Hilton Global Foundation

What Hilton Global Foundation does

Hilton Global Foundation is the corporate philanthropy arm of Hilton (Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., NYSE: HLT), established in 2019 as part of Hilton's 100th anniversary and formerly known as the Hilton Effect Foundation. The Foundation distributes grants to nonprofit organizations worldwide across three funding priorities: Destination Stewardship (environmental protection, clean water, biodiversity), Career Development (hospitality training, youth employment, disability and diversity inclusion), and Community Resilience (disaster relief, food security, anti-human-trafficking). It is headquartered in McLean, Virginia, co-located with Hilton's corporate offices, and is led by President Katherine Lugar and Vice President Catherine Linskey, both of whom also hold senior roles within Hilton's Corporate Affairs and Community Impact functions. The Foundation does not sell products or services; its "customers" are nonprofit grantees and community beneficiaries, not paying customers.

The Foundation's core offerings include annual grant programs to vetted nonprofits, smaller Action Grants distributed to Hilton Team Members for local volunteer initiatives, disaster response grants, and support for the Passport to Success Concierge hospitality-training program developed with the International Youth Foundation. Underlying infrastructure consists of a grant-making and charitable-giving platform aligned with Hilton's Travel with Purpose ESG technology stack for tracking and reporting environmental and social impact metrics, with no proprietary AI, API, or software-as-a-service components disclosed. Since 2019, the Foundation has distributed grants to over 150 nonprofits in 11+ countries, with its largest annual investment to date being a $5.4 million commitment to 18 organizations announced in February 2026.

The Foundation's revenue model is corporate philanthropy: it is wholly funded by contributions from Hilton and does not generate independent commercial revenue, charge fees, or accept third-party donations at scale. Pricing models are not applicable. Go-to-market is community-led rather than commercial, relying on Hilton's 7,200+ property footprint globally to identify communities of need, mobilize Team Member volunteers, and channel impact. Cumulative disclosed impact metrics include 9.4 million community members meaningfully impacted, 22.3 million pounds of food donated, 237,945 learning and career growth opportunities created, 242,256 people provided with clean water access, and 16.2 million pounds of waste diverted from landfill since 2019.

Name

Hilton Global Foundation

Legal name

Hilton Global Foundation

Website

https://hiltonglobalfoundation.hilton.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Hilton Global Foundation is Hilton's corporate philanthropy arm, distributing grants to 150+ nonprofits across 11+ countries in support of destination stewardship, career development, and community resilience in communities where Hilton operates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Corporate Philanthropy and Grantmaking

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

Keywords

• Corporate philanthropy
• Grantmaking foundation
• Disaster relief grants
• Community development
• ESG grant funding

Headquarters

HQ city

McLean

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Foundation Grants: Hilton Global Foundation operates as a corporate philanthropy entity, distributing grants funded by Hilton to nonprofit organizations worldwide. Funding priorities include Destination Stewardship, Career Development, and Community Resilience. The Foundation's largest annual investment to date was $5.4 million committed to 18 nonprofit organizations globally.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Hilton Global Foundation distributes philanthropic grants to nonprofit organizations and supports Hilton Team Member volunteer efforts across three funding priorities: Destination Stewardship (environmental conservation in tourism destinations), Career Development (hospitality industry training and career pathways for youth and underrepresented groups), and Community Resilience (immediate disaster relief, long-term recovery, food security, and anti-human trafficking). Grants are awarded annually to vetted nonprofits serving communities where Hilton operates, with a 2026 portfolio of $5.4 million committed to 18 organizations across 11 countries.

