William & Flora Hewlett Foundation

13 survey respondents

Location: 2121 Sand Hill Rd, Menlo Park, 94025 CA

EIN: 94-1655673

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69%

31%

What was the overall relationship with the funder?

How many hours did the grant application process take?

15 hours

Median

63%

38%

How would you rate this funder's accessibility?

59%

41%

How successfully do you think the funder is accomplishing its current philanthropic goals?

Important Information

2017 Deadlines:

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Interests/Priorities

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Financial Summary

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Amount of Grants to Minnesota Nonprofits:

Sample Grants to Minnesota Nonprofits in

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Top descriptors for this funder

7Positive leader in the field6Builds relationships6Insightful5"Gets" nonprofits and issues5Gives more than money5Responsive4Culturally sensitive4Friendly4Worth the time to pitch3Risk taker2Bureaucratic2Culturally incompetent

Advice from a Friend

William & Flora Hewlett Foundation

Oct 19, 2021 1

Grant Applicant - applied in 2018

Keep in mind that this funder is almost always in a state of strategic planning and will regularly shift the funding focus of smaller grants to suit that never-ending process. They have a portfolio of long-term grantees that they prioritize over proactive funding, so gauge the amount of time you might have to put into their application process if you are a new applicant or a small org. And if you're a BIPOC-let org, you might focus applying elsewhere.

Cons

Inadvertently exerts negative influence in the field, Culturally incompetent, Bureaucratic, Risk averse

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Oct 16, 2020 3

Grant Applicant - applied in 2020

This funder is a caricature of inefficient philanthropy, and tends to spends its time and resources theorizing instead of deploying resources to empower the field to get work done - program officers are out of touch, grants are absurdly time consuming for GOS awards, and their COVID19 response has been disappointing (please - stop sending me newsletters with helpful resources and just award the full amount of my multiyear grant...). Staff are kind and thoughtful people who are intelligent and have good intentions and promptly respond to emails and calls.

Pros

Friendly

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Jan 27, 2020 3

Reviewer 1404 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017

I have found the 3 program officers at Hewlett that I've worked with to be out of touch, arrogant, and ineffectual grantmakers.

The program officers have pet projects and theories of change that are immovable. The program officers rarely attend community events or educational events to learn what is going on in the real world.


Cons

Inadvertently exerts negative influence in the field, Doesn't "get" nonprofits and issues, Culturally incompetent

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Oct 02, 2019

Grant Applicant - applied in 2018

Agree with a previous poster that the program staff is condescending. This foundation is publicly self-congratulatory in ways that are entirely unjustified. The process was arduous in unnecessary ways, some of the staff (not all) unpleasant--diffident, smug--and general operating was certainly not part of the deal, though I see press releases claiming that providing it is a basic part of their philosophy.

Cons

Doesn't "get" nonprofits and issues, Difficult to work with, Bureaucratic, Risk averse

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Apr 01, 2019

Reviewer 4446 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017

Important to establish relationships with program officers who are highly skilled in each repertoire. Submit proposals for review and take notes seriously. Incredibly flexible and smart. Leaders in the field.

Pros

Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive

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Aug 29, 2017 2

Grant Applicant - applied in 2017

Build relationships with Hewlett staff, especially program staff as their contracts with the foundation dictate that they must leave after 7-8 years. For that reason, get to know the administrative staff as well because they hold a lot of organizational memory.

Pros

Positive leader in the field, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships

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Aug 29, 2017 1

Reviewer 718 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2014

They are a progressive funder and their Program Officers are thoughtful, helpful, and trusting.

Pros

Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive

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Aug 28, 2017 2

Grant Applicant - applied in 2016

Get ready for a big dose of rude and condescending. You'll have to play this one right to get the grant. The team is beyond arrogant and immune to curiosity. I was a grant maker at a major national foundation doing more annually than Hewlett in total and tried very hard not to abuse my position. But the Hewlett team spoke constantly about being "laser focused," which it defined as being "we want results that confirm our own attitudes." The foundation's addiction to meandering thought and ridiculous maps of ecosystems and models of democratic renewal that were barely explainable, let alone accurate. No anticipation of what's been happening whatsoever. I'm actually disgusted to tell colleagues that I have funding from Hewlett.

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Aug 17, 2017

Reviewer 985 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017

There are very smart people working at this organization who are willing to help. Their channels of communication are open--don't be afraid to ask what you want to know, and be open about the challenges your organization faces.

Pros

Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive

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Jul 20, 2017

Reviewer 379 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017

They are very thorough and expect you to be as well. Really take the time to thoughtfully craft your goals and anticipated outcomes and be realistic in stating them, because they are carefully compared from year to year (typically multi-year grants).

Pros

Positive leader in the field, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive

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William & Flora Hewlett Foundation