The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is a nonpartisan, private charitable foundation that advances ideas and supports institutions to promote a better world.

For 50 years, we have supported efforts to advance education for all, preserve the environment, improve lives and livelihoods in developing countries, promote the health and economic well-being of women, support vibrant performing arts, strengthen Bay Area communities, and make the philanthropy sector more effective.

The foundation was established in 1966 by engineer and entrepreneur William R. Hewlett and his wife, Flora Lamson Hewlett, with their eldest son, Walter Hewlett. Today, it is one of the largest philanthropic institutions in the United States, awarding roughly $400 million in grants in 2016 to organizations across the globe to help people build better lives. Our philanthropic approach, and our core areas of grantmaking, remain connected to the ethos and values of our founders.

Established through the personal generosity of the Hewlett family, the foundation is wholly independent of the Hewlett Packard Company and the Hewlett Packard Company Foundation.

Our Programs

We have long-standing programs that focus on education, environment, global development and population, performing arts, and effective philanthropy, as well as support for disadvantaged communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition, we make grants for special projects and address other timely problems, such as challenges related to cybersecurity and U.S. democracy.

Priorities as a partner of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation recognises the need for accurate data and the need for a Global Partnership on Sustainable Development Data to realise a change in the way that data is invested in, produced, and used. The Foundation recognises that the Secretariat is a critical hub for coordinating and facilitating the work of the Global Partnership. That is why The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation has committed funding for start-up support of the Secretariat for a Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data.