Hewlett Foundation Style Guide

the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation; the Hewlett Foundation; the foundation; la Fundación Flora y William Hewlett; la Fundación Hewlett; la fundación; La Fondation Flora et William Hewlett; La Fondation Hewlett, la fondation (for Spanish or French texts and materials): When referring to the Hewlett Foundation, “the foundation” is always lowercase and the first reference is Hewlett Foundation. “Hewlett” is acceptable as a second reference.

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21st century (n.) 21st-century (adj.): Lowercase. Use figure, no superscript.

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academic degrees and areas of study: Use periods: B.A., M.P.H., Ph.D.; lowercase when spelled out: bachelor’s, master’s. Do not use periods with MBA. Lowercase the names of the academic areas of study, unless the word would otherwise be capped: master’s in physics, Ph.D. in English literature.
access to information (n. and adj.): No hyphens.
acronyms: Be wary of the overuse of acronyms or adopting them too quickly. Acronyms are acceptable for some organizations but avoid for concepts or terms unless they are widely recognizable. They can get in the way of clear communication.
adviser: Not advisor
African American: No hyphen, capitalized. Acceptable for an American Black person of African descent, but African American and Black are not necessarily interchangeable. Americans of Caribbean heritage, for example, generally refer to themselves as Caribbean American. Follow a person or group’s preference. If there is no stated preference, use Black.
Also see: Black
aka: No periods.
Annual Meeting: In board memos, capitalize in reference to Hewlett Foundation board meetings.
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders: Spell out the full term; use AAPI only in direct quotations and headlines and explain the term.
Also see: Asian American
Asian American: No hyphen, capitalized. When possible, refer to a person’s country of origin or follow the person or group’s preference. For example: Filipino American or Indian American. Do not describe Pacific Islanders as Asian Americans, Asians, or of Asian descent. Avoid using Asian as shorthand for Asian American when possible.
Assembly member: Two words. Capitalize if used in a title.

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bi words: Generally, we do not hyphenate when using a prefix with a word starting with a consonant. (See AP’s “prefixes” entry). Examples: bifocal, bimonthly, bilateral, bipartisan, bilingual.
Black (adj.): Use the capitalized term as an adjective in a racial, ethnic, or cultural sense: Black people, Black culture, Black literature, Black studies, Black colleges.
blog posts, blog titles: Use quotation marks for blog posts but not for blog titles.
board, Board of Directors: Lowercase in all references except for the fuller reference to the Board of Directors in governance documents, e.g., resolutions, bylaws, etc.
Brown (adj.): *Capitalize. Avoid this broad and imprecise term in racial, ethnic, or cultural references unless as part of a direct quotation. Interpretations of what the term includes vary widely. Be specific.
building: capacity building, consensus building, democracy building
n.: no hyphen
adj.: hyphenate

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capitalization: Capitalize only the first word and proper nouns in headlines for external materials. Exception: The first word after a colon is always uppercase in headlines.
child care (n. and adj.): No hyphen
civil society organization(s), CSO(s): Do not use acronyms until after first reference. Do not capitalize.
clean energy: No hyphen, even as a modifier. For example: clean energy policies not clean-energy policies.
climate crisis, climate emergency, climate change: Use the terms climate change or climate crisis instead of global warming. Global warming refers only to rising temperatures, whereas climate change encompasses global warming and broader changes resulting from that warming. Convey the urgency of the moment by noting that we are in a climate crisis and need to “halt” or “address” it rather than using terms like “prevent.”
co-words: Hyphenate only words denoting occupation or status or as part of a formal title before a name. Examples: co-author, co-chair, co-host, co-President. Do not use hyphens in other combinations. Examples: cocreate, coexist, coordinate, cooperate.
colons: Capitalize the first word after a colon when it is a proper noun or the start of a complete sentence. Use one space.
commas: *Use commas to separate elements in a series: The U.S. flag is red, white, and blue.
composition titles: Use quotation marks for titles of books, movies, plays, poems, albums, songs, operas, radio and television programs, lectures, speeches, and works of art, except for holy books, reference books, software titles, and sculptures. Use quotation marks for newspaper or magazine article titles and for blog post headlines. Do not use quotation marks for the names of newspapers, magazines, or blogs. *Capitalize titles as they are in the original publication.
course work: Two words
COVID-19: Use the term COVID-19 when referring specifically to the disease: COVID-19 treatments, COVID-19 patients, COVID-19 deaths, recovering from COVID-19.
critical race theory: Explain the term when used. Do not capitalize or use the acronym CRT on later references.
cross-cultural: Hyphenate
culturally responsive and sustaining education: Do not capitalize or use the acronym CRSE until after the first reference.
Cyber, cybersecurity, cyberattack, cybercriminals, cyberwar, cybercrime, cyberspace: One word. “Cyber” is a U.S. government term. “Infosec” is a hacker community term. Decide based on prevailing usage case by case if not in Webster’s.
Cyber Initiative, cyber issues, cyber policy, cyber problems, cyber threats, cyber grants, cyber risk, cyber surveillance: Two words. Decide based on prevailing usage case by case if not in Webster’s.

