The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation is an American non-profitcharitablefoundation, 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]
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.
The foundation partners with organizations in Los Angeles County to build permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.
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 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]
