (travel stipend provided)
  • Long-term reporting commitment: Organisations commit to impact reporting for 2.5 years post-programme
  • Apply early in January: The application window typically opens in January; check hp.com/us-en/sustainable-impact/digital-equity/digital-accelerator.html for updates or email accelerator@hp.com with questions

References

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