Product overview

Hilton Global Foundation is a charitable grant-making organization (not a technology product company). The foundation operates as a single unified offering focused on distributing grants and supporting social impact programs aligned with Hilton's Travel with Purpose 2030 Goals. Its core activities include: (1) Grant Programs to nonprofit organizations across Destination Stewardship, Career Development, and Community Resilience categories; (2) Action Grants enabling Hilton Team Members to volunteer in local communities; and (3) Disaster Response & Resilience initiatives. The foundation has distributed grants to over 150 nonprofits since 2019 and supports the Passport to Success hospitality training program through the International Youth Foundation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Grant Programs Annual grant distribution program that awards funding to vetted nonprofit organizations whose work aligns with the foundation's three funding priorities: Destination Stewardship, Career Development, and Community Resilience. Open to nonprofits serving communities where Hilton operates; awarded annually with vetting by foundation leadership.
• Action Grants Smaller-scale grants distributed to Hilton Team Members to support meaningful volunteer activities in their local communities. Team Members nominate local community organizations; awarded grants are used by those organizations to launch volunteer efforts in partnership with the nominating Hilton hotels.
• Disaster Response & Resilience Initiative supporting short-term relief and long-term resiliency efforts for communities impacted by disasters. Provides grants to nonprofit partners on the ground responding to urgent community needs during crisis situations such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and humanitarian emergencies.
• Passport to Success (PTS) Concierge An eight-module hospitality training course developed with the International Youth Foundation and supported by the Hilton Global Foundation. Teaches key skills for success in the hospitality industry, identifies career pathways, and provides central life skills. Modules are available in five languages with mobile phone capabilities designed for lower bandwidth environments.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50.9% reduction in carbon emissions intensity at managed hotels and 64.7% reduction in landfill waste intensity — surpassing Hilton's 2030 waste goal ahead of schedule (2025 Travel with Purpose Report)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of AmericaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2026Hilton and the Hilton Global Foundation announced a nationwide partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America to provide mentorship, career exploration, and travel experiences for youth across six U.S. markets beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. Hilton is making its largest-ever charitable donation of 250 million Hilton Honors Points, equivalent to more than 3,000 standard room nights, to create transformative travel experiences for participants. The initiative aims to generate over 10,000 mentoring moments and is timed to coincide with America's 250th anniversary. The program addresses the opportunity gap affecting an estimated 4.3 million young people ages 16-24 in the United States who are neither in school nor working.
• 18 Nonprofit Organizations (2026 Grant Portfolio)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2026The Hilton Global Foundation announced its largest annual investment to date, committing $5.4 million in grants to 18 nonprofit organizations across the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa. Grantees span 11 countries including the United States, Vietnam, India, United Kingdom, and Kenya, with programs targeting youth employment, disability inclusion, and environmental sustainability. The funding is expected to provide over 170,000 learning and career opportunities, nearly 400,000 meals, and clean water to more than 12,000 people globally.
• International Youth FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Hilton Global Foundation and the International Youth Foundation (IYF) launched and continually increased access to Passport to Success (PTS) Concierge, an eight-module hospitality training course. The course teaches key skills to succeed in the industry, identifies suitable career pathways, and provides central life skills in hospitality and tourism. Modules are available in five languages with mobile phone capabilities even in lower bandwidth environments, designed to reach young people in countries with larger gaps to success and career opportunities.
• International Youth Foundation (JuventudES Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting the JuventudES program in Mexico City, which helps opportunity youth gain job skills and employment, especially within the hospitality industry.
• World Central KitchencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFollowing Hurricane Ian and the crisis in Ukraine, the Hilton Global Foundation partnered with World Central Kitchen and Project HOPE to provide hot meals and emergency support to those in need. The Foundation has also supported World Central Kitchen's Turkey earthquake response efforts alongside the International Rescue Committee.
• Clean the World FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Hilton Global Foundation partnered with Clean the World Foundation to support the operations of a Mobile Hygiene Unit (MHU) that provides showers and other wraparound services to individuals experiencing homelessness in Orange County, FL. The MHU operates 4+ days a week with at least 5-6 hours of shower services daily. The unit was also deployed to Hertz Arena during Hurricane Ian to provide shower services to displaced Florida residents.
• R.O.L.E. FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe R.O.L.E. Foundation's Bali WISE program provides young, marginalized women with a six-month residential program consisting of hospitality skills training, leading to access to safe, quality employment as well as crucial life skills and confidence. Through the partnership, 200 girls are able to attend the six-month program. The Foundation's mission is to empower marginalized communities through environmental conservation and education in Indonesia.
• Aurora FoxescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver eight years, Hilton and the Hilton Global Foundation have partnered with Aurora Foxes — a catering college and training hotel for young adults with learning disabilities in the UK. The program aims to equip young adults with life and employability skills to be 'Work Ready' and 'Life Ready.' In April 2022, the Flying Fox food truck was launched. To date, Hilton has hosted over 30 work placements, currently employs 10 Foxes graduates in 8 hotels, and has provided 80+ learning and career growth opportunities.
• Hilton (Parent Company)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Hilton Global Foundation operates as Hilton's corporate foundation, supporting Hilton's Travel with Purpose strategy — Hilton's commitment to create positive environmental and social impact in the thousands of communities where Hilton operates. The Foundation was launched in 2019 as part of Hilton's 100th anniversary celebration and works to supercharge Hilton's progress toward its 2030 Travel with Purpose Goals.
• Project HOPEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with World Central Kitchen and Project HOPE to provide emergency support in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian and the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
• International Rescue CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFollowing the devastating Turkey earthquakes, the Hilton Global Foundation contributed to the International Rescue Committee alongside World Central Kitchen to aid in recovery and relief efforts.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Google.org: Google's corporate philanthropic arm deploying hundreds of millions annually to nonprofits focused on education, economic opportunity, and crisis response — comparable as a tech-forward corporate foundation using parent platform for impact scaling.
• The Walt Disney Company Foundation: Disney's large corporate foundation supporting children's welfare, education, and community impact — comparable as a major consumer-brand corporate foundation with scaled grantmaking operations and a children/youth focus similar to Hilton's Career Development pillar.
• The Coca-Cola Foundation: Coca-Cola's global corporate foundation supporting water stewardship, community resilience, and youth development — comparable as a global consumer-brand corporate foundation with similar environmental (water) and community resilience programming.
• Starbucks Foundation (Starbucks Social Impact): Starbucks' corporate foundation supporting youth opportunity, community resilience, and environmental stewardship — comparable as a large consumer-brand corporate foundation with overlapping workforce development and community resilience priorities.
• Microsoft Philanthropies: Microsoft's corporate philanthropy program supporting nonprofits with cash grants, technology donations, and skills training — comparable as a large corporate philanthropic program with multi-pronged grant, technology, and workforce development support.

Direct peers

• Marriott International Foundation: Marriott's corporate foundation supporting workforce development, community resilience, and sustainability initiatives globally — directly comparable structure as a hotel company foundation serving similar ESG priorities and customer-facing hospitality impact.
• Airbnb.org: Airbnb's nonprofit focused on emergency temporary housing for disaster refugees and displaced populations — directly comparable as a travel/hospitality-adjacent nonprofit supporting disaster resilience using the parent company's core lodging inventory.
• Accor Foundation (Accor Heartists Foundation): Accor's global corporate foundation supporting hospitality training, local community impact, and inclusion — directly comparable as a global hotel company foundation with similar geographic scope and youth/career development focus.
• IHG Foundation: InterContinental Hotels Group's philanthropic arm supporting disaster relief, youth employability, and community development — directly comparable as another global hotel corporate foundation with overlapping priorities.
• Hyatt Hotels Foundation: Hyatt's corporate philanthropic arm supporting community resilience, career development, and environmental stewardship — directly comparable model as a hotel chain corporate foundation with similar program pillars.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments59 records

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

Frequently asked questions about Hilton Global Foundation