Al and Helen Free Foundation
Al and Helen Free Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Dallas, TX. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $410K. Net investment income was $364K.
Al and Helen Free Foundation at a glance
In short: Al and Helen Free Foundation gave $410K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $59K), mostly in Indiana. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $410,494
- +980.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- +600.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $58,642
- +54.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $12,494
- Primary geography
- Indiana (83% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Al and Helen Free Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc (#1) ($240K). Together the top 7 received $410K.
Grant Size Distribution
9 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 6 grants of 9 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How Al and Helen Free Foundation gives
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $28K (2020) to $410K (2024). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $410K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc (#1) Elkhart, IN | Al and Helen Free Scholarship Fund | $240,000 |
| Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc (#2) Elkhart, IN | Penny Free Memorial Fund | $92,000 |
| Miracosta College Foundation Oceanside, CA | General Contribution | $50,000 |
| Fidelity Charitable Boston, MA | General Contribution | $12,494 |
| E3 Robotics Center Inc Elkhart, IN | General Contribution | $7,000 |
| Southern Methodist University (SMU) Dallas, TX | General Contribution | $6,500 |
| Our Little Roses Foreign Mission Society Inc Miami Shores, FL | General Contribution | $2,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | — | $372,547 | $416,866 | $410,494 | 7 | $410,494 | $364,279 | $22,502 |
| 2023 | $205,296 | $5,935 | $43,242 | $38,000 | 1 | $38,000 | $693 | $17,931 |
| 2022 | $256,815 | $5,690 | $12 | — | — | — | $5,678 | $16,348 |
| 2021 | $172,650 | $5,588 | $2,500 | — | — | — | $3,088 | — |
| 2020 | $102,525 | $5,575 | $30,500 | $28,000 | 1 | — | $3,075 | $11,134 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Al and Helen Free Foundation reported a distributable amount of $23K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Al and Helen Free Foundation is led by Nina Lovejoy, President since 2023 (on filings since 2022); none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Nina Lovejoy
President
Secretary → President, 2023
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Bonnie Chadwick
Secretary & Treasurer
President → Secretary & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Bonnie Free Grisz (2020–2021) — Secretary & Treasurer
- Former: Helen Free (2020–2021) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Al and Helen Free Foundation
How much does Al and Helen Free Foundation give each year?
Al and Helen Free Foundation gave $410K across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $38K across 1 grant.
What is Al and Helen Free Foundation's typical grant size?
Al and Helen Free Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $12,494, and its average grant was $58,642, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Al and Helen Free Foundation give grants?
Al and Helen Free Foundation gives mostly in Indiana: 83% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Elkhart, IN (3 grants).
Does Al and Helen Free Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 71% of Al and Helen Free Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Al and Helen Free Foundation's largest grantees?
Al and Helen Free Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc (#1) ($240,000), Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc (#2) ($92,000) and Miracosta College Foundation ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 93% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
What is Al and Helen Free Foundation?
Al and Helen Free Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Dallas, TX.
How much is Al and Helen Free Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Al and Helen Free Foundation reported a distributable amount of $23K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Al and Helen Free Foundation's EIN?
Al and Helen Free Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-2032526. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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