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dashes: Put a space on both sides of an em dash. Example: The dirtiest trucks — pre-1989 models — are now banned.

Use a hyphen between dates and number ranges: 2011-12.
data: The word typically takes singular verbs and pronouns when writing for general audiences. Example: The data is sound.
data set: *Two words
decision making (n.) decision-making (adj.) decision maker (n.): *decision making (n. is two words), decision-making (adj.), decision maker (n.)
deeper learning: Lowercase all references except when referencing the Education Program’s former strategy or grantmaking portfolio.
DEIJ / diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice: Abbreviation is all caps, no periods. Spelled-out version is lowercase with a comma after inclusion. In memos and other documents in the Hewlett Foundation voice, spell out on first reference and use this order: diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice; DEIJ is acceptable on second reference. In grant descriptions, DEIJ is okay on first reference, as are versions with a different word order, like justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI).
directions and compass points: In general, lowercase north, south, northeast, northern, etc., when they indicate compass direction; capitalize these words when they designate regions.
dollar amounts: Always lowercase. Use figures and the $ sign in all references. The bottle cost $5. The grant was for $100,000.

Spell out million and billion. All numbers preceding (small and large) million and billion should be in numeral form, not spelled out ($9 million, $436 billion). *Tables use shorthand in columns (i.e., $9M, $9B).

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email: Not e-mail.
Environment, environment: Capitalize when referencing the Hewlett Foundation’s Environment Program. When discussing the natural environment and/or biodiversity, use terms like “nature,” “forests,” and “lakes and rivers” that paint a picture of the places the foundation aims to protect.
ESL(s) / ELL(s) / ESOL(s): *English as a Second Language, English Language Learners, and English to Speakers of Other Languages, respectively. Do not use acronyms until after first reference in parentheses.
Evidence-Informed Policymaking, EIP, evidence-informed policymaking: Capitalize when referencing the Hewlett Foundation’s grantmaking portfolio. Do not use the acronym until after first reference. Do not capitalize when referring to evidence-informed policymaking in more general terms. Hyphenate “evidence-informed” and do not hyphenate “policymaking.”
Executive Session: In board memos, capitalize in reference to Hewlett Foundation board meetings.

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family planning (n. and adj.): No hyphen.
fieldwork: One word.
first-ever: Use sparingly because it is redundant, but if necessary, hyphenate.
firsthand: One word.
First Nations: Capitalize. Use in reference to support for Indigenous peoples in Canada. Not used in reference to U.S. Tribes because of primary association with Canada’s designation of Indigenous communities.
follow up (v.) follow-up (n. and adj.): Hyphenate as a noun and adjective only.
foundation: Lowercase in all references except when it’s part of a foundation’s name: the Hewlett Foundation, the Packard Foundation, etc. When referring to multiple foundations, lowercase: The Hewlett and Packard foundations.
fractions: Spell out fractions less than one using a hyphen between the words: two-thirds. Write all others with two numerals separated by a forward slash with a full space between the whole number and the fraction: 1 ½, 2 ¼.
Francophone West Africa: Capitalize
freedom of information (n. and adj.): No hyphens
fundraiser (n.) fundraising (n. and adj.): One word

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Geographic regions and references: Capitalize geographic regions that would not be named on a map (West Africa, the West).

Use precise region, country, or location names. Avoid using terms such as “Third World,” “poor countries,” “developing world.” *If there is a need to use general references, consider using “medium-income countries,” “low-income countries,” “lower-middle-income countries,” or “the countries we support work in,” depending on the context. “Global South” can be used if necessary, but be mindful that this is a generalized term that groups together a large variety of countries, with different realities, into one category.
gender-neutral language / pronouns: Use gender-neutral terms whenever possible. For example, use “representative” or “congressional member,” not “congressman” or “congresswoman.” Avoid using “his” or “his/her” to cover men and women: use “their,” or a different construction, for example, pluralizing the antecedent to avoid the use of singular pronouns: “employees should read their packets carefully,” instead of “each employee should read his packet carefully.” Defer to an individual’s stated gender pronouns (she/her, he/him, they/them).
goal / strategy statements: In board documents, when grant paragraphs end with a parenthetical statement about which goal is being addressed, it should be formatted this way: (Substrategy: Advance Conservation Solutions)
grantmaking, grantmaker, grantseeker, grantseeking: *One word, no hyphen
grantee: Include specifics of what individuals do on second reference, e.g.: artists, educators, advocates, and researchers that we support.
groundbreaking: One word, no hyphen.

