Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV
HELEN J URBAN & THOMAS NELSON URBAN is a private foundation based in Orinda, California. Its 2025 filing lists grants to charitable organizations in several states, with purposes reported as general operating budget.
Key facts about Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV
In short: Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV gave $56K across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $4K), mostly in California. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 42-1441832
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $56,228
- Grants made (2025)
- 13
- Average grant
- $4,325
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 13, 2025; small sample)
- Total assets
- $1,165,680
- Primary geography
- California (56% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.2M
+1.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$56K
+3.3% YoY
Grant Count
13
-13.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$4K
+19.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV reported a distributable amount of $73K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 13 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. How we count
- 85% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+2%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 77% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants include support for schools and arts organizations, as well as organizations working in areas reflected by grantee names such as conservation, youth services, housing, and access.
The Rhode Island School of Design, which received $5,000 in 2025, describes its own mission as educating students and the public in the creation and appreciation of art and design, transmitting knowledge, and contributing to global society through critical thinking, scholarship, and innovation.
Grantmaking
The foundation reported 13 grants totaling $56,228 in 2025. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $6,098, with a median of $5,000. It reported 15 grants totaling $54,416 in 2024 and 15 grants totaling $54,480 in 2023.
Among its largest grants in 2025 were $6,098 to Planned Parenthood Shasta Diablo Inc.; $5,157 to Randolph School; $5,000 each to Athenian School, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Julia Morgan School, Montalvo Arts Center, Rhode Island School of Design, and the College of Visual and Performing Arts; $4,216 to Access Fund; $4,120 to The Nature Conservancy of California; $4,064 to Youth Beat; and $2,073 to East Bay Habitat for Humanity Inc. Each grant’s stated purpose was general operating budget.
How to Apply
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Ready to take the next step with Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, grant dollars were distributed among recipients in California (56%), New York (18%), Michigan (9%), Rhode Island (9%), and Colorado (7%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $54K (2024) to $59K (2021). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $56K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Planned Parenthood Shasta Diablo Inc ($6K). Together the top 10 received $50K.
Grant Size Distribution
75 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 75 grants of 75 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Planned Parenthood Shasta Diablo Inc Concord, CA | General Operating Budget | $6,098 |
| Randolph School Wappingers Falls, NY | General Operating Budget | $5,157 |
| Athenian School Danville, CA | General Operating Budget | $5,000 |
| Cranbrook Academy of Art Bloomfield Hills, MI | General Operating Budget | $5,000 |
| Julia Morgan School Oakland, CA | General Operating Budget | $5,000 |
| Montalvo Arts Center Saratoga, CA | General Operating Budget | $5,000 |
| Rhode Island School of Design Providence, RI | General Operating Budget | $5,000 |
| College of Visual and Performing Arts Syracuse, NY | General Operating Budget | $5,000 |
| Access Fund Boulder, CO | General Operating Budget | $4,216 |
| The Nature Conservancy of California San Francisco, CA | General Operating Budget | $4,120 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Grant total | Number of grants |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $56,228 | 13 |
| 2024 | $54,416 | 15 |
| 2023 | $54,480 | 15 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,165,680 | $1,154,068 | $1,128,541 |
| Revenue | $96,025 | $106,180 | $186,210 |
| Expenses | $84,413 | $80,653 | $80,011 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $56,228 | $54,416 | $54,480 |
| Net Investment Income | $67,840 | $79,943 | $160,679 |
| Distributable Amount | $73,371 | $70,027 | $64,984 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 24, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 15, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Theodore Steven Urban, Tao Bernardus Urban, Ian Nelson Urban, and Aundra E Urban as trustees.
Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV's 2025 filing lists 4 officers; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Aundra E. Urban
Trustee
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
$13K (2023) → $0 (2025)
Ian Nelson Urban
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tao Bernardus Urban
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Theodore Steven Urban
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $14K, to Aundra E Urban (Trustee).
Contact
Mailing address: 38 La Campana Rd, Orinda, CA 94563
Phone: (925) 381-7416
Frequently asked questions about Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV
How much does Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV give each year?
Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV gave $56K across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $54K across 15 grants.
What is Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV's typical grant size?
Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $4,325, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV give grants?
Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV gives mostly in California: 56% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (18%) and Michigan (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Oakland, CA (3 grants).
