Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn
Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn is a private foundation based in Chelsea, Michigan. Its 2024 filing says it makes contributions to charitable, religious, or educational organizations described under Section 501(c)(3), with contributions expected to include organizations involved with disadvantaged and medically impaired children, community improvement, and education.
Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn at a glance
In short: Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn gave $151K across 33 grants in 2024 (avg $5K), mostly in Michigan. 55% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $150,695
- -17.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 33
- +57.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $4,567
- -47.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $250
- Total assets
- $685,740
- +1.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 55% first-time grantees (18 of 33, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (98% 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 Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Its filing lists Richard Helppie Jr as the contact and specifies a written request with proof of charitable exempt status. Contributions are restricted to other charitable, religious, or educational organizations under Section 501(c)(3), with expected support for organizations involved with disadvantaged and medically impaired children, community improvement, and education.
- Contact
Application contact: Richard Helppie Jr
Mailing address: PO Box 590, Chelsea, MI 48118-0590
Phone: (248) 386-8300
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Guidance Center ($110K). Together the top 10 received $146K.
Grant Size Distribution
94 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 89 grants of 94 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan. The remaining reported shares were Texas (1%), Hawaii (1%), Indiana (0%), and Missouri (0%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 33 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn open to new grantees?
55%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 18 of 33 grantees (55%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $162; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $106 first-time, $1K repeat.
- 45% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 39% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 461% of 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 $151K (2024) to $313K (2020). In 2024 it made 33 grants totaling $151K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Guidance Center Southgate, MI | General Fund Support | $110,000 |
| Eisenhower Health Foundation Ann Arbor, MI | General Funds | $16,280 |
| Trinity Lutheran Church Detroit, MI | General Funds | $11,375 |
| Fairhaven Baptist Church Westland, MI | General Funds | $2,400 |
| Purple Rose Theater Chelsea, MI | General Fund Support | $2,000 |
| Escot Youth Development Westland, MI | General Funds | $1,021 |
| Bettie D Gonzalez Fndtn of Hop Bettie D Gonzalez Fndtn of Hope Gordonville, TX | General Funds | $1,000 |
| Cornerstone Schools Detroit, MI | General Fund Support | $1,000 |
| St Paul Lutheran Church Ann Arbor, MI | General Funds | $550 |
| Leader Dogs for the Blind Rochester Hills, MI | General Fund Support | $518 |
Ready to take the next step with Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $685,740 | $174,717 | $159,034 | $150,695 | 33 | $150,695 | $87,198 | $32,699 |
| 2023 | $677,222 | $65,196 | $190,689 | $182,014 | 21 | $182,014 | $13,168 | $33,988 |
| 2022 | $723,054 | $13,467 | $206,944 | $192,915 | 12 | $192,915 | $13,430 | $43,280 |
| 2021 | $1,065,125 | $202,136 | $259,101 | $245,768 | 15 | $245,768 | $27,436 | $56,485 |
| 2020 | $1,187,110 | $471,588 | $321,752 | $312,971 | 13 | — | $268,794 | $39,819 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn reported a distributable amount of $33K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s filing does not state a mission. Its stated contribution areas include organizations involved with disadvantaged and medically impaired children, community improvement, and education.
Its 2024 grants included support for organizations whose own missions span different areas. The Guidance Center describes its mission as nurturing development, fostering resilience, and cultivating well-being. ESCOT Youth Development describes its work as promoting cultural and athletic events, health, and education. Leader Dogs for the Blind says it empowers people who are blind or visually impaired with skills for safe, independent daily travel.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 33 grants totaling $150,695. Awards ranged from $100 to $110,000, with a median of $250. The largest grants were $110,000 to The Guidance Center for general fund support, $16,280 to Eisenhower Health Foundation for general funds, and $11,375 to Trinity Lutheran Church for general funds. Other grants included $2,400 to Fairhaven Baptist Church and $2,000 to Purple Rose Theater.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Richard D Helppie Jr as president/director, Leslie S Helppie as secretary/director, and Susan M Synor as treasurer/director.
Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn is led by Richard D. Helppie Jr., President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Richard D. Helppie Jr.
President & Director
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leslie S. Helppie
Secretary & Director
Vice President & Director → Secretary & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan M. Synor
Treasurer & Director
Secretary, Treasurer & Director → Treasurer & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn
How much does Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn give each year?
Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn gave $151K across 33 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $182K across 21 grants.
What is Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn's typical grant size?
Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn's median grant in 2024 was $250, and its average grant was $4,567, across 33 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn that year got $162 on average.
Where does Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn give grants?
Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn gives mostly in Michigan: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Ann Arbor, MI (4 grants), Detroit, MI (3 grants), Southfield, MI (3 grants) and Westland, MI (2 grants).
Does Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (33 of 33) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn's largest grantees?
Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn's largest 2024 grantees include The Guidance Center ($110,000), Eisenhower Health Foundation ($16,280) and Trinity Lutheran Church ($11,375), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 91% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn?
Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn reported $686K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $151K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $33K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn fund?
The foundation’s filing does not state a mission. Its stated contribution areas include organizations involved with disadvantaged and medically impaired children, community improvement, and education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn?
The foundation 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 Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn's EIN?
Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3374687. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn 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.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Michigan
Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
Detroit, MI
The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan funds nonprofits working in economic opportunity, health equity, youth and education, arts and culture, and public space and the environment across seven southeast Michigan counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, though awards varied widely; organizations begin with a brief proposal, and selected applicants are invited to submit a full application.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
938
Total Given
$105.1M
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
United Way for Southeastern Michigan
Detroit, MI
United Way for Southeastern Michigan funds basic needs, youth opportunity, family financial stability, and racial-equity work, primarily across Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, though amounts varied widely; listed opportunities include specific funds, but the profile does not state a general policy on unsolicited requests.
Assets
$59.9M
Grants
360
Total Given
$81.1M
WK Kellogg Foundation
Battle Creek, MI
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation funds work to help children, families, and communities thrive, including early education, health equity, food systems, family economic well-being, and racial equity. In 2025, its grants ranged from $50 to nearly $5 million, with a median of $100,000; it funds across the United States, with long-term commitments in several states and communities, as well as parts of Mexico and Haiti. It accepts unsolicited proposals online at any time.
Assets
$481.0M
Grants
1,818
Total Given
$303.9M
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
Flint, MI
The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation funds nonprofits working in civil society, youth engagement, environmental sustainability, and Flint-area community development, in Flint and communities around the world. Its 2024 grants had a median of $55,000, though awards ranged widely; it does not accept unsolicited funding requests and supports preselected organizations.
Assets
$3.8B
Grants
834
Total Given
$166.4M
The Kresge Foundation
Troy, MI
The Kresge Foundation funds nonprofit operations, projects, and planning across arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services, and community development, with a focus on equity and opportunity in U.S. cities—especially Detroit, Memphis, New Orleans, and Fresno. Its 2024 grants ranged from $150 to $5 million, with a median of $140,000. Program teams most often invite applicants, though some programs issue open calls or RFPs; unsolicited requests are not described as generally accepted.
Assets
$4.0B
Grants
800
Total Given
$170.0M
More similar funders
More Funders in Michigan
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/helppie-family-charitable-foundtn-morg_558284adfe96433a933c4f46e457c2ab
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_383374687_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/helppie-family-charitable-foundtn-morg_558284adfe96433a933c4f46e457c2ab},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. 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 Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn'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.
Helppie Family Charitable Foundtn down — hundreds of funders to go?