The Foundation’s history dates back to 1888 when Augusta P. Wiggins undertook the care of a few children who were orphaned or not being wellcared for at home. Wiggins managed to get a dozen or so Saratogians interested in her project and in 1891 the institution was incorporated electing Methodist minister Rev. Bostwick Hawley (1814-1910) president. For the Home's first 16 years orphaned children were cared for in different locations throughout the city.

In November 1904, the Hawley Home moved to its own building on Ludlow Street eventually housing 34 children from Saratoga and Warren counties. The home continued to operate for 61 years until August, 1965 when increasingly complex state regulations forced its closure.

Since that time, its endowment—enhanced by various estates and wills—has allowed a board of managers and trustees to continue Hawley’s tradition of assisting children through grants to organizations that serve the neediest youth in our community and to students who need assistance with college expenses.