The Foundation at Hearst Castle

Name

The Foundation at Hearst Castle

Legal name

The Foundation at Hearst Castle

Website

https://foundationathearstcastle.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Heritage Nonprofit

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)

Keywords

• Historic preservation nonprofit
• STEAM education programs
• Membership fundraising
• Cultural heritage conservation
• Philanthropic event services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Simeon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees ranging from $500 to $10,000 with escalating benefits including event tickets, tours, and exclusive access.
2. Event Ticket Sales: Revenue from fundraising events including Twilight on the Terrace ($175-$250), Neptune Pool swims ($1,000/person), and member socials.
3. Donations: Tax-deductible donations supporting conservation efforts and youth education programs. Includes class sponsorship ($300-$5,000) and general contributions.
4. Planned Giving: Charitable planned gifts including beneficiary designations, wills, charitable gift annuities, and charitable trusts facilitated through The Aegis Group at Morgan Stanley.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Foundation at Hearst Castle is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds conservation and restoration of Hearst Castle ("La Cuesta Encantada") and delivers STEAM education programs for underserved middle school students. It sustains its mission through tiered annual memberships, fundraising events (Twilight on the Terrace, Neptune Pool swims, member socials, dinner and movie nights), charitable donations, planned giving, and a virtual "Hearst & Hollywood" experience on Airbnb.

Product overview

The Foundation at Hearst Castle operates a nonprofit organization supporting the conservation of Hearst Castle and providing educational programs. The primary offerings include the STEAM Program at the Castle (education for underserved students), tiered Membership Programs with benefits ranging from $500 to $10,000 annually, and exclusive fundraising events including Twilight on the Terrace, Neptune Pool Swims, Member Socials, and Dinner & Movie events. Additional offerings include class sponsorship opportunities and planned giving programs. The organization also partners with Airbnb to offer virtual 'Hearst & Hollywood' experiences. The portfolio functions as a unified mission-driven approach combining conservation funding with youth education and member engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• STEAM Program at the Castle An educational program combining Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math designed to inspire and empower underserved middle school students through tours and educational experiences at Hearst Castle.
• Membership Program Tiered membership program with six annual levels ($500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000, $7,500, $10,000) providing benefits including event access, complimentary Castle tours, Neptune Pool swims, private tours, and exclusive member events.
• Twilight on the Terrace Annual fundraising event featuring wine tasting, craft brews, gourmet food, live music, and silent auction held at Hearst Castle's terrace overlooking the Neptune Pool. Public tickets $225-$250; FHC member tickets $175-$200.
• Neptune Pool Swims Exclusive fundraising events allowing members and guests to swim in the historic Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle, including catering, complimentary beverages, and private access to the pool area. $1,000 per person, limited to 50 guests, members only.
• Member Social Events Complimentary or member-exclusive events held at venues like the Julia Morgan Warehouse at Hearst Ranch Winery, featuring wine tasting, food, and networking opportunities.
• Hearst & Hollywood Virtual Experience A 75-minute livestream virtual tour of Hearst Castle available exclusively through Airbnb's Online Experience platform, with 100% of proceeds supporting the Foundation's mission.
• Class Sponsorship Program Program allowing donors to sponsor students for STEAM programs at various levels: Sponsor 10 Students ($300), Sponsor 1 Class ($1,000), Sponsor 5 Classes ($5,000).
• Planned Giving Program Charitable giving options including beneficiary designations, gifts through wills, charitable gift annuities, and charitable trusts, with advisory services facilitated through The Aegis Group at Morgan Stanley.
• Dinner & Movie Events Intimate wine-paired dinner experiences with screenings of classic films or newsreels in Hearst's private theater, available to members and their guests.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AirbnbcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration to launch 'Hearst & Hollywood' virtual experience - a 75-minute livestream tour of Hearst Castle available exclusively via Airbnb's Online Experiences platform. 100% of revenues benefit The Foundation at Hearst Castle. The experience received 5-star ratings and positive reviews.
• California State ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated organization supporting Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument and San Luis Obispo Coast District. The Foundation supports conservation and restoration projects in partnership with State Parks.
• The Aegis Group at Morgan StanleyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPlanned giving advisors who assist with exploratory conversations about charitable gift plans including beneficiary designations, wills, charitable gift annuities, and charitable trusts.
• Hearst Ranch WineryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for wine tasting events and fundraising activities. Located adjacent to Hearst Castle with tasting room offering views of the estate.
• Brass Mash BandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEntertainment provider for Twilight on the Terrace annual fundraising event.
• Brick & MortarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCatering provider for Neptune Pool Swim events at Hearst Castle.
• Copper & CrystalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage sponsor providing complimentary wine, beer, and beverages for Neptune Pool Swim events.
• Field to Table EventsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCatering partner for FHC Member Social 2023 event.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mount Vernon Ladies' Association: Private nonprofit that has preserved George Washington's Mount Vernon estate since 1858. Highly comparable single-site heritage preservation model funded by memberships, donations, and special events at a historic landmark.
• Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation: Nonprofit foundation dedicated to preserving Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural legacy, including Taliesin West. Directly comparable as a foundation supporting an architecturally significant heritage site with educational programming and member-driven fundraising.
• National Trust for Historic Preservation: Leading private nonprofit focused on preserving historic places across the U.S. Highly comparable mission, membership-driven fundraising model, and educational programming around heritage sites - making it the closest analogue in scale and structure to The Foundation at Hearst Castle.
• The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation: Private nonprofit operating a major American heritage site with extensive educational programming, membership tiers, and event-based fundraising. Comparable in combining historic preservation with STEAM-style educational programs at scale.
• Gamble House Conservancy: Nonprofit preserving the Greene & Greene-designed Gamble House in Pasadena. Comparable as a smaller-scale foundation focused on Julia Morgan-adjacent architectural preservation, with membership programs and educational tours.
• Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello: Private nonprofit foundation that owns and operates Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's historic home. Directly comparable as a single historic site supported by membership tiers, donations, planned giving, and educational programming - similar operating model applied to a different landmark.

Others

• Hearst Foundations: Separate philanthropic entities established by the Hearst family. Related thematically through the Hearst name and family legacy but distinct in mission, scope, and operating structure - not a direct operating peer but a thematically connected foundation in the same ecosystem.

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/foundationathearstcastle
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/foundation-at-hearst-castle

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Foundation at Hearst Castle