The Hafener Charitable Foundation concentrates its giving on unrestricted charitable needs with a clear emphasis on higher education scholarship support and local community/arts organizations. Much of its funding is directed to a small set of repeat recipients (notably Clarkson University and local Sanibel-area nonprofits), suggesting donor ties to the university and to island cultural and community causes.
Concentrated giving: small number of mid-to-large grants, multiple repeat gifts to the same institutions, primarily unrestricted 'charitable needs' support rather than project-specific funding.
A $30,000 grant to Clarkson University in 2025 is the clearest marker of Hafener Charitable Foundation Inc’s giving pattern: the foundation repeatedly supports charitable needs at Clarkson and also backs local Sanibel-area organizations. Its recent grants show a mix of higher-education scholarship support, island arts and heritage groups, and community-serving nonprofits. The university appears more than once in the record through both Clarkson University and Clarkson University Sch Fund, with grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025, indicating a recurring relationship rather than a one-time award. The foundation’s other large awards point to strong ties with Southwest Florida. Big Arts Barrier Island Grp for The, Heights Foundation, and Fish Friends in Service Here all appear as recipients, alongside smaller grants to Sanibel Historical Societymuseum and Fish of Sanibel-captiva. Outside Florida, the portfolio still includes education and community organizations such as Galisano Autism Center, Duquesne University, Wellington School, and Bainbridge Island Land Trust. The overall picture is of a small foundation making unrestricted charitable grants across a compact set of recurring recipients, with scholarship support and local community causes most visible in the record.
Scholarship support is one of the most consistent threads in the grant list. Hafener Charitable Foundation Inc gave $30,000 to Clarkson University in 2025 and $15,000 to Clarkson University Sch Fund in 2024, after prior gifts of $10,000 in 2023 to the same scholarship fund. That recurring pattern makes higher education a central part of the foundation’s charitable activity. In Southwest Florida, the foundation supports community and arts organizations. It gave $10,500 to Big Arts Barrier Island Grp for The in 2024 and $5,500 in 2023, both under charitable needs. Community support also shows up through $10,250 to Heights Foundation in 2025, following $11,250 in 2023 and $10,250 in 2024 to Heights Fdn. Other gifts point to services for children and families, including $5,000 to Children’s Advocacy Center of Sw Florida and $2,000 to Fish of Sanibel-captiva, each listed as charitable needs.
Typical grant size is modest: the 25th percentile is $250, the median is $500, and the 75th percentile is $2,800. The recent record suggests a small number of recurring recipients rather than broad, one-time dispersion; Clarkson University, Heights Foundation, and Big Arts Barrier Island Grp for The all appear multiple times across 2023 to 2025. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. The grant list also shows a responsive, unrestricted style, with “charitable needs” used as the purpose on the recent awards.
$204K
$1.7M
$209K
$85K
Most grants fall between $250 and $3K, with a median of $500.
25th Percentile
$250
Median
$500
75th Percentile
$3K
About 48% of grants go to recipients in FL.
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Notable grantees: Clarkson University, Clarkson University Scholarship Fund, Heights Foundation / Heights Fdn, BIG ARTS (Barrier Island Group for the Arts)
Grants are concentrated in the United States, with all 83 listed recipient grants going to U.S. organizations. Florida is the top state by grant count, and 48% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Within Florida, Sanibel and Fort Myers appear repeatedly, including Sanibel-based arts and heritage groups and several Fort Myers nonprofits. Outside Florida, recipients include Potsdam, NY; Houston, TX; Rochester, NY; Portland, OR; and Bainbridge Island, WA.
The foundation gives to higher-education scholarship funds, local arts and heritage groups, and community-serving nonprofits. Recent examples include Clarkson University, Big Arts Barrier Island Grp for The, Heights Foundation, and Fish Friends in Service Here, all listed under charitable needs.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years. Clarkson University and Clarkson University Sch Fund show grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025, while Heights Fdn/Heights Foundation and Big Arts Barrier Island Grp for The also recur across years.