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health care: Two words.
high-quality instructional materials: Do not use acronym HQIM in public materials.
Hispanic: Capitalize. Hispanic is a noun or adjective for a person from, or whose ancestors were from, a Spanish-speaking land or culture. Latino, Latina, or Latinx are sometimes preferred. Follow the person or group's preference. Use a more specific identification when possible, such as Cuban, Puerto Rican, or Mexican American. Also see: Latino/a/x entry.
Also see: Latino, Latina, Latinx

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Inc.: *In board memos, include comma prior to Inc. in organization names. For example: GlassLab, Inc.
indices: *plural of index
Indigenous: Capitalize this term used to refer to original inhabitants of a place. Use Indigenous peoples when referring to multiple Indigenous groups. Use people when referring to multiple individuals from different Indigenous groups.
international nongovernmental organization(s), INGO(s): Do not use acronyms until after first reference. Do not capitalize. Do not hyphenate.
internet: Lowercase
international financial institution(s) / IFI(s): Do not use acronym until after first reference. Do not capitalize. Do not hyphenate.

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K-12: Use hyphen (not em or en dash).

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Latino, Latina, Latinx: Capitalize. Latino is often the preferred noun or adjective for a person from, or whose ancestors were from, a Spanish-speaking land or culture or from Latin America. Latina is the feminine form. The gender-neutral term Latinx should be confined to quotations, names of organizations, or used when an individual or organization self-identifies as Latinx. Strive for specificity and refer to a person’s country of origin when possible and follow the person or group’s preference.
Also see: Hispanic
land-use (adj.): Hyphenate as an adjective only.
letter of inquiry: Lowercase this phrase, except for the acronym LOI. Use acronym after first reference. Plural form: letters of inquiry, LOIs.
LGBTQ+: Acceptable in all references for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer and/or questioning, plus other non-straight, non-cisgender identities. Fewer or additional letters can be used to be more inclusive or in quotations and names of organizations and events, such as LGBT or LGBTQIA, which includes intersex and asexual people. Follow a person or group’s preference and be specific whenever possible. For example: “a transgender and queer arts organization.”
lifelong: One word.
lists: Within text, most lists do not require letters or numerals. They can be separated with commas or semicolons. Numerals or letters that mark divisions in a run-in list are enclosed on both sides by parentheses. For board book materials, use letters. When using letters or numerals to reflect a sequence, this is (a) the beginning, (b) the middle, and (c) the end. If there are only two, no comma before the second item. If there are commas within a list item, then use semicolons to separate the items.

Vertical lists: Use bullets instead of numbers unless numbers are necessary (e.g., if there are steps to a process, items follow a specific sequence, or you need to refer to items later). The introduction to a vertical list should be a grammatical sentence, followed by a colon. Capitalize the first word in each item. All items should be parallel in syntax — that is, they should all be complete sentences, or all commands, or all sentence fragments. Do not mix and match, with one bullet point asking a question, the next a complete declarative sentence, and the next a command.
long-standing: Hyphenate
long-term (adj.) long term (n.): For example: long-term outcomes, in the long term.

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mid-words: No hyphen unless a capitalized word follows: midair, mid-Atlantic. Use a hyphen when mid- precedes a figure: mid-30s.
multi-words: Generally, we do not hyphenate when using a prefix with a word starting with a consonant. Examples: multiyear, multicolored, multimillion, multilateral, multimillionaire.

