Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
An American charitable foundation supporting programs intended to relieve poverty, vulnerability, displacement, homelessness, and other forms of human suffering.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation is an American philanthropic foundation established in 1944 by hotel entrepreneur Conrad Hilton. Its governing purpose derives from Hilton’s last will and testament, which directed the organization to help relieve the suffering of people who are distressed and destitute. Although created during Hilton’s lifetime, the foundation remained comparatively small for several decades. Its financial scale expanded substantially after Hilton died on January 3, 1979, when the organization became the principal beneficiary of his estate. The foundation is independent of Hilton Hotels & Resorts as an operating business. It uses its endowment to make grants and support partnerships with nonprofit organizations, governments, congregations, and other institutions. Its work is focused on populations facing persistent disadvantage rather than on commercial products or services. The foundation’s principal program areas are Catholic Sisters, Refugees, Safe Water, Foster Youth, Opportunity Youth, Early Childhood Development, and Homelessness. It also maintains additional interests in disaster relief and recovery and aviation. Its Catholic Sisters initiative supports Catholic sisters and related organizations in the United States and Africa, emphasizing their role as leaders in human development and community service. The Refugees program backs efforts addressing the needs of refugees, migrants, and host communities. Early Childhood Development focuses on children and caregivers and seeks to promote healthy early development. The Foster Youth program works with organizations in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York to assist young people approximately 14 to 26 years old as they transition out of the foster-care system. In Los Angeles County, the Homelessness initiative works with partners to expand permanent supportive housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness. The Opportunity Youth initiative supports education, job skills, and other forms of assistance for young people in New Orleans, Los Angeles, Mexico City, and Mombasa. The Safe Water initiative partners with international nonprofits and public agencies in Ethiopia, Ghana, and Uganda to develop and strengthen water systems. Disaster relief and recovery provide a further response capacity when communities face major emergencies, while aviation represents a specialized area of philanthropic attention. A prominent institution associated with the foundation is the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize. Introduced in 1996, the annual award recognizes organizations that have made significant contributions to alleviating human suffering. The prize began with an annual award of $1.5 million, rose to $2 million in 2015, and was increased to $2.5 million in 2020. The foundation describes it as the world’s largest humanitarian award. The foundation’s resources also grew through the Hilton family’s later estate planning. In 2007, Conrad Hilton’s son Barron Hilton announced plans to leave approximately 97 percent of his fortune to a charitable remainder unitrust naming the foundation as the remainder beneficiary. As of December 2023, the foundation reported assets of approximately $7.36 billion. Since its creation it has awarded more than $3.6 billion in grants, including nearly $300 million during 2024. Leadership has remained closely connected to the Hilton family while professional philanthropic management has expanded. Linda Hilton, Conrad Hilton’s granddaughter, became chair of the board in January 2024, succeeding Hawley Hilton McAuliffe. Steven M. Hilton, who joined the foundation in 1983, served as chief executive officer from 2005 through 2015 and later chaired the board. Peter Laugharn became president and chief executive officer on January 1, 2016. The foundation’s current identity combines family philanthropy, a large permanent endowment, grantmaking expertise, and long-term initiatives addressing vulnerable communities in the United States and internationally.
History
Conrad N. Hilton established the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation in 1944 as a charitable organization intended to continue his philanthropic commitments. The foundation’s mission is rooted in the charitable direction expressed in Hilton’s last will and testament: to relieve suffering and assist people who are distressed and destitute. Its early operations were modest compared with the institution it would eventually become. A decisive change occurred after Conrad Hilton died on January 3, 1979. The foundation was named the principal beneficiary of his estate, giving it a much larger financial base and allowing it to develop a more substantial grantmaking role. Over time, it evolved from a relatively small family charity into a major independent philanthropic institution supporting nonprofit and community-based work in the United States and internationally. The Hilton family continued to influence the foundation’s development. In 2007, Barron Hilton announced that approximately 97 percent of his fortune would be placed in a charitable remainder unitrust for which the foundation was designated as the remainder beneficiary. This arrangement represented a further long-term expansion of the foundation’s potential resources. The foundation’s grantmaking has concentrated on vulnerable people and structural problems that cannot be addressed through short-term relief alone. Its program portfolio has included support for Catholic sisters working in human development, refugees and host communities, early childhood development, young people leaving foster care, youth who are disconnected from education or employment, access to safe water, and permanent supportive housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness. It has also maintained additional focus on disaster response and recovery and aviation. The organization established the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize in 1996. The prize recognizes humanitarian organizations and provides substantial unrestricted or flexible support to recipients. Its award level increased from $1.5 million at launch to $2 million in 2015 and then to $2.5 million in 2020. The prize became one of the foundation’s most visible international activities. Professional leadership expanded alongside the foundation’s grantmaking. Steven M. Hilton joined the organization in 1983 and later served as chief executive officer from 2005 to 2015. During his tenure, the foundation grew from an organization awarding roughly $6 million in annual grants, according to his retirement statement, to one with a much larger staff and grantmaking operation. Peter Laugharn succeeded him and began serving as president and chief executive officer on January 1, 2016. In January 2024, Linda Hilton became chair of the board, succeeding Hawley Hilton McAuliffe. By December 2023, the foundation’s assets were approximately $7.36 billion. Cumulative grants since inception exceeded $3.6 billion, and grants paid during 2024 approached $300 million. The foundation remains an active family-founded grantmaker whose work combines an enduring charitable mandate with targeted programs addressing homelessness, displacement, water access, youth transitions, early childhood, and community resilience.
