Robert Helmand Foundation
The Robert Helmand Foundation is a private foundation based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including groups providing food and financial assistance, hospice care, disability programs, and wildlife conservation.
Robert Helmand Foundation at a glance
In short: Robert Helmand Foundation gave $38K across 15 grants in 2024 (avg $3K), mostly in Arizona. 53% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $38,075
- +118.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 15
- +66.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $2,538
- +31.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $1,276,845
- +64.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 53% first-time grantees (8 of 15, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Arizona (83% 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 Robert Helmand Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 15125 N Scottsdale Road Apt 810, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Phone: (480) 656-3888
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Robert Helmand Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship ($7K). Together the top 10 received $35K.
Grant Size Distribution
42 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 42 grants of 42 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 83% of grant dollars went to recipients in Arizona. The remaining reported shares went to Idaho (5%), Arkansas (5%), New York (5%), and Connecticut (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Robert Helmand Foundation open to new grantees?
53%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 15 grantees (53%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $1K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 47% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 188% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 93% 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 $10K (2020) to $38K (2024). In 2024 it made 15 grants totaling $38K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship Scottsdale, AZ | Riding program for the disabled. | $6,575 |
| St Marys Food Bank Phoenix, AZ | Food assistance to needy | $5,000 |
| Society of St Vincent de Paul Phoenix, AZ | Financial assistance for the poor. | $5,000 |
| Hospice of the Valley Phoenix, AZ | Enhance quality of life with special programs | $5,000 |
| Family Promise Scottsdale, AZ | Financial assistance for the poor. | $3,000 |
| Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center Scottsdale, AZ | Wildlife conservation | $2,000 |
| Wild at Heart Cave Creek, AZ | for wildlife conservation | $2,000 |
| Cascade Aquatic & Recreation Center Cascade, ID | To provide comprehensive and effective academic, health, wellness, and character education programming to students. | $2,000 |
| Heifer International Little Rock, AR | Help for families working to escape hunger and poverty. | $2,000 |
| Puppies behind the Bars New York, NY | Trains incarcerated individuals to raise service dogs for wounded war veterans and first responders | $2,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Robert Helmand 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 | $1,276,845 | $535,306 | $44,287 | $38,075 | 15 | $38,075 | $35,306 | $40,841 |
| 2023 | $777,997 | $500,000 | $20,562 | $17,425 | 9 | $17,425 | $7,828 | $16,997 |
| 2022 | $298,559 | $100,000 | $25,644 | $16,134 | 8 | $16,134 | — | $10,743 |
| 2021 | $224,203 | $100,000 | $16,297 | $13,200 | 5 | $13,200 | — | $6,944 |
| 2020 | $140,500 | $100,000 | $9,500 | $9,500 | 5 | — | — | $2,589 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert Helmand Foundation reported a distributable amount of $41K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations working in areas such as basic needs, health and hospice care, disability services, education, and wildlife conservation. For example, Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship says its mission is to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities through horsemanship and outdoor education; Hospice of the Valley describes its mission as bringing comfort, dignity, and compassionate care to the community. Wild at Heart says it rescues and cares for raptors and provides education and community outreach.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 15 grants totaling $38,075. Grants ranged from $500 to $6,575, with a median grant of $2,000.
Among its 2024 grants, the foundation awarded $6,575 to Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship; $5,000 each to St Marys Food Bank, Society of St Vincent de Paul, and Hospice of the Valley; and $3,000 to Family Promise. Other reported grants included $2,000 each to Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center, Wild at Heart, Cascade Aquatic & Recreation Center, Heifer International, and Puppies behind the Bars.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Robert Helmand as President & Tre and Janene Nielson as Director/Secret.
Robert Helmand Foundation is led by Robert Helmand, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Robert Helmand
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Janene Nielson
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
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 Robert Helmand Foundation
How much does Robert Helmand Foundation give each year?
Robert Helmand Foundation gave $38K across 15 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $17K across 9 grants.
What is Robert Helmand Foundation's typical grant size?
Robert Helmand Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,000, and its average grant was $2,538, across 15 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Robert Helmand Foundation that year got $1K on average.
Where does Robert Helmand Foundation give grants?
Robert Helmand Foundation gives mostly in Arizona: 83% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Idaho (5%) and Arkansas (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Scottsdale, AZ (6 grants) and Phoenix, AZ (4 grants).
Does Robert Helmand Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 15 grants with a stated purpose on Robert Helmand Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Robert Helmand Foundation's largest grantees?
Robert Helmand Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship ($6,575), St Marys Food Bank ($5,000) and Society of St Vincent de Paul ($5,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 44% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Robert Helmand Foundation?
Robert Helmand Foundation reported $1.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $38K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $41K (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 Robert Helmand Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations working in areas such as basic needs, health and hospice care, disability services, education, and wildlife conservation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Robert Helmand Foundation?
The foundation states that it 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 Robert Helmand Foundation's EIN?
Robert Helmand Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-4553199. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Robert Helmand Foundation 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Robert Helmand Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Robert Helmand Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Arizona Community Foundation
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona Community Foundation funds nonprofits, schools, tribal entities, government agencies, and most religious organizations in areas including arts and culture, community development, the environment, health, and education. Its 2025 grants had a median of $17,760; most funding goes to Arizona, though it also awards grants nationally. Competitive grants require an online application during an open cycle; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
1,174
Total Given
$92.9M
Thunderbirds Charities
Phoenix, AZ
Thunderbirds Charities funds Arizona nonprofits serving Maricopa and Pinal Counties, supporting children and families, education, community quality of life, people with physical or mental challenges, and efforts addressing domestic violence, homelessness, and poverty. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,321 to $1 million, with a median award of $34,055. It accepts applications through its website.
Assets
$11.3M
Grants
150
Total Given
$11.0M
Virginia G Piper Charitable Trust
Phoenix, AZ
Virginia G Piper Charitable Trust funds nonprofits and community partners serving Maricopa County, Arizona, in arts and culture, children, education, healthcare, older adults, religion, and nonprofit capacity. In 2025, grants ranged from $25 to $1 million, with a median of $7,500. It uses a competitive application process that begins with a Letter of Inquiry; unsolicited requests are not explicitly addressed.
Assets
$429.9M
Grants
483
Total Given
$24.5M
McDowell Mountain Music Festival Inc
Phoenix, AZ
McDowell Mountain Music Festival funds program support for public charities, including arts, education, health, housing, and youth programs. In 2023, it made 21 grants of $10,000–$100,000, with a median of $15,000; most funding went to Arizona, with some grants in New York and Maine. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.4M
Grants
21
Total Given
$600K
Harrington Family Foundation
Scottsdale, AZ
Assets
—
Grants
6
Total Given
$44K
Greater Horizons
Kansas City, MO
Greater Horizons distributes donor-advised fund grants to eligible U.S. charities and institutions across a wide range of causes; international organizations may also be supported after additional due diligence. In 2024, its grants had a median of $15,000, though amounts varied widely. Grants are requested by fund holders, and no general application process for organizations seeking funding is described.
Assets
$2.8B
Grants
3,282
Total Given
$212.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in Arizona
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Robert Helmand Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/robert-helmand-foundation-morg_48042b5e041b4e2c87b7135986c62f81
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_834553199_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Robert Helmand Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/robert-helmand-foundation-morg_48042b5e041b4e2c87b7135986c62f81},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 Robert Helmand 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.
Robert Helmand Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?