Helms Foundation Inc

IRVINE, CA EIN: 95-6091335

Helms Foundation Inc is a private, non-operating foundation incorporated in California on July 17, 1946, and granted tax-exempt status in August 1947. The foundation is based in Irvine, California, and operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$3.9M

-0.1% YoY

Annual Giving

$176K

+0.3% YoY

Grant Count

+8.5% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$3K

-7.6% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Helms Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $231K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation provides giving primarily for education and to Christian agencies and churches.

Grantmaking

The foundation funds projects across various U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York, and operates in multiple states including California, New York, and Florida.

Grant Range

$2,500

Ready to take the next step with Helms Foundation Inc?

Assess fit for your org Draft an LOI Find open RFPs

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

California $344K (40%)

Texas $202K (23%)

Alaska $133K (15%)

Florida $99K (11%)

New York $33K (4%)

Maryland $25K (3%)

Michigan $10K (1%)

Virginia $10K (1%)

+4 more states

States

Alaska California Colorado Florida Illinois Maryland Michigan North Carolina New York Oregon Texas Virginia

Cities

Aliso ViejoAnaheimAnchorageArlingtonBonitaBoyton BeachBridgeportCamarilloChapel HillChicoChugiakClearwaterColorado SpringsCosta MesaCupertinoDallasEstacadaFairbanksFort LauderdaleFrederick

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of Fiscal Year 2024:

Total Assets: $3.92 million
Total Distributions: $207,000
Total Expenses: $213,000
Revenue: -$29,878 (negative)
Total Liabilities: $0

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2025	2024	2023
Total Assets	$3,917,395	$3,920,596	$4,163,528
Revenue	$206,283	$-29,878	$177,954
Expenses	$214,223	$213,054	$213,045
Qualifying Distributions	$207,833	$206,794	$206,073
Net Investment Income	$201,525	$214,104	$219,835
Distributable Amount	$231,354	$204,763	$201,189

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Grant Size Distribution

244 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Friends of Albert Whitted Airport ($10,000), Kpal ($10,000), Rosary High School ($10,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
ABLE FLIGHT CHAPEL HILL, NC	AVIATION	$2,500
AEROSPACE CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE LAKELAND, FL	AVIATION	$2,000
AK CAT AND DOG RESCUE WASILLA, AK	ANIMAL RESCUE	$1,000
ALASKA POTBELLY PIG RESCUE WASILLA, AK	ANIMAL WELFARE	$2,000
ALASKA SEALIFE CENTER SEWARD, AK	ALASKA'S MARINE ECOSYSTEMS SUPPORT	$2,000
ALASKA WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CENTER GIRDWOOD, AK	ANIMAL WELFARE	$2,000
ALASKA ZOO ANCHORAGE, AK	CONSERVATION OF ARCTIC, SUB-ARCTIC AND LIKE CLIMATE SPECIES THROUGH EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT.	$2,000
ANGEL FLIGHT WEST SANTA MONICA, CA	MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION FOR NEEDY	$2,000
AOPA FOUNDATION FREDERICK, MD	EDUCATE PUBLIC AVIATION	$5,500
BOYS GIRLS CLUB OF FREDERICKSBURG FREDERICKSBURG, TX	YOUTH DEVELOPMENT	$5,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The foundation is led by the following key personnel:

Stephen Helms Bell – President (Chief Executive Officer)
Fonza Bell Lawther – Treasurer (Chief Financial Officer)
Michael F. Kanne – Vice-President
Elizabeth Bennett – Secretary/Assistant Treasurer
Kristen Churchill – Assistant Vice-President

All officers work 1.5 hours per week and receive compensation of $1,500.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

From 2025 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
ELIZABETH BENNETT	SECRETARY/ASSISTANT TREASURER	1.5	$1,500
STEPHEN HELMS BELL	PRESIDENT	1.5	$1,500
FONZA BELL LAWTHER	TREASURER	1.5	$1,500
MICHAEL F KANNE	VICE-PRESIDENT	1.5	$1,500
KRISTEN CHURCHILL	ASSISTANT VICE-PRESIDENT	1.5	$1,500

Contact Information

Address: 18201 Von Karman Ave, Suite 450 Irvine, CA 92612

Phone: 949-475-5800

EIN: 95-6091335

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Helms Foundation Inc fund?

The foundation provides giving primarily for education and to Christian agencies and churches.

How do I apply for a grant from Helms Foundation Inc?

**Grant Activity:** • Median grant size: $2,500 • Maximum grant size: $10,000 • Number of grants awarded (2023): 47 grants • Total distributions (2023): $207,000 The foundation funds projects across various U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York, and operates in multiple states including California, New York, and Florida.

What size grants does Helms Foundation Inc award?

In 2025, Helms Foundation Inc awarded 51 grants totaling $176K — an average of about $3K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Helms Foundation Inc required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Helms Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $231K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.