William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, philanthropic organization founded in 1966 by engineer and entrepeneur William R. Hewlett (1913–2001), co-founder of Hewlett-Packard, his wife, Flora Lamson Hewlett (1914–77), and their eldest son, Walter B. Hewlett (1944–). Headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., it is one of the wealthiest foundations in the United States. Pledged to address social and environmental problems in the United States and the world, Hewlett concentrates its grant-giving activities on education, the environment, global development, the performing arts, and population. The foundation also makes grants to advance private philanthropy and to support organizations that serve disadvantaged communities in the San Francisco Bay area.