Craftsmen Cares Foundation
Craftsmen Cares Foundation is a private foundation based in St. Charles, Missouri, that supports charitable causes in the communities where Craftsmen lives and works, with a special focus on underprivileged children and families in need. It files Form 990-PF.
Craftsmen Cares Foundation at a glance
In short: Craftsmen Cares Foundation gave $82K across 78 grants in 2024 (avg $1K), mostly in Missouri. 48% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $81,674
- -5.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 78
- +16.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,047
- -18.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $511
- Total assets
- $18,452
- -71.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 48% first-time grantees (33 of 69, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Missouri (86% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Craftsmen Cares Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation contributes only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 3755 Mueller Road, St Charles, MO 63301
Phone: (636) 757-0500
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Craftsmen Cares Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Welcome Neighbor STL ($19K). Together the top 10 received $40K.
Organizations only. It also paid 8 grants to individuals ($4,715), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
267 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 267 grants of 267 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 86% of grant dollars went to recipients in Missouri, 9% to Illinois, 3% to Iowa, and 1% each to Nebraska and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 78 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Craftsmen Cares Foundation open to new grantees?
48%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 33 of 69 grantees (48%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $681; repeat grants $2K. How we count
Medians: $500 first-time, $765 repeat.
- 51% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 182% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $20K (2020) to $86K (2023). In 2024 it made 78 grants totaling $82K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome Neighbor STL St. Louis, MO | Washers and Dryers for Afghan Families | $19,196 |
| Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital Maryland Heights, MO | To provide a continuum of care for medically complicated children | $3,596 |
| Special Olympics Missouri Jefferson City, MO | Acceptance and Inclusion for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities | $2,500 |
| Salvation Army St Charles, MO | Lunch for Local Volunteers and Staff | $2,237 |
| Youthhope Moline, IL | Donation for Summer Camp and Student Gift Boxes | $2,000 |
| Friends of Kids with Cancer St. Louis, MO | Snarf's Sandwiches for Families of Kids with Cancer | $1,907 |
| Coastal Cares Foundation Troy, MO | Providing Financial Assistance to Those in Need | $1,900 |
| Bethany for Children and Families Moline, IL | Coats for kids, food baskets, and adopt a family | $1,891 |
| Bella Ease Quincy, IL | Clothing donations and supplies for a summer kick off program | $1,696 |
| Grace Church Maryland Heights, MO | Adopt a Family | $1,585 |
Ready to take the next step with Craftsmen Cares Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $18,452 | $52,347 | $98,533 | $81,674 | 78 | $98,533 | $1,734 |
| 2023 | $65,041 | $84,656 | $98,635 | $86,112 | 67 | $98,635 | $3,285 |
| 2022 | $69,620 | $107,682 | $81,580 | $75,212 | 49 | $80,580 | $2,999 |
| 2021 | $35,648 | $31,762 | $38,814 | $28,925 | 44 | $35,214 | $1,967 |
| 2020 | $47,023 | $35,540 | $25,192 | $20,429 | 29 | — | $1,804 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Craftsmen Cares Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it is dedicated to giving back, especially by helping underprivileged children and families in need. Its programs include Readers Are Leaders, which encourages students to read through book donations and rewards, and Pedal to Perfection, which rewards students who meet a perfect-attendance challenge with a bicycle. The foundation also says Wreaths Across America began in 2019 and lays wreaths at three national cemeteries.
Its 2024 grants illustrate support for a range of charitable organizations. For example, Welcome Neighbor STL describes its work as supporting immigrants and refugees as they begin new lives in St. Louis; Special Olympics Missouri says it provides year-round sports and training for people with intellectual disabilities; and Friends of Kids with Cancer says it provides educational, emotional, and recreational support to children with cancer and their families. Other 2024 recipients include organizations whose stated work addresses family assistance, children’s health, suicide prevention, and hunger.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 78 grants totaling $81,674. Grants ranged from $18 to $19,196, with a median grant of $510.
The largest 2024 grant was $19,196 to Welcome Neighbor STL for washers and dryers for Afghan families. Other notable grants included $3,596 to Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital to provide a continuum of care for medically complicated children; $2,500 to Special Olympics Missouri for acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities; $2,237 to the Salvation Army in St. Charles for lunch for local volunteers and staff; and $2,000 to YouthHope for summer camp and student gift boxes.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Louis Helmsing as president, Mark Helmsing as vice president, Alicia Stross as secretary, and Joseph Proehl as treasurer.
