The Helen C Cobbs Foundation
The Helen C Cobbs Foundation is a private foundation based in Roanoke, Virginia. In its 2025 filing, it reported $251,000 in grants to 15 organizations; its stated restrictions cover charitable organizations assisting underprivileged, elderly, or mentally disabled people in Roanoke or within 30 miles of the city boundary.
The Helen C Cobbs Foundation at a glance
In short: The Helen C Cobbs Foundation gave $251K across 15 grants in 2025 (avg $17K), mostly in Virginia. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $251,000
- +7.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 15
- +7.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $16,733
- +0.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $12,550
- Total assets
- $4,311,710
- -4.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 15, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Virginia (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Helen C Cobbs Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Applications should be submitted in letter format and include a description of the program, the organization’s IRS determination letter, its current board list, and its most recent Form 990 and audit, if available. The filing restricts awards to charitable organizations assisting underprivileged, elderly, or mentally disabled individuals living in Roanoke or within 30 miles of the city boundary.
- Contact
Application contact: Olin R Melchionna Jr Helen C Cobbs
Mailing address: 310 1St Street Sw 1100, Roanoke, VA 24011
Phone: (540) 525-0319
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Helen C Cobbs Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Presbyterian Community Center Inc ($44K). Together the top 10 received $207K.
Grant Size Distribution
74 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 74 grants of 74 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars in 2025 went to recipients in Virginia. The foundation’s filing states that it assists eligible charitable organizations serving people who live in Roanoke or within a 30-mile radius of the city boundary.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Helen C Cobbs Foundation open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 15 grantees (0%) 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. How we count
- 93% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+2%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 99% 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 (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $190K (2021) to $251K (2025). In 2025 it made 15 grants totaling $251K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Presbyterian Community Center Inc Roanoke, VA | Donation for rent, electric bills, & food for needy | $43,925 |
| Roanoke College Salem, VA | Donation for General Support & Cobbs Scholars | $37,650 |
| Child Health Investment Partnership (Chip) Roanoke, VA | Donation for General Support | $18,825 |
| Family Service of Roanoke Valley Roanoke, VA | Donation for General Support | $18,825 |
| Rescue Mission of Roanoke Inc Roanoke, VA | Donation for Battered Women's Program | $18,825 |
| Roanoke Area Ministries (Ram House) Roanoke, VA | Donation for rent, electric bills, & food for needy | $18,825 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Roanoke Valley Inc Roanoke, VA | Donation for General Support | $12,550 |
| Family Promise of Greater Roanoke Salem, VA | Donation for General Support | $12,550 |
| Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council Inc Roanoke, VA | Donation for General Support | $12,550 |
| Hollins University Corporation Roanoke, VA | Donation for General Support | $12,550 |
Ready to take the next step with The Helen C Cobbs 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,311,710 | $174,041 | $322,678 | $251,000 | 15 | $307,916 | $165,558 | $311,478 |
| 2024 | $4,499,773 | $175,218 | $303,355 | $234,100 | 14 | $288,387 | $162,814 | $296,230 |
| 2023 | $4,678,577 | $260,374 | $322,068 | $214,000 | 13 | $264,855 | $204,581 | $274,911 |
| 2022 | $4,740,271 | $285,769 | $358,981 | $246,999 | 13 | $295,567 | $224,711 | $284,341 |
| 2021 | $4,813,483 | $278,496 | $297,614 | $190,000 | 19 | $239,460 | $219,693 | $299,134 |
| 2020 | $4,832,601 | $99,624 | $303,525 | $200,000 | 18 | — | $121,492 | $268,038 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Helen C Cobbs Foundation reported a distributable amount of $311K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s filing does not state a mission. Its grant purposes include general support, help with rent, electricity and food for people in need, and support for a battered women’s program. Among its grantees, the Presbyterian Community Center describes its work as an inner-city ministry meeting families’ and individuals’ food, shelter, and health needs. Family Promise of Greater Roanoke says it empowers homeless families with children to achieve sustainable independence, while West End Center says it provides children a safe place after school and during the summer. Other supported organizations describe work in education, emotional wellness, and community services.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave $251,000 through 15 grants. Grants ranged from $3,138 to $43,925, with a median of $12,550. Notable awards included $43,925 to Presbyterian Community Center for rent, electric bills, and food for people in need; $37,650 to Roanoke College for general support and Cobbs Scholars; and $18,825 each to Child Health Investment Partnership, Family Service of Roanoke Valley, Rescue Mission of Roanoke, and Roanoke Area Ministries. The latter awards supported general operations, a battered women’s program, or assistance with rent, electricity, and food, as stated in the filing.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Olin R. Melchionna Jr. and Elizabeth M. Melchionna as trustees.
The Helen C Cobbs Foundation's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; all 2 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Elizabeth M. Melchionna Co Spilman
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2.5 hrs/week
$8K (2020) → $9K (2025)
Olin R. Melchionna Jr Co Spilman
Trustee
On filings since 2020
7.5 hrs/week
$24K (2020) → $28K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $28K, to Olin R Melchionna Jr Co Spilman (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Helen C Cobbs Foundation
How much does The Helen C Cobbs Foundation give each year?
The Helen C Cobbs Foundation gave $251K across 15 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $234K across 14 grants.
What is The Helen C Cobbs Foundation's typical grant size?
The Helen C Cobbs Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $12,550, and its average grant was $16,733, across 15 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Helen C Cobbs Foundation give grants?
The Helen C Cobbs Foundation gives mostly in Virginia: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Roanoke, VA (10 grants) and Salem, VA (5 grants).
Does The Helen C Cobbs Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 67% of The Helen C Cobbs Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (10 of 15) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Helen C Cobbs Foundation's largest grantees?
The Helen C Cobbs Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Presbyterian Community Center Inc ($43,925), Roanoke College ($37,650) and Child Health Investment Partnership (Chip) ($18,825), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 40% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Helen C Cobbs Foundation?
The Helen C Cobbs Foundation reported $4.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $308K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $311K (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 C Cobbs Foundation fund?
The foundation’s filing does not state a mission. Its grant purposes include general support, help with rent, electricity and food for people in need, and support for a battered women’s program. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Helen C Cobbs Foundation?
The foundation’s filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Helen C Cobbs Foundation's EIN?
The Helen C Cobbs Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-6251236. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Helen C Cobbs Foundation funds
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Helen C Cobbs Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Helen C Cobbs Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-helen-c-cobbs-foundation-morg_c34ebcb1aad94f22a25be0b062bddcd5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_276251236_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Helen C Cobbs Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-helen-c-cobbs-foundation-morg_c34ebcb1aad94f22a25be0b062bddcd5},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 The Helen C Cobbs 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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