Helen McBee
Helen McBee is a private foundation, based in Saint Louis, MO. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.9M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 6 grants totaling $114K. Net investment income was $67K.
Helen McBee at a glance
In short: Helen McBee gave $114K across 6 grants in 2025 (avg $19K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $114,000
- +5.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 6
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $19,000
- +5.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $14,250
- Total assets
- $1,906,744
- -2.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Helen McBee funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Unversity of NC at Greensboro ($34K). Together the top 6 received $114K.
Grant Size Distribution
32 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 32 grants of 32 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Helen McBee gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+4%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 103% 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $95K (2019) to $114K (2025). In 2025 it made 6 grants totaling $114K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Unversity of NC at Greensboro Greensboro, NC | General Operating | $34,200 |
| Avery County Morrison Public Library Newland, NC | General Operating | $28,500 |
| Bakersville Baptist Church Bakersville, NC | General Operation | $17,100 |
| Town of Bakersville Bakersville, NC | General Operation | $11,400 |
| Bakersville Community Medical Center Bakersville, NC | General Operation | $11,400 |
| Mitchell County Historical Society Bakersville, NC | General Operation | $11,400 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,906,744 | $97,057 | $149,507 | $114,000 | 6 | $118,441 | $66,579 | $114,460 |
| 2024 | $1,958,478 | $62,438 | $139,543 | $108,000 | 6 | $112,047 | $38,244 | $122,067 |
| 2023 | $2,021,763 | $16,702 | $133,658 | $104,000 | 6 | $107,905 | $34,015 | $101,056 |
| 2022 | $2,139,028 | $50,599 | $149,907 | $110,000 | 8 | $113,992 | $36,100 | $107,525 |
| 2021 | $2,238,894 | $407,764 | $130,040 | $95,000 | 6 | $99,209 | $378,403 | $115,966 |
| 2020 | $1,961,935 | $127,794 | $126,846 | $95,000 | 6 | — | $101,329 | $103,946 |
| 2019 | $1,960,111 | $90,390 | $125,437 | $95,000 | 6 | — | $61,417 | $103,765 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Helen McBee reported a distributable amount of $114K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Helen McBee's only listed officer is Wells Fargo Bank N A, Trustee on every filing since 2019 (compensated).
Officers on the 2025 filing
Wells Fargo Bank N A
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$28K (2019) → $33K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $33K, to Wells Fargo Bank N a (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Helen McBee
How much does Helen McBee give each year?
Helen McBee gave $114K across 6 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $108K across 6 grants.
What is Helen McBee's typical grant size?
Helen McBee's median grant in 2025 was $14,250, and its average grant was $19,000, across 6 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Helen McBee give grants?
Helen McBee gives mostly in North Carolina: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Bakersville, NC (4 grants).
Does Helen McBee give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Helen McBee's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Helen McBee's largest grantees?
Helen McBee's largest 2025 grantees include Unversity of NC at Greensboro ($34,200), Avery County Morrison Public Library ($28,500) and Bakersville Baptist Church ($17,100), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 70% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Helen McBee?
Helen McBee reported $1.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $118K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $114K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Helen McBee's EIN?
Helen McBee's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-6453865. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 3, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 4, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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