History

With Gordon Lightfoot, James Taylor and John Denver at a benefit concert.


The Harry Chapin Memorial Fund was created in 1981 with help from Harry's former manager Ken Kragen and Kenny Rogers who donated $150,000 from a benefit concert. Harry's widow Sandy Chapin has led the organization from the beginning. While the name was changed to the Harry Chapin Foundation, its mission has stayed the same - to help  make a positive 
difference in communities around the country.  Over the years, the foundation has made nearly 350 grants worth almost $1.5 million. The breakdown:

- Community Education: 133 grants worth $387,857
- Arts in Education: 73 grants worth $212,487
- Food and Agriculture and Environment: 160 grants worth $921,704*

* Includes $232,532 in donor-advised grants to the Long Island Cares capital campaign.

Of all the grants awarded, World Hunger Year has received 50 grants worth $322,500. An additional 70 grants worth $340,500 has gone toward the Harry Chapin Self Reliance Awards which are administered by World Hunger Year.

Mission

The mission of the Harry Chapin Foundation is to support
organizations that have demonstrated their ability to dramatically improve the lives and livelihood of people by helping them to become self-sufficient.