The Harman Family Foundation aims to support programs in the Washington, DC region and New York City that intersect arts and youth development, improve educational opportunities for middle to high school students, and facilitate post-secondary success for underserved youth. The foundation also focuses on building the capacities of community nonprofits and promoting philanthropy through initiatives like the Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington.
The Harman Family Foundation Grant focuses on funding programs that target the intersection of arts and youth development, enhance educational opportunities for middle to high school students, and support post-secondary and career achievements for underserved youth up to age 25 in low-income communities, primarily in the Washington, DC region and New York City. Smaller grant programs extend to Boston and Los Angeles, emphasizing youth development through arts. The foundation also dedicates resources to capacity building for community-based nonprofits and initiatives that promote philanthropy. An Emerging Challenges Fund is available to address social issues that are pressing to the board, such as family separation at the border, challenges to LGBTQ rights, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the COVID-19 pandemic.