The mission of the Hearst Foundations is to identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States can build healthy, productive, and satisfying lives. The Foundations support well-established nonprofit organizations that address significant issues within culture, education, health, and social service, primarily serving large demographic and/or geographic constituencies. They prioritize organizations achieving truly differentiated results, with an emphasis on sustainability beyond their support.
The Hearst Foundations' Health Grant aims to support leading regional hospitals, medical centers, and specialized medical institutions that offer healthcare access to high-need populations. It addresses the healthcare professional shortage by funding programs that enhance skills and increase the number of healthcare practitioners and educators. Additionally, it supports public health, medical research, and the development of young investigators to broadly and enduringly impact the nation's health. About 30% of the Foundations' total funding is allocated to health initiatives, with a preference for organizations with budgets over $10 million. The minimum grant size is $100,000, with 80% of health funding going to prior grantees and 20% aimed at new grantees. The support includes program, capital, and limited endowment funds.