Harden Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- If your organisation serves people in Monterey County, with particular priority for the Salinas Valley, and works in children, youth and families, senior citizens, health, agricultural education, animal welfare and the environment, or arts and culture, this foundation is worth approaching.
- Its grants have ranged from $5,000 to $100,000, and it considers one-time capital grants, special projects and operating support, though it discourages requests for ongoing operating support, so a modest, clearly scoped request is the realistic fit.
- Send your application by mail, drop-off or email (faxes are not accepted) before its March 1 or September 1 deadline, and confirm beforehand that you are current on reports for any previous grant.
- Applications are judged on their own merits for fit with its goals, and it may ask for more information or a site visit, so a clear case for fit matters more than any stated relationship.
- Do not apply if you lack current 501(c)(3) status, run sectarian religious programmes, seek endowment money, scholarships, research funding or support for individuals, want money for annual or fundraising events, or deliver services outside Monterey County.
Overview
Harden Foundation is a US private foundation based in Salinas, CA.
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 Harden Foundation supports tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organisations that provide services or programmes to people in Monterey County, with particular emphasis on the Salinas Valley. Its stated focus areas are children, youth and families; senior citizens; health; agricultural education; animal welfare and the environment; and arts and culture. Within those fields, it seeks to improve young people's wellbeing, strengthen families, develop individual self-reliance and health, and improve quality of life through cultural activities. It provides general and project support to a broad range of non-profits, considering one-time capital grants, special projects and operating support. Requests for ongoing operating support are discouraged.
Themes
- Children, Youth & Families
- Senior Citizens
- Health
- Agricultural Education
- Animal Welfare and Environment
- Arts & Culture
Geographic Focus
Monterey County. Priority: Salinas Valley.
What They Don't Fund
- Organizations that do not have a current 501(c)(3) status
- Organizations that support sectarian religious programs
- Creation or addition to endowments
- Annual events, conferences, or fundraising events
- Academic or medical research or scholarships to individuals
- Foundations or associations established for the benefit of an organization which receives substantial tax support
- Individuals
- Political parties, candidates or partisan political organizations or activities
- Organizations whose activities are located outside of Monterey County
- Organizations that do not provide services in Monterey County
How to apply
Applications may be mailed, dropped off or emailed to the Foundation; faxed applications are not accepted.
Deadlines: March 1 and September 1 each year.
Application success factors
What the foundation says:
- Applications are reviewed on their own merits for fit with the Foundation's goals.
- Applicants should be current on all reports due for previous grants.
- A Foundation representative may request additional information or schedule a site visit; a site visit does not guarantee funding approval.
Officers and directors
- Tom Bryan — Vice President & Treasurer
- Chris Dalman — Vice President / Secretary
- Lydia M Torres — Non-Voting / NBM
- Linda Taylor — President
- Mike Antle — Vice President
- Joseph C Grainger — Executive Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $3,664,931 | $3,056,000 | $71,117,165 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $6,014,898 | $3,758,391 | $70,688,757 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $5,167,524 | $4,191,600 | $74,689,170 | 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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Applying to Harden Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required