The Hite Foundation Inc.

The Hite Foundation Inc. is a private grantmaking foundation based in Melville, New York, established by Lawrence D. Hite in 1987 with the mission of assisting various cultural and humanitarian causes. The foundation holds approximately $15.1 million in total assets.

The foundation focuses on two primary areas: child welfare and 19th century British photography. Grants are primarily directed to organizations in the New York City metropolitan area. The foundation is notably connected to the New York Philharmonic — board member Sharon Hite also serves on the NY Philharmonic's board.

Note: The previously listed website (thehite.org) was found to belong to an unrelated museum programming catalog and has been removed from the foundation's record. The foundation does not appear to maintain a public website.

The Hite Foundation distributes grants across cultural and humanitarian causes with a focus on child welfare and 19th century British photography. Key financial data from the most recent filing (fiscal year ending June 2024):

• Revenue: $629,566
• Expenses: $795,409
• Charitable Disbursements: $733,192 (92.2% of expenses)
• Total Assets: $15,148,185
• Total Liabilities: $0

The foundation made 13 grants in its most recent year. Revenue sources included contributions ($100,000), investment income ($37,935), and other income ($466,892). Historically, the foundation has distributed between $308,000 and $923,000 annually. All officers, including founder Lawrence D. Hite, receive $0 in compensation.

Leadership includes Lawrence D. Hite (President), Alex Greyserman (Treasurer), Sharon Hite (Director), and Simon Levin (Secretary).

The following table compares The Hite Foundation with similarly-sized private foundations in New York:

The Hite Foundation operates at a scale consistent with other mid-sized New York private foundations in the $15M asset range. Its charitable disbursement rate of approximately 4.8% of assets ($733K on $15.1M) is close to the 5% minimum distribution requirement for private foundations. The Hampson Albert Sisler Foundation shares a similar arts/culture orientation.

In fiscal year 2024 (ending June), The Hite Foundation reported $629,566 in revenue and $795,409 in expenses, with charitable disbursements of $733,192 representing 92.2% of total expenses. The foundation maintains $15.1 million in assets with zero liabilities.

Historically, the foundation has maintained assets between $6-15 million since 2011, with a notable jump in recent years. In 2023, contributions reached $1.8 million, though 2024 saw significantly lower contribution activity ($100,000). The foundation continues to support the NY Philharmonic and organizations working in child welfare and 19th century British photography.

The foundation does not maintain a public website. The previously associated domain (thehite.org) was found to belong to an unrelated museum programming database created by a Columbia University affiliate.

For Prospective Grantees:

1. No public website or application portal exists. The Hite Foundation does not appear to maintain a public-facing website with application instructions.

2. Focus areas are narrow: The foundation concentrates on child welfare and 19th century British photography. Organizations outside these areas are unlikely to receive funding.

3. Geographic focus is NYC metro: Grants are primarily directed to organizations in the New York City metropolitan area.

4. Small grant portfolio: With 13 grants made last year and $733K in total disbursements, the average grant size is approximately $56,000.

5. Research IRS filings: Since no website exists, prospective grantees should review the foundation's 990-PF filings on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (EIN: 22-2856867) to identify past grantees and funding patterns.

6. NY Philharmonic connection: Sharon Hite serves on both the foundation board and the NY Philharmonic board, suggesting arts/music organizations with connections to the Philharmonic ecosystem may be well-positioned.