The foundation supports specific projects within a diverse range of support areas:
Education: the foundation helps make grants to students to help ensure success in college as well as several K-12 programs based on building academic knowledge.
Environment: specific to the United States and Canada, many of the causes supported by the foundation are based in north America and include the protection of both fauna, flora and indigenous peoples as well as addressing climate change globally.
Global Development and Population: the foundation supports different programs that focus on women’s reproductive and economic choices and well as promoting evidence-based policymaking.
SF Bay Area: the Hewlett Foundation support several initiatives in the San Francisco region that support diverse communities and disadvantaged youth.
The Madison Initiative is a Hewlett Foundation grant program that awards grants to individuals and groups who seek to work in government, specifically Congress, to improve the political system and improve partisanship.

One of the main criteria for awarding grants is that the grantee be able to demonstrate that the project will ensure “long-term meaningful social change”. Most of the grants awarded by the Hewlett Foundation focus on outcomes as well as addressing issues in a pragmatic and nonpartisan manner.
The foundation accepts unsolicited inquiries for performing arts grants, however, is not accepting unsolicited applications in any other area. Most of the grants are to organizations and programs identified by the foundation. No individuals are funded, nor does the foundation fund any scholarships.