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names: Use first and last names or titles of person, first name (optional), and last name: Barack Obama, President Barack Obama, or President Obama. Use a last name alone only after the first full mention of a person’s name: Obama (not Barack). Also, use last name when used as an adjective and context is clear: Obama administration. Omit personal titles. *The president’s letter in the board book can use first names.
Nasdaq: proper name
non-words: In general, no hyphen when forming a compound that does not have special meaning and can be understood if not is used before the base word. Use a hyphen, however, before proper nouns. Examples of compounds with special meaning include names with proper nouns: Non-Aligned Movement, non-Euclidean geometry, non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
National Assessment of Educational Progress: Do not use acronym NAEP until after first reference.
nationwide: One word, no hyphen, similar to other -wide words.
Native: Capitalize when referring to Native Americans, Alaska Natives or Native Hawaiians. Similar to “Indigenous” as far as original ties to place, but usually used in a U.S. context. Strive for specificity as relates to Tribes.
Native American: Capitalize. Acceptable in general references for those in the U.S. when referring to two or more people of different Tribal affiliations. For individuals, use the name of the Tribe. Some Tribes and Tribal nations use member; others use citizen. Try to determine the correct term in each case. If that can’t be determined, use citizen.
net zero (n.), net-zero (adj.): For example: the path to net zero, net-zero world.
nongovernmental organization(s), NGO(s): Do not use acronyms until after first reference. Do not capitalize. Do not hyphenate.
nonprofit: *Do not hyphenate
numerals: Spell out one to nine, use numerals beginning with 10. But: Use numerals with percent (9%). Also, 9 million, 23 billion people (spell out “million” and “billion”). Refer to AP Style for more detail but use numerals when referring to units of measure and ages.

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online: Not on-line
Open Education, Open Educational Resources (Hewlett strategy), open education, open educational practices, open educational resources (field), OER, open, open pedagogy: Do not use acronyms until after first reference. Capitalize when referring to the foundation’s Open Education strategy or grantmaking portfolio; do not capitalize when referring to open educational resources in a more general way (e.g., open educational resources have given higher education unprecedented reach). OER is the singular and plural form of “open educational resources.”
organization name: For second references to organizations, generally use a common noun (lowercase) from the group’s name: the Institute for Technology and Security (full name), the institute (second reference). If the group’s name does not include a noun or uses a noun that would be unclear when lowercase, options include:
- “the group” or “the organization”
- a capitalized shortened form of the name: Bay Area Small Business Support Fund (first reference), the Support Fund (second reference)
- a single noun from the name that is very specific to the group: the Gardeners Society (first reference), the Society (second reference)
- an acronym (especially if the organization uses the acronym to refer to itself).

Note on acronyms: In most cases, do not use an acronym on second reference unless the organization is known better by the acronym than by the written-out name. *If you do use an acronym, write the name out on first reference and put the acronym in parentheses.

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Pacific Islander: Used to describe the Indigenous people of the Pacific Islands, including but not limited to Hawaii, Guam, and Samoa. Should be used for people who are ethnically Pacific Islander, not for those who happen to live in Pacific Islands. Be specific about which communities you are referring to whenever possible and follow a person’s or group’s preference. Do not use Asian Pacific Islander unless referring to Pacific Islanders of Asian descent. Do not describe Pacific Islanders as Asian Americans, Asians, or of Asian descent.
people of color: Be specific whenever possible by referring to individual racial/ethnic groups — for instance, Black Americans, Chinese Americans, or members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida — and follow a group or individual’s preference. Examples: “The poll found that Black and Latino Americans are bearing the brunt of the pandemic's financial impact,” not “The poll found that people of color are bearing the brunt of the pandemic's financial impact.” Or “Most of the group’s individual donors are Black women,” not “Most of the group’s individual donors are women of color.”

People of color is acceptable when necessary in broad references to multiple races other than White. For example: We are supporting grantee-led efforts to amplify the voices of people of color.

Be aware, however, that many people of various races object to the term for different reasons, including that it lumps together into one monolithic group anyone who isn't White and fails to convey that individual racial/ethnic groups each have distinct experiences.

In some cases, other wording may be appropriate. Examples: people from various racial and ethnic backgrounds; various heritages; different cultures.

Do not use person of color for an individual.
Do not use the shorthand POC, BIPOC, or BAME unless necessary in a direct quotation; when used, explain it. *It is acceptable to use the term Black, Indigenous, and people of color when necessary, but it should be spelled out.
percent: Use the % sign with no space when paired with a number.
periods: Use with U.S., U.K., U.N., D.C. Note that EU and UN Women, for example, do not require periods. Do not use periods for any of these in headlines. Do not use periods in headlines, headings, or subheadings.
phone numbers: Use hyphens: 555-555-5555
policymaking, policymaker: One word
pre-K-12, preschool: No hyphen in preschool.
private sector (n.) private-sector (adj.): Hyphenate as an adjective only.
problem solving (n.) problem-solving (adj.) problem solver (n.): Hyphenate as an adjective only.
program, Program, initiative, Initiatives, strategy names, board committees: Program: Capitalize as part of formal program name. Lowercase when used as a shortened second reference: the Education Program, the program. Full list of foundation programs and strategies below.