The foundation’s grant-size profile is small to mid-sized: p25 is $250, median is $500, and p75 is $2,800. That means many awards are relatively modest, with some larger grants standing out in the record.
Its grants are regional and heavily U.S.-based. Florida is the top state by grant count, and 48% of grants go to recipients in Florida. Sanibel and Fort Myers show up frequently, alongside organizations in New York, Texas, Washington, and Oregon.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLARKSON UNIVERSITY | POTSDAM, NY | $30,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| HEIGHTS FOUNDATION | FORT MYERS, FL | $10,250 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER OF SW FLORIDA | FORT MYERS, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| FOUNDATION FOR THE SCHOOL OF YOUNG CHILDREN | HOUSTON, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| ABILITY PARTNERS FOUNDATION | ROCHESTER, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY | PITTSBURGH, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| BAINBRIDGE ISLAND LAND TRUST | BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| FRIENDS OF SENEGAL | PORTLAND, OR | $2,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| VISION QUILT | ASHLAND, OR | $2,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| FISH OF SANIBEL-CAPTIVA | SANIBEL, FL | $2,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| BAINBRIDGE ISLAND PICKLEBALL | BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA | $2,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| MARVIN RIDGE BAND BOOSTERS | WA HAW, NC | $1,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| SANIBEL HISTORICAL SOCIETY | SANIBEL, FL | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| CATO INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| SOCIAL GOOD FUND | RICHMOND, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $800 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION | SANIBEL, FL | $500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| BLOEDEL RESERVE | BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA | $500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| DING DARLING WILDLIFE SOCIETY | FORT MYERS, FL | $500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| THE CRAWFORDCREWORG | WESTERVILLE, OH | $500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| CAPTAINS FOR CLEAN WATERS | FORT MYERS, FL | $500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| BIG ARTS | SANIBEL, FL | $500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| FLORIDA WILDLIFE FOUNDATION | TALLAHASSEE, FL | $500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| BAINBRIDGE ISLAND PARKS AND TRAILS FOUNDATION | BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA | $500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| MYMOTHERLANDORG | COLUMBUS, OH | $250 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| AMIGOS DE LAS AMERICAS | HOUSTON, TX | $250 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| BAILEY-MATTHEWS NATIONAL SHELL MUSEUM | SANIBEL, FL | $250 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| CROW | SANIBEL, FL | $250 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| WGCU | FORT MYERS, FL | $250 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| FLORIDA AUDUBON ORG | MIAMI, FL | $250 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| SANIBEL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION | SANIBEL, FL | $100 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| BAINBRIDGE ISLAND SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER | BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA | $100 | 2025 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| CLARKSON UNIVERSITY SCH FUND | POTSDAM, NY | $15,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| BIG ARTS BARRIER ISLAND GRP FOR THE | SANIBEL, FL | $10,500 | 2024 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| HEIGHTS FDN | FORT MYERS, FL | $10,250 | 2024 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| FDN FOR THE SCHOOL FOR YOUNG CHILDR | HOUSTON, TX | $5,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| GALISANO AUTISM CENTER | S