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.
Key facts about Helzel Family Foundation
In short: Helzel Family Foundation gave $20.6M across 2 grants in 2022 (avg $10.3M), mostly in California. Source: 2022 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 94-2597088
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2022
- 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)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2022; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2022 IRS Form 990 · Covers 16 months (fiscal year-end changed) · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$20.6M
Grant Count
2
Avg Grant Size
$10.3M
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
Ready to take the next step with Helzel Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2022 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
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).
Grant Insights
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%).
Giving History
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 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
*2022: Covers 16 months (fiscal year-end changed).
| Metric | 2022* | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | $21,135,607 | $17,893,603 |
| Revenue | $816,249 | $1,927,374 | $711,649 |
| Expenses | $20,845,761 | $998,489 | $888,438 |
| Net Investment Income | $640,552 | $1,664,884 | $367,651 |
*2022: Covers 16 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Data update history
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
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.
Here's the math on researching Helzel Family Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Helzel Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in California
East Bay Community Foundation
Oakland, CA
East Bay Community Foundation funds racial, social, and economic justice, including community organizing, arts and culture, capacity building, and inclusive economic models, with priority for community-led organizations serving marginalized communities. Its 2025 median grant was $25,000; its core focus is Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Most program grants are by invitation, though application opportunities open periodically and some donor-created funds offer grants.
Assets
$514.0M
Grants
842
Total Given
$62.8M
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco the Peninsula Marin & Sonoma
San Francisco, CA
Jewish Federation Bay Area funds programs that strengthen Jewish life, combat antisemitism, respond to crises, support people in need, and advance justice and inclusion. Its work focuses on the Bay Area, Israel, and beyond; 2025 grants had a median of $22,750, though amounts varied widely. It frequently issues requests for proposals and welcomes inquiries about its process, but no current opportunities are listed.
Assets
$2.0B
Grants
1,032
Total Given
$94.5M
Walter and Elise Haas Fund
San Francisco, CA
The Walter and Elise Haas Fund supports Bay Area organizations advancing economic well-being—including racial and gender wealth equity and nonprofit worker well-being—and social well-being, belonging, and community connection. In 2024, grants ranged from $100 to $500,000, with a median of $30,000; its grantmaking focuses on the Bay Area, particularly Oakland and San Francisco. The information provided does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$262.0M
Grants
242
Total Given
$11.6M
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals
Oakland, CA
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals supports community health, health-care access, and efforts addressing health inequities, including mental and behavioral health, housing, and employment. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, with most grant dollars going to California; Southern California grants focus on its 14 service areas. For Southern California regional grants, unsolicited letters of inquiry and proposals are not accepted; other application routes described include invited inquiries and open event sponsorship applications.
Assets
$87.4B
Grants
1,122
Total Given
$225.4M
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation funds work in education, health, housing, immigration, and other community needs, primarily in Los Angeles County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, though amounts varied widely; it does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, gender equity, governance, democracy, and philanthropy, with work in the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, nationally, and internationally. Its 2024 grants had a median of $150,000, though awards ranged from $50 to more than $11 million; it often provides long-term general operating support. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, except through invited open processes.
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
Marin Community Foundation
Novato, CA
Marin Community Foundation funds equity-focused work, including affordable housing, homelessness, community resilience and power, and arts; its Buck Family Fund supports organizations serving Marin County, including those based elsewhere. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000 and ranged from $5,050 to $10 million; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,573
Total Given
$186.1M
Direct Relief
Santa Barbara, CA
Direct Relief funds community health centers, free and charitable clinics, educational institutions, and other organizations addressing health inequities, and provides medical supplies for healthcare facilities serving underserved communities and people affected by emergencies. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,500 to $4.34 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work across the U.S. and more than 80 countries. The available information does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,367
Total Given
$337.4M
Conrad N Hilton Foundation
Westlake Village, CA
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation funds nonprofits working to improve lives and alleviate poverty, with initiatives including early childhood development, homelessness, refugees, safe water, and support for foster and opportunity youth. Its work is global, and its 2024 grants had a median award of $76,000. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, except through its Good Neighbor Program for eligible local nonprofits and Title 1 schools.
Assets
$7.4B
Grants
1,339
Total Given
$287.7M
The San Diego Foundation
San Diego, CA
The San Diego Foundation supports nonprofits advancing racial and social justice, equity of opportunity, and resilient communities, with grants for projects, capacity building, or general support. Its 2025 itemized grants had a median of $25,000, with awards ranging from $5,100 to nearly $5 million; it generally funds organizations serving San Diego County residents, though some grants reach beyond the county. Applications are made through posted funding opportunities, and the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$1.7B
Grants
1,158
Total Given
$94.3M
The California Endowment
Los Angeles, CA
The California Endowment funds health and racial equity, including health care access, community health, organizing, and policy change, primarily in California. Its 2024 grants had a median of $100,000, though amounts varied widely; it does not accept unsolicited requests and funds preselected organizations only.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,125
Total Given
$215.9M
More Funders in California
Helzel Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?