Does Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (13 of 13) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV's largest grantees?
Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV's largest 2025 grantees include Planned Parenthood Shasta Diablo Inc ($6,098), Randolph School ($5,157) and Athenian School ($5,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV?
Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $56K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $73K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants include support for schools and arts organizations, as well as organizations working in areas reflected by grantee names such as conservation, youth services, housing, and access. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV?
The foundation states that it makes contributions 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 Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV's EIN?
Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1441832. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV 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 September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
IBM International Foundation
Armonk, NY
The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
Cinema Napa Valley
Napa, CA
Cinema Napa Valley is a non-profit corporation seeking to enrich the Napa community through education, community outreach, and partnerships. Each year Cinema Napa Valley celebrates the cinematic arts, our community and independent filmmakers and storytellers by presenting the Napa Valley Film Festival (NVFF), a world-class cultural experience immersed in the art of film, food, and wine.
Assets
$98K
Grants
3
Total Given
$15K
Paige Lin Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
Assets
$73K
Grants
3
Total Given
$2K
Blaire and Benno Dorer Foundation
Mill Valley, CA
Assets
$3.8M
Grants
5
Total Given
$112K
Animal Legal Defense Fund Inc
Washington, DC
The Animal Legal Defense Fund's mission is to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system. The Animal Legal Defense Fund accomplishes this mission by filing high impact lawsuits to protect animals from harm, providing free legal assistance and training for animal cruelty case stakeholders to ensure justice for victim animals, supporting tough animal protection legislation and fighting legislation harmful to animals, and providing resources and opportunities to law students and professionals to advance the emerging field of animal law.
Assets
$24.8M
Grants
6
Total Given
$473K
National Endowment
Denver, CO
NEFE funds rigorous, actionable research on financial education and financial well-being that addresses U.S. households, systems, issues, or trends; eligible researchers must be affiliated with a U.S. nonprofit institution. Most grants are typically $25,000–$250,000, and applicants may submit a letter of inquiry through its portal once a year.
Assets
$154.8M
Grants
10
Total Given
$389K
Cerity Partners Foundation
Novato, CA
Cerity Partners Foundation funds charitable and educational organizations for general operating support, scholarships, and community projects, with grants spanning education, older-adult services, the arts, and other causes. Its 2025 itemized grants ranged from $5,500 to $1,001,000, with a median of $11,250, and were concentrated in California, Oregon, and New York. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$35.6M
Grants
118
Total Given
$3.7M
Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation
Melbourne, FL
Assets
—
Grants
13
Total Given
$219K
San Juan Island Community Foundation
Friday Harbor, WA
The San Juan Island Community Foundation funds nonprofit programs and operations that improve quality of life on San Juan Island, as well as scholarships for local students pursuing post-secondary or trades education; outside organizations may apply if their work directly benefits the community. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,097 to $266,766, with a median of $15,038. It accepts grant applications through annual cycles, but requires a pre-application meeting unless staff waive it.
Assets
$13.0M
Grants
40
Total Given
$1.1M
Neil & Amelia McDaniel Charitable Trust Dtd 11/01/77
South Pasadena, CA
The trust’s 2023 grants supported varied charitable work, including literacy, food assistance, homelessness services, and arts, with a median grant of $5,000; amounts ranged from $250 to $1,874,614, including a large dissolution-related grant. Its grants went mainly to Massachusetts and California organizations, but its 2023 filing is marked final, and it accepts no unsolicited requests.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$2.3M
Becton Family Foundation
Homosassa, FL
The Becton Family Foundation funds arts and music, schools, conservation and heritage projects, and human services, with most 2025 grant dollars going to Maine and additional support in Massachusetts, Florida, California, and Connecticut. Grants ranged from $250 to $35,000, with a median of $2,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$162K
Grants
110
Total Given
$465K
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/helen-j-urban-and-thomas-nelson-urban-charitable-foundation-iv-morg_db197d7f165f4aa8a6edf581cab7f001
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_421441832_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Helen J Urban \& Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/helen-j-urban-and-thomas-nelson-urban-charitable-foundation-iv-morg_db197d7f165f4aa8a6edf581cab7f001},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. 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 Helen J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV'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 J Urban & Thomas Nelson Urban Charitable Foundation IV down — hundreds of funders to go?