The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation
The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation is a private foundation based in Los Angeles, California. In 2025, it reported 37 grants totaling $345,475 to charitable organizations, including organizations working in emergency services, animal rescue, health care, disability services, housing, and the arts.
Key facts about The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation
In short: The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation gave $345K across 37 grants in 2025 (avg $9K), mostly in California. 50% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 46-3666966
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $345,475
- Grants made (2025)
- 37
- Average grant
- $9,337
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 50% first-time grantees (18 of 36, 2025)
- Total assets
- $11,541,837
- Primary geography
- California (53% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$11.5M
-2.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$345K
+40.8% YoY
Grant Count
37
+19.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$9K
+17.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation reported a distributable amount of $748K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation open to new grantees?
50%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 18 of 36 grantees (50%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $13K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $8K repeat.
- 44% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 52% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 88% 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 (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants show support for a range of charitable organizations. For example, Happy Cats Haven describes its work as rescuing Colorado cats and kittens and finding them homes; Safe Haven Medical Outreach Program says it provides children and families with health and rehabilitation services; and Youth Documentary Academy says it prepares underrepresented storytellers through documentary film. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own work.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 37 grants totaling $345,475. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $46,600, with a median of $5,000. Among the largest grants were $46,600 to Point Roberts Volunteer Firefighters Charitable Society for emergency-services support, supplies, equipment, and training; $44,200 to Shadow Hills Riding Club for a therapeutic riding program; $30,000 to Happy Cats Haven; $27,000 to Rise Up Schools; and $25,000 to Mending Kids.
Other notable 2025 grants included $21,500 to Safe Haven Medical Outreach Program, $13,500 to Lupita Project, and $12,500 to Bridge to Home. Additional recipients included the Academy Foundation, Children’s Hospital of LA (CATCH), and Robin’s Nest Rescue, each receiving $10,000.
How to Apply
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Ready to take the next step with The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, grant dollars went primarily to recipients in California (53%), Colorado (20%), and Washington (16%). Smaller shares went to Arizona (5%) and Utah (3%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 37 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $100K (2020) to $392K (2021). In 2025 it made 37 grants totaling $345K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Point Roberts Volunteer Firefighters Charitable Society ($47K). Together the top 10 received $240K.
Grant Size Distribution
150 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 148 grants of 150 (99%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Point Roberts Volunteer Firefighters Charitable Society Pt Roberts, WA | Providing support, supplies, equiopment and training for emergency services to the community. | $46,600 |
| Shadow Hills Riding Club Shawdow Hills, CA | To create a therapueutic riding program in which horses are used as a tool for physical therapy, emtional growth, and learning for individuals with mental and/or emotional disabilities, and to carry on other charitable activities assiciated with this purpose as allowed by law. | $44,200 |
| Happy Cats Haven Manitou Springs, CO | Rescues homeless cats and kittens in Colorado and find them loving, "forever" homes. Also addresses cat overpopulation through spay/neuter and community outreach programs | $30,000 |
| Rise up Schools Denver, CO | Serves children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They aim to promote dignity in all relationships while helping people with disabilities become as productive and independent as possible. | $27,000 |
| Mending Kids Los Angeles, CA | Provides Life-Changing Surgical Care to Children Worldwide | $25,000 |
| Safe Haven Medical Outreach Program Inc San Marino, CA | To provide therapeutic and medical treatment for children in cambodia with disabilities & medical issues. To educate families and other village members regarding the care of these children. | $21,500 |
| Lupita Project Sherman Oaks, CA | To provide improved quality live from phyiscal and disable living in hautulco and coast of oaxaca, mex | $13,500 |
| Bridge to Home Newhall, CA | Helps People Move from Homelessness to Housing. | $12,500 |
| Academy Foundation (Academy Museum of Motion Pictures) Beverly Hills, CA | Research in history, arts and techniques of the motion picture industry | $10,000 |
| Children's Hospital of La (Catch) Los Angeles, CA | Promotion and advancement of children's health through patient care, research, and education. | $10,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Grant total | Number of grants |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $345,475 | 37 |
| 2024 | $245,450 | 31 |
| 2023 | $357,579 | 25 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $11,541,837 | $11,812,218 | $11,964,129 |
| Revenue | $1,259,979 | $1,254,903 | $918,697 |
| Expenses | $1,526,059 | $1,417,231 | $1,483,374 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $661,925 | $576,312 | $653,706 |
| Net Investment Income | $464,242 | $486,351 | $188,677 |
| Distributable Amount | $748,348 | $649,921 | $624,526 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 1, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 11, 2026)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS September 2, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 1, 2024)
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Andrea Anderson as President/CEO, Melissa Anderson as CFO, and Vikki Holmes as Secretary.
The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation is led by Andrea M. Anderson, President & CEO on every filing since 2019; 1 of 3 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Andrea M. Anderson
President & CEO
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$32K (2019) → $168K (2025)
Melissa Anderson
CFO
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vikki Holmes
Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Emily Morrow (2024) — Secretary & CFO
- Former: Dave A. Stemler (2019–2023) — Secretary & CFO
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $168K, to Andrea Anderson (President/CEO).
Contact
Mailing address: 1155 N La Cienega Blvd 609, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Phone: (310) 854-3309
Frequently asked questions about The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation
How much does The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation give each year?
The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation gave $345K across 37 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $245K across 31 grants.
What is The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation's typical grant size?
The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $9,337, across 37 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation that year got $6K on average.
Where does The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation give grants?
The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation gives mostly in California: 53% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Colorado (20%) and Washington (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (3 grants), Colorado Springs, CO (3 grants), Pt Roberts, WA (2 grants) and Shawdow Hills, CA (2 grants).
Does The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 37 grants with a stated purpose on The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation's largest grantees?
The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Point Roberts Volunteer Firefighters Charitable Society ($46,600), Shadow Hills Riding Club ($44,200) and Happy Cats Haven ($30,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 35% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation?
The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation reported $11.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $662K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $748K (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 The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants show support for a range of charitable organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation?
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 The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation's EIN?
The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-3666966. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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