Hilmar Rekstens Allmennyttige Fond

Founded in 1971, Hilmar Rekstens Allmennyttige Fond is a grant-making foundation based in Bergen, Norway working on arts & culture, heritage, children & youth +3 more.

Hilmar Rekstens Allmennyttige Fond (HARAF) is a charitable foundation based in Bergen, Norway, established in 1971 by shipowner Hilmar Reksten with a starting capital of 60 million NOK. It supports public-benefit projects, particularly those of collective character, with a focus on culture, heritage, children and youth, and human welfare. Its priorities are Bergen and the Western Norway region, while it remains open to national projects. Funding is granted through board-reviewed proposals, and the foundation takes its own initiatives; unsolicited applications are not considered. Supported projects include the Statsraad Lehmkuhl sailing ship and One Ocean Expedition, a Hardingfele fiddle project, the Prof. Jiri Hlinka Piano Academy, a nursing home curtain project, and the Natteravnene Nesttun night-patrol youth crime prevention initiative. The foundation is regulated under Norwegian foundation law and supervised by Lotteri- og Stiftelsestilsynet.