- 2024
Linda Hilton became board chair
[1]Linda Hilton succeeded Hawley Hilton McAuliffe as chair of the board.
- 2020
Humanitarian Prize increased to $2.5 million
[1]The annual prize amount was increased to $2.5 million.
- 2016
Peter Laugharn began as president and CEO
[1]Peter Laugharn succeeded Steven M. Hilton and began his tenure on January 1.
- 2015
Humanitarian Prize increased to $2 million
[1]The annual Humanitarian Prize was raised to $2 million in connection with the twentieth laureate.
- 2007
Barron Hilton announced future charitable transfer
[1]Barron Hilton announced that approximately 97 percent of his fortune would be directed through a charitable remainder unitrust benefiting the foundation.
- 1996
Humanitarian Prize inaugurated
[1]The Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize was introduced to recognize organizations making major humanitarian contributions.
- 1979
Hilton estate expanded the foundation’s resources
[1]Following Conrad Hilton’s death on January 3, the foundation became the principal beneficiary of his estate.
- 1944
Foundation established
[1]Conrad Hilton established the foundation as an American charitable organization.
Products and positioning
A large family-founded philanthropic institution focused on measurable, long-term support for people and communities experiencing poverty, displacement, homelessness, inadequate water access, and other forms of vulnerability.
Grantmaking initiative
Catholic Sisters
This initiative supports Catholic sisters, congregations, and related organizations in the United States and Africa. Its emphasis is on recognizing and strengthening sisters as leaders in human development, community service, and work with people facing poverty and exclusion.
Grantmaking initiative
Refugees
The Refugees initiative works with partners on durable and practical responses to challenges affecting refugees, migrants, and the communities that host them. Support is directed toward systems and organizations seeking to improve protection, opportunity, and social inclusion.
Grantmaking initiative
Safe Water
Safe Water supports international nonprofit organizations and government agencies working to establish, improve, and sustain water systems. The initiative has focused on Ethiopia, Ghana, and Uganda, where reliable access to safe water is closely connected to health and community development.
Grantmaking initiative
Foster Youth
The Foster Youth initiative supports nonprofit organizations serving transition-age young people as they leave the foster-care system. Its stated geographic focus includes Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York, and its target population includes youth approximately 14 to 26 years old.
Grantmaking initiative
Opportunity Youth
Opportunity Youth supports organizations that provide education, workforce skills, and related assistance to young people who are disconnected from traditional education or employment pathways. The initiative operates across New Orleans, Los Angeles, Mexico City, and Mombasa.
Grantmaking initiative
Early Childhood Development
This initiative funds work intended to help young children and their caregivers achieve healthy development. Its focus includes the conditions, relationships, and services that shape children’s well-being during the early years.
Grantmaking initiative
Homelessness
The Homelessness initiative partners with organizations in Los Angeles County to expand permanent supportive housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness. It addresses housing stability through a combination of long-term accommodation and supportive services.
Humanitarian award · 1996
Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize
Established in 1996, the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize is an annual award recognizing organizations that have made notable contributions to humanitarian work. The award amount began at $1.5 million, reached $2 million in 2015, and was raised to $2.5 million in 2020.
Brand decisions
2020
Raised the Humanitarian Prize to $2.5 millionOtherBackground
The foundation periodically increased the value of its annual humanitarian award.
Action taken
It increased the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize from its previous level to $2.5 million.
Aftermath
The prize remained one of the most financially substantial international humanitarian awards.
Annual prize amount. $2 million → $2.5 million (2020)
2007
Accepted designation as remainder beneficiary of Barron Hilton’s charitable trustOtherBackground
Barron Hilton announced plans for approximately 97 percent of his fortune to be placed in a charitable remainder unitrust naming the foundation as the remainder beneficiary.
Action taken
The foundation was designated to receive the trust’s remaining assets after the interests of its income beneficiaries ended.
Aftermath
The arrangement created a potential long-term expansion of the foundation’s endowment and future grantmaking capacity.
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