Hill Snowdon Foundation

## Approach Strategy

The Hill-Snowdon Foundation (HSF) is a private family foundation established in 1959 by Arthur B. Hill, based in Washington, DC. For its first 40 years it operated as a traditional "kitchen table" family foundation managed by volunteers. A transformative shift began in 1998 when the foundation partnered with the Tides Foundation, and by 2004 it expanded to full professional staffing under the leadership of President Elizabeth Snowdon Bonner. This evolution repositioned HSF from a conventional charity funder to a justice-centered organizing funder. HSF's core theory of change centers on community organizing as the most effective vehicle for systemic change — the belief that low-income people and communities of color must proactively define the society they want and work collectively to achieve it. This distinguishes HSF from service-delivery foundations; HSF explicitly funds power-building and systems change rather than direct services. The foundation directs 60-70% of its grant funding to the U.S. South, recognizing this region as both historically underinvested in organizing infrastructure and critical to national social justice outcomes. HSF also maintains a dedicated Fund for DC (launched 2006) to strengthen community organizing infrastructure in its home city, and has an ongoing interest in organizing within Native American communities. The foundation maintains a lean operation with a small staff, which shapes its invitation-only grantmaking model. Leadership includes Elizabeth Bonner (President), Ashley Blanchard (Vice President), and Andrew Snowdon (Treasurer), maintaining family governance while operating with professional management.

## Funding Patterns

HSF distributed approximately $3.18 million across 165 grants in 2024, maintaining consistent giving levels that have ranged from 165-194 awards annually since 2020. The typical grant size ranges from $15,000 to $40,000, with major programmatic grants reaching $70,000-$100,000. The foundation mostly makes general operating support grants — a deliberate choice reflecting its trust-based philanthropy approach that allows grantees maximum flexibility. HSF enforces an eight-year time limit on major grants, which prevents dependency while ensuring organizations have meaningful runway to achieve impact. The foundation holds approximately $38.7 million in assets and reported revenue of $5.78 million in 2020 with expenses of $4.9 million, suggesting a payout rate exceeding the required 5% minimum for private foundations. HSF's grantmaking operates on a May/November cycle, providing two entry points per year for funded organizations. Beyond standard grantmaking, HSF operates several strategic funding vehicles: the Opportunity and Capacity Building Fund provides $7,500 rapid-response grants to existing partners for urgent needs between cycles; the Making Black Lives Matter Initiative committed $5.5 million over 5.5 years to Black-led organizing following 2020; and the Protect, Build and Block Initiative (launched 2025) dedicates $1 million annually through 2028 to defend threatened communities and partners. These layered funding mechanisms demonstrate HSF's responsiveness to changing political conditions while maintaining core programmatic focus.

## Peer Comparison

HSF occupies a distinctive niche among private foundations focused on social justice organizing, particularly in the U.S. South.

HSF's peer cohort includes the five-foundation "Defending the Dream Fund" collaboration (General Service Foundation, Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation, Whitman Institute, and UU Veatch Program). Within this peer set, HSF's distinctive value is its deep Southern organizing focus — while larger foundations like Marguerite Casey and Surdna also fund economic justice nationally, HSF's concentrated 60-70% allocation to the South provides specialized expertise and relationships in a region where organizing infrastructure remains underbuilt. HSF's $3.2 million annual grantmaking is modest by national standards but punches above its weight through strategic concentration and long-term grantee relationships.

## Recent Activity

The most significant recent development is HSF's launch of the Protect, Build and Block Initiative in 2025, committing $1 million annually through 2028 to support partners facing threats and to defend targeted communities. This initiative represents a direct response to the shifting political landscape and signals HSF's willingness to adapt its grantmaking to protect existing organizing gains. The initiative adds to HSF's layered funding approach alongside its ongoing Making Black Lives Matter commitment (which permanently increased annual grants by $500,000 for racial equity work). In 2024, the foundation maintained robust giving at $3.18 million across 165 awards — consistent with its 165-194 grant range since 2020. The foundation continues to operate under the leadership of Elizabeth Snowdon Bonner as President, with Ashley Blanchard as Vice President, maintaining a small but professionally staffed operation. HSF's collaborative funder work continues through the Defending the Dream Fund partnership with General Service Foundation, Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation, Whitman Institute, and UU Veatch Program, supporting grassroots engagement for inclusive democracy. The foundation also participated in a DC-area funder workshop with the Meyer Foundation, Weissberg Foundation, Pinkhouse Foundation, Consumer Health Foundation, and Diverse City Fund to deepen understanding of community organizing and racial equity intersections. Notable grantees in recent cycles include Bread for the City, ONE DC, Washington Interfaith Network, African Community Together, Los Angeles Black Worker Center, Step Up Louisiana Workers Fund, Black Organizing Project, Jews United for Justice, and Assata's Daughters.

## Application Tips

HSF does not accept unsolicited proposals, making relationship-building and network positioning the critical factors for prospective applicants. Here are strategic approaches for organizations seeking HSF funding:

1. Secure a referral from an existing partner: HSF explicitly states that "it is always better if you come on the referral of one of our grassroots, funder or other partners." Organizations should identify and build relationships with current HSF grantees (Bread for the City, ONE DC, Los Angeles Black Worker Center, etc.) or funder partners (General Service Foundation, Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation) who can provide warm introductions.

2. Demonstrate organizing, not service delivery: HSF's theory of change is rooted in community organizing and power-building. Organizations that primarily deliver direct services (food banks, shelters, job training) will not align with HSF's funding priorities. Applicants should be able to articulate how their work builds collective power among low-income people and communities of color to create systemic change.

3. Focus on the South or DC: With 60-70% of funds directed to the U.S. South and a dedicated Fund for DC, organizations based in or serving these regions have the strongest geographic alignment. Organizations in the Southwest and those working with Native American communities also have strategic fit.

4. Align with current priority initiatives: The Protect, Build and Block Initiative (2025-2028) and the Making Black Lives Matter commitment represent active funding streams. Organizations doing Black-led organizing, defending targeted communities, or building movement infrastructure are particularly well-positioned.

5. Plan for general operating support: HSF mostly makes general support grants, which means they value organizational strength and mission alignment over specific project proposals. Organizations should emphasize their track record, community reputation, leadership quality, and documented success metrics rather than one-off project designs.

6. Respect the eight-year limit and timing: Major HSF grants have an eight-year cap, so organizations should plan for eventual transition. Grantmaking decisions occur on May and November cycles — time outreach accordingly. The $7,500 Opportunity and Capacity Building Fund is available to existing partners for urgent needs between cycles.

7. Build media presence and document impact: HSF values organizations with strong community reputations and documented success metrics. Maintain a visible public presence and be prepared to demonstrate concrete outcomes from organizing work.