Helzel Family Foundation
The mission of the Helzel Family Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the san francisco bay area and beyond through support of not-for-profit educational, arts, and cultural institutions. The foundation supports organizations and pursues partnerships committed to the highest level of achievement and excellence, with a goal of directly affecting individual lives. The hff is a supporting organization of the east bay community foundation.
Helzel Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Helzel Family Foundation gave $20.6M across 2 grants in 2022 (avg $10.3M), mostly in California. Source: 2022 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2022)
- $20,555,005
- Grants made (2022)
- 2
- Average grant
- $10,277,503
- Median grant
- $10,277,503
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2022 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2022 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2022; updated September 2026. Covers 16 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Who Helzel Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2022
The largest 2022 recipient was East Bay Community Foundation ($20.5M). Together the top 2 received $20.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
33 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 19 grants of 33 (58%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2022 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2022, annual grant giving ranged from $678K (2020) to $20.6M (2022, 16 months). In 2022 it made 2 grants totaling $20.6M.
*2022: Covers 16 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
*2022: Covers 16 months (fiscal year-end changed).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| East Bay Community Foundation Oakland, CA | General Support | $20,530,005 |
| Northern Light School Oakland, CA | Student Scholarships | $25,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022* | — | $816,249 | $20,845,761 | $20,555,005 | 2 | $640,552 |
| 2021 | $21,135,607 | $1,927,374 | $998,489 | $727,500 | 16 | $1,664,884 |
| 2020 | $17,893,603 | $711,649 | $888,438 | $677,500 | 15 | $367,651 |
*2022: Covers 16 months (fiscal year-end changed).
About Helzel Family Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Helzel Family Foundation is a public charity, based in Oakland, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2022. In 2022, it awarded 2 grants totaling $20.6M. Net investment income was $641K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Helzel Family Foundation is led by Deborah Kirshman, President & Board Chair on every filing since 2020; none of the 7 officers listed in 2022 report compensation.
Officers on the 2022 filing
Deborah Kirshman
President & Board Chair
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Kirshman
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Mendel
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Edward Blum
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Edward G. Liebst
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary Shapiro
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lawrence Helzel
Vice President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2022. "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 Helzel Family Foundation
How much does Helzel Family Foundation give each year?
Helzel Family Foundation gave $20.6M across 2 grants in 2022, according to its 2022 IRS Form 990. The 2022 filing year covers 16 months because its fiscal year-end changed. In 2021 it gave $728K across 16 grants.
Where does Helzel Family Foundation operate?
Helzel Family Foundation has awarded grants in California.
What is Helzel Family Foundation's EIN?
Helzel Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-2597088. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2022.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 6, 2023)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2022
Live grants for the work Helzel Family Foundation funds
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Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in California
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