The Hewlett Foundation

William was born in 1913 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where his father was a medical professor. He studied electrical engineering at Stanford University and MIT, where he met Packard. They founded Hewlett-Packard in 1939 in a garage in Palo Alto, California, with an initial capital of $53,812. In the same year, William and Flora married. Flora had been born in Berkeley, California in 1914 and was already actively engaged in environmentalism and education when they married, being a trustee of several religious institutions as well as a longstanding member of the Sierra Club, an environmental organization.  Hewlett-Packard was immensely successful. In 1966, William and Flora started the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. The Hewlett Foundation has since grown to become one of the largest philanthropic institutions in the United States, awarding over $516 million in grants in 2021. The Foundation’s grantmaking covers six main areas: education, environment, global development and population, performing arts, effective philanthropy, and cybersecurity. The Foundation also supports special projects that address emerging issues or cross-cutting themes.

The Hewlett Foundation

The Foundation’s history reflects its founders’ values and vision. In its early years, the Foundation focused on supporting educational institutions and programs in California, especially those related to science and engineering. In 1968, the Foundation helped create the Community Foundation Silicon Valley (now Silicon Valley Community Foundation), which aimed to foster local philanthropy and civic engagement. The Community Foundation has since become one of the largest community foundations in the country.

In 2000, the Foundation launched one of its most ambitious initiatives: Deeper Learning. This initiative sought to transform American education by promoting a more student-centered approach that fosters critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. The initiative has evolved into the Education Program of the Foundation which continues to support innovative educational practices and policies both nationally and internationally.

The Foundation has also made significant contributions to environmental causes, especially in addressing climate change and conserving biodiversity. In 2007, the Foundation initiated its Climate Change Initiative, which aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resilience to climate impacts. The Initiative has supported global climate policy, clean transportation, and energy efficiency projects. As of 2021, the Foundation has awarded over $400 million in grants for climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.

The Foundation has also announced its strategic priorities for the next decade: advancing economic mobility, combating climate change, and strengthening democracy. These priorities reflect the Foundation’s commitment to addressing some of the most urgent challenges facing humanity today. The Foundation has also pledged to enhance its diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in all aspects of its work.

However, the Hewlett Foundation has also faced some criticisms over its activities and investments. Some critics have questioned the Foundation’s use of offshore funds to invest in private equity firms that may have negative social and environmental impacts. The Foundation has defended its practices and policies as being consistent with its mission and values.

Ultimately, the Hewlett Foundation is a remarkable example of how philanthropy can create positive social change. Through its generous grantmaking over more than five decades, the Foundation has supported a variety of initiatives that have improved the well-being of millions of people and communities around the world. Besides providing financial support, the Foundation has also fostered collaboration and innovation among its grantees and partners.

Contributor: Dion McDougal