Conrad N. Hilton Foundation

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
Founded1944
FounderConrad Hilton
TypePrivate foundation
(IRS status): 501(c)(3)
PurposeImproving the lives of individuals living in poverty and experiencing disadvantage.
Location
MethodEndowment
Key people
Linda Hilton, chairman of the board
Peter Laugharn, president and CEO
Endowment$7.1 billion USD[1]
Websitewww.hiltonfoundation.org

The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation is an American non-profit charitable foundation, established in 1944 by hotel entrepreneur Conrad Hilton. It remained relatively small until his death on January 3, 1979, when it was named the principal beneficiary of his estate. In 2007, Conrad's son, Barron Hilton announced that he would leave about 97% of his fortune[2] to a charitable remainder unitrust which names the foundation as the remainder beneficiary.[2][3]

Financial information

The foundation's assets, as of December 2023, were approximately $7.1 billion.[4] Since inception, the foundation has awarded more than $3.6 billion in grants. In 2024, the foundation paid out nearly $300 million in grants.[5]

Initiatives

The foundation's mission is derived from the last will and testament of Conrad Hilton that directs the organization to "relieve the suffering, the distressed, and the destitute."[6] The foundation invests in seven initiatives: Catholic sisters, Refugees, Safe Water, Foster Youth, Opportunity Youth, Early Childhood Development, and Homelessness, as well as in additional focus areas of disaster relief and recovery[7] and aviation.[8][9]

Catholic Sisters

The Hilton Foundation Catholic Sisters initiative is focused on recognizing Catholic sisters as leaders in the human development field by supporting organizations and congregations in the United States and Africa.

Refugees

This initiative works with partners to support solutions facing refugees, migrants and host communities.

Early Childhood Development

Supporting children and caregivers to enable healthy development.

Foster Youth

This initiative works with nonprofit organizations in Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York to provide assistance to transition age youth ages 14–26 as they age out of the foster care system.

Homelessness

The foundation partners with organizations in Los Angeles County to build permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.

Opportunity Youth

Working with organizations in New Orleans, Los Angeles, Mexico City and Mombasa to offer education, skills training and support.

Safe Water

Working with international nonprofits and government agencies in Ethiopia, Ghana and Uganda to build water systems.

Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize

The Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize is awarded annually by the foundation. It was inaugurated in 1996 and is the largest humanitarian award in the world. Its initial annual award of USD1.5 million was increased in 2015 to $2 million to commemorate its 20th Hilton Humanitarian Prize laureate, Landesa,[10] and in 2020 the prize award was increased to $2.5 million.[11]

Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize Laureates

Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize Jury

Leadership

Conrad Hilton's granddaughter, Linda Hilton, became chair of the board January 2024, superseding Hawley Hilton McAuliffe.[22] Prior leadership includes former chair of the board Steven M. Hilton who started working at the foundation in 1983 and served as its CEO from 2005 to 2015.[23] Hilton retired as president and CEO, and was succeeded by Peter Laugharn.[24][25] In his retirement announcement, Hilton said, “When I joined the Hilton Foundation in 1983, I couldn’t imagine the path that lay ahead. At that time, a handful of staff guided about $6 million in grants annually. Fast forward to today, and we have grown to a staff of over 50 and have awarded over a billion dollars in grants to improve the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people around the world.”[26] Peter Laugharn began his tenure as president and CEO on January 1, 2016.[27]

Board of directors

As of August 2025[28]

  • Linda Hilton (chair), 2014–
  • Justin McAuliffe (vice chair), 2019–
  • Beverly Hilton-Neapolitan, 2024–
  • Conrad N. Hilton III, 2001–
  • James R. Galbraith, 1989–
  • John L. Notter. 2005–
  • Louise Nelson, PBVM, 2024–
  • Matthew J. Hart, 2024–
  • Michael O. Hilton, 2017–
  • Sister Joyce Meyer, PBVM, 2009–
  • Hawley Hilton McAuliffe (director emerita) 2006–
  • Steven M. Hilton (director emeritus)

References

  1. ^ "Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Financials and Investments". Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.
  2. ^ a b "Barron Hilton to Donate 97% of Estate to Hilton Foundation". Planned Giving Design Center, LLC. December 26, 2007. Archived from the original on March 19, 2011. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
  3. ^ "Hilton fortune to go to charity". BBC News.
  4. ^ Roberts, Andrea Suozzo, Alec Glassford, Ash Ngu, Brandon (2013-05-09). "Conrad N Hilton Foundation - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. Retrieved 2025-08-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ "FAQs". Hilton Foundation. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  6. ^ "Honoring the Donor: The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation". NCFP. 2021-01-05. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  7. ^ "Supporting the Hilton Foundation's flexible funding for disaster relief and recovery". Itad. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  8. ^ Staff, General Aviation News (2021-02-23). "99s, Women in Aviation awarded $750,000 in grants from Hilton Foundation — General Aviation News". Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  9. ^ "Our Initiatives". Hilton Foundation. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  10. ^ Candid. "Hilton Foundation Creates Humanitarian Network". Philanthropy News Digest (PND). Retrieved 2020-07-21.
  11. ^ "Forty Years After Conrad N. Hilton's Death, His Foundation Is Still Giving". Town & Country. 2020-10-22. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  12. ^ Caroline Bermudez, Charities That Support People With Mental Illness Win Hilton Prize, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, July 18, 2014
  13. ^ "$2 Million Hilton Prize To Be Awarded To Bangladesh Health Research Group" (PDF). The Beverly Hills Courier. August 25, 2017. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 25, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  14. ^ Ariella Phillips, Group Serving Kenya Slums Wins $2 Million Hilton Humanitarian Award, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, August 22, 2018
  15. ^ Helena Smith, [1], The Guardian, August 19, 2019
  16. ^ "Forty Years After Conrad N. Hilton's Death, His Foundation Is Still Giving". Town & Country. 2020-10-22. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  17. ^ "CAMFED". Hilton Foundation. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  18. ^ "The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Announces the Norwegian Refugee Council as the 2022 Recipient of the $2.5 Million Hilton Humanitarian Prize". Hilton Foundation. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  19. ^ "The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Announces One Acre Fund as 2023 Recipient of $2.5 Million Humanitarian Prize". Hilton Foundation. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  20. ^ "2024 Hilton Humanitarian Prize awarded to Amazon Frontlines". Philanthropy News Digest. Retrieved 2025-08-05.
  21. ^ "Life-saving landmines charity wins major prize". BBC. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  22. ^ "The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Welcomes Four New Members to the Board of Directors | FinancialContent". markets.financialcontent.com. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  23. ^ "Steve Hilton on the Hilton Humanitarian Prize—and Its Impact". The Bridgespan Group "Give Smart". 2013-04-16. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
  24. ^ "Head of Conrad Hilton Foundation to step down at the end of 2015". Los Angeles Times. 2014-03-25. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
  25. ^ "Peter Laugharn Named Chief Executive of Conrad N. Hilton Foundation". Chronicle of Philanthropy. 2015-05-20. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
  26. ^ "Steven M. Hilton To Step Down As President And CEO Of The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation". bhcourier.com. Archived from the original on 2014-04-07. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
  27. ^ Di Mento, Maria (May 20, 2015). "Peter Laugharn Named Chief Executive of Conrad N. Hilton Foundation". The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  28. ^ "The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Welcomes Four New Members to the Board of Directors | FinancialContent". markets.financialcontent.com. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
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