Craftsmen Cares Foundation is led by Louis Helmsing, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Louis Helmsing
President
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Proehl
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Helmsing
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alicia Stross
Secretary
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Gaby Valencia (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Karen Boyer (2020) — Secretary
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 Craftsmen Cares Foundation
How much does Craftsmen Cares Foundation give each year?
Craftsmen Cares Foundation gave $82K across 78 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $86K across 67 grants.
What is Craftsmen Cares Foundation's typical grant size?
Craftsmen Cares Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $511, and its average grant was $1,047, across 78 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Craftsmen Cares Foundation that year got $681 on average.
Where does Craftsmen Cares Foundation give grants?
Craftsmen Cares Foundation gives mostly in Missouri: 86% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Illinois (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were St. Louis, MO (13 grants), St Charles, MO (7 grants), Dexter, MO (5 grants) and Sikeston, MO (4 grants).
Does Craftsmen Cares Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 78 grants with a stated purpose on Craftsmen Cares Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Coats for Kids" (14 grants), "To Offset Medical Expenses" (5 grants) and "Adopt a Family" (3 grants).
Who are Craftsmen Cares Foundation's largest grantees?
Craftsmen Cares Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Welcome Neighbor STL ($19,196), Salvation Army ($3,799 across 2 grants) and Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital ($3,596), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 8 grants to individuals ($4,715), which are not listed by name. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Craftsmen Cares Foundation?
Craftsmen Cares Foundation reported $18K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $99K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Craftsmen Cares Foundation fund?
The foundation says it is dedicated to giving back, especially by helping underprivileged children and families in need. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Craftsmen Cares Foundation?
The foundation contributes only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Craftsmen Cares Foundation's EIN?
Craftsmen Cares Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-1963075. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Craftsmen Cares Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Craftsmen Cares Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
World Wide Technology Foundation
St. Louis, MO
The World Wide Technology Foundation funds career readiness, STEM education and workforce development, human services, social justice and basic needs, and health and wellness, with support concentrated in Missouri, especially the St. Louis area, but also reaching organizations elsewhere in the U.S. In 2025, grants ranged from $500 to $608,000, with a median of $8,000. Although its grant program says applications are welcome year-round, the foundation’s filing states that it gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$23.7M
Grants
221
Total Given
$11.3M
Veterans United Foundation
Columbia, MO
Veterans United Foundation supports Veterans, service members, military families, and communities where Veterans United Home Loans has offices, funding community organizations, scholarships, and individual needs. In 2025, its grants had a median of $10,000, with awards ranging from $96 to $1.2 million. Organizations may apply for donations; the profile does not specify whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$36.1M
Grants
386
Total Given
$12.5M
Moneta Group Charitable Foundation
St. Louis, MO
The Moneta Group Charitable Foundation supports financial literacy, economic empowerment and access, and organizations that help communities thrive, with grants concentrated in Missouri and Illinois. In 2024, grants ranged from $200 to $54,000, with a median of $1,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; only Moneta Group employees may submit them.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
161
Total Given
$486K
United Way of Greater St Louis Inc
Saint Louis, MO
United Way of Greater St. Louis funds local nonprofits working on essential needs, youth success, health, financial mobility, and community stability, including direct services and efforts addressing root causes. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,305 to $2.1 million, with a median of about $78,500; it primarily serves a 16-county region in Missouri and Illinois. It accepts applications through listed funding cycles, including a 2027 Targeted Fund cycle due October 12, 2026.
Assets
$122.5M
Grants
294
Total Given
$47.8M
United Way Worldwide
Alexandria, VA
United Way Worldwide funds community programs focused on youth opportunity, health, financial security, education, and disaster relief, with 2024 grants made across multiple U.S. states and internationally. Its 209 reported grants ranged from $5,100 to $736,333, with a median of $22,675. It does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$68.0M
Grants
209
Total Given
$11.4M
More similar funders
More Funders in Missouri
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Craftsmen Cares Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/craftsmen-cares-foundation-morg_6a711d23c8654b31b11fa0e8b9df54cb
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_811963075_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Craftsmen Cares Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/craftsmen-cares-foundation-morg_6a711d23c8654b31b11fa0e8b9df54cb},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Craftsmen Cares Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Craftsmen Cares Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?