Foundation History
Charles Hayden believed deeply in the potential of young people and sought to expand opportunities for children and youth in New York City and Boston. Since its inception in 1937, the Charles Hayden Foundation has carried forward that commitment by supporting organizations that help young people learn, grow, and successfully transition into adulthood.
Over the decades, the Foundation has supported a wide range of youth-serving organizations—from large institutions first supported by Charles Hayden during his lifetime to smaller nonprofit organizations established more recently. While the organizations and programs we support have evolved, our commitment to young people and their futures remains at the center of our work.
Foundation Focus
Today, the Charles Hayden Foundation supports and strengthens youth-serving organizations in New York City and Boston that equip young people with the education, skills, experiences, and support they need for long-term success. We invest in organizations that help young people build strong academic foundations, develop social and emotional skills, succeed in post-secondary education, and pursue meaningful career pathways.
We recognize that strong organizations are essential to achieving strong outcomes for young people. Beyond supporting high-quality programs, we invest in strengthening organizations, increasing their impact, and fostering learning and collaboration among our grantee partners. Our work continues to be guided by Charles Hayden’s belief that “the future of this nation, and of the world for that matter, depends in no small part upon the [youth] of the United States.”
