Helen Houston Owen Foundation
Helen Houston Owen Foundation is a private foundation, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $4.9M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 8 grants totaling $355K. Net investment income was $1.1M.
Helen Houston Owen Foundation at a glance
In short: Helen Houston Owen Foundation gave $355K across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $44K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $355,389
- +12.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 8
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $44,424
- +12.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $32,500
- Total assets
- $4,941,854
- +16.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (92% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
Who Helen Houston Owen Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association ($100K). Together the top 8 received $355K.
Grant Size Distribution
36 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 24 grants of 36 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Helen Houston Owen Foundation gives
- Giving grew 44% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 112% of 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $135K (2020) to $355K (2025). In 2025 it made 8 grants totaling $355K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association Pasadena, CA | General Support | $100,000 |
| Pasadena Unified School District Pasadena, CA | General Support | $65,000 |
| Pasadena Guild of Children's Hospital Pasadena, CA | General Support | $60,000 |
| St Francis High School Lacanada, CA | General Support | $35,000 |
| First African Methodist Church of Pasa Pasadena, CA | General Support | $30,000 |
| Project Restore Glen Carbon, IL | General Support | $29,000 |
| Pasadena Museum of History Pasadena, CA | General Support | $25,000 |
| Clifford Swan Investment Counsel Pasadena, CA | General Support | $11,389 |
Ready to take the next step with Helen Houston Owen Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,941,854 | $1,178,939 | $493,879 | $355,389 | 8 | $412,016 | $1,096,155 | $366,632 |
| 2024 | $4,233,417 | $616,782 | $461,492 | $316,000 | 8 | $339,289 | $501,263 | $367,628 |
| 2023 | $4,105,837 | $453,456 | $442,018 | $306,500 | 7 | $329,290 | $355,139 | $345,774 |
| 2022 | $4,044,218 | $1,348,371 | $409,263 | $246,500 | 6 | $269,128 | $1,221,166 | $300,307 |
| 2021 | $3,119,001 | $716,469 | $340,136 | $225,000 | 7 | $242,700 | $631,809 | $285,282 |
| 2020 | $2,733,082 | $389,138 | $219,377 | $135,000 | 6 | — | $333,443 | $252,684 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Helen Houston Owen Foundation reported a distributable amount of $367K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Helen Houston Owen Foundation's only listed officer is BMO Bank N A, Trustee on every filing since 2023 (compensated).
Officers on the 2025 filing
BMO Bank N A
Trustee
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
$43K (2023) → $46K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Bank Of The West (2020–2022) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $46K, to BMO Bank N a (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Helen Houston Owen Foundation
How much does Helen Houston Owen Foundation give each year?
Helen Houston Owen Foundation gave $355K across 8 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $316K across 8 grants.
What is Helen Houston Owen Foundation's typical grant size?
Helen Houston Owen Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $32,500, and its average grant was $44,424, across 8 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Helen Houston Owen Foundation give grants?
Helen Houston Owen Foundation gives mostly in California: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Illinois (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Pasadena, CA (6 grants).
Does Helen Houston Owen Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Helen Houston Owen Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Helen Houston Owen Foundation's largest grantees?
Helen Houston Owen Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association ($100,000), Pasadena Unified School District ($65,000) and Pasadena Guild of Children's Hospital ($60,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Helen Houston Owen Foundation?
Helen Houston Owen Foundation reported $4.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $412K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $367K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Helen Houston Owen Foundation's EIN?
Helen Houston Owen Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-2678484. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 27, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Helen Houston Owen Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Helen Houston Owen Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Malou Foundation
Pasadena, CA
The Malou Foundation supports health care and medical projects, performing arts, recreation, and charitable giving, with most 2024 grant dollars going to California and additional funding in Missouri, Georgia, Hawaii, and New York. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $93,334, with a median of $8,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$21.8M
Grants
42
Total Given
$725K
Western Asset Management Company
Pasadena, CA
Western Asset Management Company funds education, humanitarian aid, religious activities, and other charitable work, primarily in California, with some giving in New York and other states. Its 2026 grants ranged from $100 to $6,772, with a median of $1,000. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$10K
Grants
66
Total Given
$55K
Apin Oberman Foundation
Roseville, CA
Assets
$531
Grants
0
Total Given
$100
Valerie Adams Memorial Charitable Trust
Roswell, GA
Assets
$16K
Grants
2
Total Given
$16K
Lund Family Foundation
La Canada, CA
Assets
$2.1M
Grants
5
Total Given
$322K
Joy Family Foundation
Buffalo, NY
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
5
Total Given
$65K
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Helen Houston Owen 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.
Helen Houston Owen Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?