R4 Foundation
R4 Foundation is a private foundation based in Fort Worth, Texas. It says it will “listen, learn, and act with agility to help people in need adapt hope into reality,” and its grantmaking supports wellness, education, the arts, and community charitable purposes.
R4 Foundation at a glance
In short: R4 Foundation gave $922K across 67 grants in 2024 (avg $14K), mostly in Texas. 13% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $921,500
- -8.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 67
- +6.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $13,754
- -13.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $16,226,329
- -4.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (9 of 67, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Texas (61% 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 R4 Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s 2024 filing lists Bret Helmer as the contact and says applicants should submit a written application following the guidelines in the grant application on the foundation’s website. Grants are restricted almost exclusively to 501(c)(3) organizations furthering wellness, education, arts, and community charitable purposes.
- Review Cycle
- None listed.
- Deadline
- None listed.
- Contact
Application contact: Bret Helmer
Mailing address: 5804 Edwards Ranch Road, Fort Worth, TX 76109
Phone: (817) 336-6500
Email: bhelmer@r4foundation.org
Website: https://r4foundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who R4 Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Breakthrough T1D ($250K). Together the top 10 received $516K.
Grant Size Distribution
315 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 305 grants of 315 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Fort Worth, Texas. In 2024, 61% of grant dollars went to Texas recipients, 27% to New York, 5% to Georgia, 3% to New Jersey, and 2% to Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 67 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is R4 Foundation open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 9 of 67 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $39K; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 75% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−16%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 94% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $876K (2020) to $1.1M (2021). In 2024 it made 67 grants totaling $922K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Breakthrough T1D New York, NY | Assist in Meeting the Recipient Organization's Exempt Purpose | $250,000 |
| Center for Transforming Lives Fort Worth, TX | Assist in Meeting the Recipient Organization's Exempt Purpose | $50,000 |
| The University of Georgia Foundation Athens, GA | Assist in Meeting the Recipient Organization's Exempt Purpose | $50,000 |
| Community Foundation of North Texas Fort Worth, TX | Assist in Meeting the Recipient Organization's Exempt Purpose | $40,000 |
| University Christian Church Fort Worth, TX | Assist in Meeting the Recipient Organization's Exempt Purpose | $35,000 |
| North Texas Community Foundation Fort Worth, TX | Assist in Meeting the Recipient Organization's Exempt Purpose | $25,000 |
| Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation Woodcliff, NJ | Assist in Meeting the Recipient Organization's Exempt Purpose | $25,000 |
| One Safe Place Fort Worth, TX | Assist in Meeting the Recipient Organization's Exempt Purpose | $17,500 |
| Lena Pope Fort Worth, TX | Assist in Meeting the Recipient Organization's Exempt Purpose | $13,000 |
| Academy 4 Fort Worth, TX | Assist in Meeting the Recipient Organization's Exempt Purpose | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with R4 Foundation?
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 | $16,226,329 | $680,590 | $1,353,029 | $921,500 | 67 | $1,158,695 | $512,544 | $1,234,773 |
| 2023 | $16,898,680 | $1,340,184 | $1,367,592 | $1,001,100 | 63 | $1,237,117 | $1,219,202 | $1,091,896 |
| 2022 | $17,373,848 | $471,041 | $1,260,497 | $894,500 | 61 | $1,135,715 | $335,840 | $1,146,654 |
| 2021 | $18,176,928 | $799,961 | $1,451,464 | $1,091,706 | 71 | $1,323,381 | $682,967 | $1,319,335 |
| 2020 | $18,816,958 | $170,995 | $1,210,131 | $875,500 | 53 | — | $333,901 | $1,088,803 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, R4 Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s website describes its purpose as helping people in need adapt hope into reality. Its stated focus areas include wellness, education, and the arts; its 2024 filing also identifies community charitable purposes.
Its grants support organizations working in a range of areas. For example, Breakthrough T1D describes its mission as accelerating breakthroughs to cure, prevent, and treat type 1 diabetes and its complications. Center for Transforming Lives says it works to move women, children, and families from poverty to independence. Camp Fire First Texas describes providing out-of-school and outdoor learning programs for children and youth, along with workforce development for early childhood educators. Casa Mañana says it creates and advances live professional theatre for the enrichment and education of the community.
Grantmaking
In 2024, R4 Foundation made 67 grants totaling $921,500. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $250,000, with a median grant of $10,000.
The largest 2024 grant listed was $250,000 to Breakthrough T1D. Other notable grants included $50,000 each to Center for Transforming Lives and the University of Georgia Foundation, and $40,000 to Community Foundation of North Texas. The foundation also gave $35,000 to University Christian Church, $25,000 each to North Texas Community Foundation and Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation, and $17,500 to One Safe Place.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Bret Helmer as president/CEO and Lauren Pavell as secretary/treasurer. Directors listed are Walter Reynolds, Claire Reynolds, Donald Reynolds, and Fantasy Reynolds.
R4 Foundation is led by Bret Helmer, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 2 of 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Bret Helmer
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$150K (2020) → $160K (2024)
Claire Reynolds
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Donald Reynolds
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Fantasy Reynolds
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Walter Reynolds
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Pavell
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$13K (2020) → $25K (2024)
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $160K, to Bret Helmer (President/CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about R4 Foundation
How much does R4 Foundation give each year?
R4 Foundation gave $922K across 67 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.0M across 63 grants.
What is R4 Foundation's typical grant size?
R4 Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $13,754, across 67 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from R4 Foundation that year got $39K on average.
Where does R4 Foundation give grants?
R4 Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 61% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (27%) and Georgia (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Fort Worth, TX (51 grants) and Dallas, TX (5 grants).
Does R4 Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 67 grants with a stated purpose on R4 Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are R4 Foundation's largest grantees?
R4 Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Breakthrough T1D ($250,000), Center for Transforming Lives ($50,000) and The University of Georgia Foundation ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 38% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is R4 Foundation?
R4 Foundation reported $16.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does R4 Foundation fund?
The foundation’s website describes its purpose as helping people in need adapt hope into reality. Its stated focus areas include wellness, education, and the arts; its 2024 filing also identifies community charitable purposes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from R4 Foundation?
The foundation’s 2024 filing lists Bret Helmer as the contact and says applicants should submit a written application following the guidelines in the grant application on the foundation’s website. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is R4 Foundation's EIN?
R4 Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-5434359. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 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 June 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 30, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in R4 Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). R4 Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/r4-foundation-morg_4181f9f9eb7d462dbb83c66d615e19ac
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_465434359_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{R4 Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/r4-foundation-morg_4181f9f9eb7d462dbb83c66d615e19ac},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 R4 Foundation'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.
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