Starkey Hearing Foundation

## Approach Strategy

Starkey Hearing Foundation (SHF) is the charitable arm of Starkey Hearing Technologies, one of the largest American hearing aid manufacturers (Eden Prairie, MN, founded by William Austin). SHF's mission is "So the World May Hear" — historically known for high-profile celebrity giving events (fitting hearing aids on presidents, popes, and refugees with celebrities present), the foundation has pivoted dramatically since 2022 toward a new institutional strategy: establishing and operating three Starkey Hearing Institutes in the developing world by 2027 (Zambia is operational since 2016; Philippines launched 2024; El Salvador in development).

This is now primarily a private operating foundation with a global capacity-building mission, not a grant-making foundation. The foundation spends the vast majority of its budget on direct program operations ($2.9M in 2024 alone on the Philippines partnership).

External grants in 2024 ($270,920 total across 5 grants) were highly specific: audiology equipment/expansion funding at Minnesota children's hospitals and Philippines community ear health partnerships. These are mission-aligned institutional partnerships, not open grant competitions.

Practical access: The foundation is preselected and relationship-driven. Direct external applications are not encouraged. However, organizations working in audiology, hearing health, or disability services in Minnesota or in SHF's three target regions (Zambia, Philippines, El Salvador) may find partnership opportunities through the foundation's Partner Network (visible at starkeyhearingfoundation.org/partners).

## Funding Patterns

Starkey Hearing Foundation has undergone dramatic financial turbulence reflecting its transition from a high-volume direct-service model to a capacity-building institutional model.

Historical overview: - 2019: Assets $8.9M, contributions $17.9M, distributions $26.4M — peak direct-service era - 2020: Assets $3.9M, contributions $6.6M, distributions $11.3M — COVID-era contraction - 2021: Assets $3.6M, contributions $1.9M, distributions $951K - 2022: Assets $3.0M, contributions $1.3M, distributions $2.0M - 2023: Assets $2.9M, contributions $2.2M, distributions $2.1M - 2024: Assets $3.6M, contributions $4.8M, distributions $4.8M — rebound

External grants (2024): $270,920 total — Essentia Health Foundation $150K, Anargyroi FMS Foundation Philippines $63K, Gillette Children's Hospital Foundation $55K, Philippines MOU partner $1.7K, individual travel grant $860.

The dramatic decline from $26M in 2019 distributions to under $5M today reflects the end of the mass hearing-fitting events model (where Starkey would fly teams to developing countries, fit thousands with hearing aids in one event) and the shift to sustainable training programs. The foundation's revenue base has also contracted as celebrity-driven fundraising events declined.

## Peer Comparison

SHF is the most prominent US corporate foundation dedicated to global hearing health. Its unique position as an affiliate of Starkey Technologies (private company, ~$500M revenue) gives it access to hearing aid technology and audiologist volunteers that no pure philanthropic foundation can replicate. The transition to a capacity-building model aligns with WHO's global hearing health strategy emphasizing trained local professionals over episodic device-distribution events.

For organizations working in hearing health globally, SHF's partner network is more relevant than its grant program. SHF can provide technology partners, training frameworks, and institutional relationships in target regions.

## Recent Activity

2024 highlights: - Signed MOU with University of Santo Tomas (Philippines) to establish Certificate Course on Community Ear and Hearing Health using the WFA Community-Based Hearing Healthcare training model ($2.9M in program expenses) - External grant: Essentia Health Foundation (Duluth MN) $150,000 for audiology equipment — children's health audiology services in the Essentia East Region - External grant: Gillette Children's Hospital Foundation (St. Paul MN) $55,000 for audiology expansion at Maple Grove clinic - External grant: Anargyroi FMS Foundation (Philippines) $63,329 for Community Ear and Hearing Health Sponsorship - IRS ruling date: August 2023 (note — this may reflect a reorganization or reinstatement, the foundation is much older operationally)

The foundation's website (starkeyhearingfoundation.org) documents 103 graduates from 19 African countries at the Zambia institute, returning to their home communities to provide hearing services. The Philippines institute began graduating students in 2024.

Officers: Richard Brown (President/Board Chair), Gyl Kasewurm (VP/Vice Chair), Cindy Menges (VP of Advancement/Secretary), John Fox (Treasurer). Multiple directors including Bob Cohen, Sandi Young, Carla Rondeau.

## Application Tips

Grant applications are not the primary mode of engagement with Starkey Hearing Foundation. The foundation's $3.6M asset base is almost entirely consumed by its three operating hearing institutes. External grants represent less than $300K/year and go to specific institutional partners in Minnesota and the Philippines.

For organizations that may have genuine alignment:

1. Minnesota children's hospitals and audiology programs: Essentia Health Foundation and Gillette Children's Hospital have received grants for audiology equipment and expansion. Similar children's hospital audiology programs in the Upper Midwest seeking equipment funding may be able to approach SHF's partnerships team.

2. Philippines health organizations: The foundation has a formal partnership with University of Santo Tomas and other Manila-area institutions. Organizations working in community ear health in the Philippines should review the partner listing at starkeyhearingfoundation.org and reach out through formal partnership inquiry channels.

3. Zambia and Southern Africa hearing professionals: The Starkey Hearing Institute Zambia (Lusaka) has trained 103 students. Organizations supporting audiologist workforce development in Sub-Saharan Africa may find institutional collaboration opportunities.

4. El Salvador hearing health: The third institute is planned for El Salvador. Organizations with existing hearing health infrastructure in Central America may be early partners.

5. Planned giving donors: SHF actively solicits planned giving (the website has a dedicated "Planned Giving" section). Audiologists, hearing aid professionals, or individuals passionate about global hearing health access may consider legacy gifts.

Contact: starkeyhearingfoundation.org — website has contact form and partner inquiry. The organization is actively staffed.