ROCHESTER, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| WELLINGTON SCHOOL | COLUMBUS, OH | $5,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| FISH FRIENDS IN SERVICE HERE | SANIBEL, FL | $4,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| VISION QUILT | PORTLAND, OR | $2,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| BAINBRIDGE ISLAND LAND TRUST | BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA | $1,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| SANIBEL HISTORICAL SOCIETYMUSEUM | SANIBEL, FL | $1,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| FRIENDS OF SENEGAL | PORTLAND, OR | $1,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $800 | 2024 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| CRAWFORD CREW | WESTERVILLE, OH | $500 | 2024 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| CAPTAINS FOR CLEAN WATER | FORT MYERS, FL | $500 | 2024 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| SOCIAL GOOD FUND | RICHMOND, CA | $500 | 2024 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| SCCF SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION F | SANIBEL, FL | $500 | 2024 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| MYMOTHERLANDORG | COLUMBUS, OH | $250 | 2024 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
| BAINBRIDGE ISLAND PARKS FDN | BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA | $250 | 2024 | CHARITABLE NEEDS |
CLARKSON UNIVERSITY
$30,000CHARITABLE NEEDS
HEIGHTS FOUNDATION
$10,250CHARITABLE NEEDS
CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER OF SW FLORIDA
$5,000CHARITABLE NEEDS
FOUNDATION FOR THE SCHOOL OF YOUNG CHILDREN
$5,000CHARITABLE NEEDS
ABILITY PARTNERS FOUNDATION
$5,000CHARITABLE NEEDS
DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY
$5,000CHARITABLE NEEDS
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND LAND TRUST
$5,000CHARITABLE NEEDS
FRIENDS OF SENEGAL
$2,000CHARITABLE NEEDS
VISION QUILT
$2,000CHARITABLE NEEDS
FISH OF SANIBEL-CAPTIVA
$2,000CHARITABLE NEEDS
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND PICKLEBALL
$2,000CHARITABLE NEEDS
MARVIN RIDGE BAND BOOSTERS
$1,500CHARITABLE NEEDS
SANIBEL HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$1,000CHARITABLE NEEDS
CATO INSTITUTE
$1,000CHARITABLE NEEDS
SOCIAL GOOD FUND
$1,000CHARITABLE NEEDS
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
$800CHARITABLE NEEDS
SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
$500CHARITABLE NEEDS
BLOEDEL RESERVE
$500CHARITABLE NEEDS
DING DARLING WILDLIFE SOCIETY
$500CHARITABLE NEEDS
THE CRAWFORDCREWORG
$500CHARITABLE NEEDS
CAPTAINS FOR CLEAN WATERS
$500CHARITABLE NEEDS
BIG ARTS
$500CHARITABLE NEEDS
FLORIDA WILDLIFE FOUNDATION
$500CHARITABLE NEEDS
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND PARKS AND TRAILS FOUNDATION
$500CHARITABLE NEEDS
MYMOTHERLANDORG
$250CHARITABLE NEEDS
AMIGOS DE LAS AMERICAS
$250CHARITABLE NEEDS
BAILEY-MATTHEWS NATIONAL SHELL MUSEUM
$250CHARITABLE NEEDS
CROW
$250CHARITABLE NEEDS
WGCU
$250CHARITABLE NEEDS
FLORIDA AUDUBON ORG
$250CHARITABLE NEEDS
SANIBEL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
$100CHARITABLE NEEDS
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER
$100CHARITABLE NEEDS
CLARKSON UNIVERSITY SCH FUND
$15,000CHARITABLE NEEDS
BIG ARTS BARRIER ISLAND GRP FOR THE
$10,500CHARITABLE NEEDS
HEIGHTS FDN
$10,250CHARITABLE NEEDS
FDN FOR THE SCHOOL FOR YOUNG CHILDR
$5,000CHARITABLE NEEDS
GALISANO AUTISM CENTER
$5,000CHARITABLE NEEDS
WELLINGTON SCHOOL
$5,000CHARITABLE NEEDS
FISH FRIENDS IN SERVICE HERE
$4,000CHARITABLE NEEDS
VISION QUILT
$2,000CHARITABLE NEEDS
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND LAND TRUST
$1,000CHARITABLE NEEDS
SANIBEL HISTORICAL SOCIETYMUSEUM
$1,000CHARITABLE NEEDS
FRIENDS OF SENEGAL
$1,000CHARITABLE NEEDS
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
$800CHARITABLE NEEDS
CRAWFORD CREW
$500CHARITABLE NEEDS
CAPTAINS FOR CLEAN WATER
$500CHARITABLE NEEDS
SOCIAL GOOD FUND
$500CHARITABLE NEEDS
SCCF SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION F
$500CHARITABLE NEEDS
MYMOTHERLANDORG
$250CHARITABLE NEEDS
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND PARKS FDN
$250CHARITABLE NEEDS