Strategy/Substrategy: Capitalize the names of strategies and substrategies, but do not capitalize the words “Strategy” and “Substrategy”: the K-12 Teaching and Learning strategy.

Initiative: Capitalize when part of formal name (Cyber Initiative) but lowercase when used as a shortened second reference.

Committee: Capitalize when part of full name of an official board committee. Lowercase when it stands alone on second reference. Examples: the Compensation Committee, the committee.

Education Program (EDU)
- K-12 Teaching and Learning
- Open Education

Environment Program (ENV)
- Climate Change Initiative or Climate Initiative
- Cross-Sectoral and Transnational programs
- Western Conservation
- Wildfire Strategy

Gender Equity and Governance Program (GEG)
- Evidence-Informed Policymaking
- Inclusive Governance
- Global Reproductive Equity
- U.S. Reproductive Equity
- Women’s Economic Empowerment

Performing Arts Program (PA)
- Communities
- Artists
- Youth
- Advocacy and Infrastructure
- Hewlett 50 Arts Commissions

U.S. Democracy (USDP)
- Trustworthy Elections
- National Governing Institutions

Effective Philanthropy Group (EPG)/Philanthropy
- Knowledge for Better Philanthropy
- Organizational Effectiveness
- Fund for Shared Insight

Special Projects (SP)

Cyber Initiative (Cyber)

Economy and Society Initiative (ESI)

Culture, Race, and Equity (CRE)
- Racial Justice Initiative (RJ)
- Serving Bay Area Communities (SBAC)
project-based learning: Hyphenate. Do not use acronym PBL until after first reference.
public sector (n.) public sector (adj.): No hyphen

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regranter: one word
reproductive health: No hyphen

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school grades: When used as a noun, no hyphen: eighth grade, fourth grade, first grade, middle school

When used as an adjective, include a hyphen: eighth-grade class, fourth-grade class

All should be lowercased: high school senior.
sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR): Do not use acronym until after first reference. Do not capitalize.
short-term (adj.) short term (n.): Hyphenate as an adjective only
social and emotional learning: Not social emotional learning
sovereignty: The authority and power of a Tribal nation or a Tribal member/individual. Understood to pre-date western contact and held into contemporary times.
startup: No hyphen (as n. or adj.). Example: She is the founder of a startup.
state names: Spell out except for lists, political party affiliation, and photo captions.
strategic planning (n.), strategic-planning (adj.): Hyphenate as an adjective only.
substrategy: Do not hyphenate.
subnational: No hyphen
sub-Saharan Africa: Hyphenate
superscript: Do not use (use 21st century instead of 21st).

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titles: Capitalize if preceding a name: Hewlett Foundation President Larry Kramer. Lowercase if a general reference or following a name: Larry Kramer, foundation president. Lowercase the word “former”: former Secretary of State George Shultz.

In digital content, press releases, and most other documents: Omit personal titles (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr.). After the person has been introduced by first and last name, use the last name. (For instance, “Mayer said” not “Mr. Mayer said.”) First names are acceptable in the blog.

In board meeting minutes and board book bios: Use personal titles (e.g., Ms. Bell, Ms. House, Dr. Fineberg, etc.).
toward: Not “towards.” Per regional difference (“toward” is more American, “towards” more British).
trade-off (n. and adj.) trade off (v.): Hyphenate n. and adj., no hyphen for v.
Tribe, Tribal: Always capitalize the word Tribe or Tribal, even when not referring to a specific Tribe or when used as a common noun.
Tribal citizens: People are citizens, not members, of Tribes. Preferred terms are Tribal citizen, Tribal nation, and Native nation. If you are talking about a specific Native nation and its citizens, use the Tribe’s name rather than the general Native American. For example, say, “According to the Tribal chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe,” or “We spoke with Mary Smith, a citizen of the Navajo Nation.” If unsure of how to refer to a Tribal nation, check the Tribe’s website for the preferred terminology and full legal name.

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underway: One word
United States (n.) U.S. (n. or adj.): Use periods in the abbreviation, U.S. within texts. In headlines, it’s US (no periods).
university names: Either spell out or use abbreviation: Massachusetts Institute of Technology or MIT. No periods with university abbreviations. University of California campus names: use UC [campus name] format. Examples: UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UCI, UCLA, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, UC San Francisco or UCSF, UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz. For other entity examples, please see Grantee Names Guidelines.

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web; website; webinar: Lowercase in all references.
White: *Capitalize in reference to race as with other racial and ethnic identifiers.

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zero emission (n.), zero-emission (adj.): For example: pathway to zero emission, zero-emission vehicles

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