The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc
The Helen J. Serini Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Reisterstown, Maryland. It supports charitable organizations working to address root causes of systemic barriers to health, safety, shelter, and opportunity, with a focus on breaking cycles of poverty in the communities where it works and lives.
The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc gave $247K across 21 grants in 2024 (avg $12K), mostly in Maryland. 38% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $246,823
- -10.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 21
- -8.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $11,753
- -1.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $2,182,803
- -20.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 38% first-time grantees (8 of 21, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Maryland (100% 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 The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests from organizations serving its stated geographic focus areas, though its website says the Major Grants Program is not open to new requests in 2026 or 2027 and advises…
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests from organizations serving its stated geographic focus areas, though its website says the Major Grants Program is not open to new requests in 2026 or 2027 and advises checking again in Spring 2028 for updates. Applications must be submitted online; the foundation says it does not accept applications by mail, email, or other formats. Applicants are required to review the grant guidelines, grant types, and application processes before applying. Eligibility requirements include serving or being based in a stated focus area, providing evidence of 501(c)(3) tax exemption, maintaining up-to-date contact details, and adhering to the foundation’s mission. The foundation excludes grants to individuals, political action committees or lobbying efforts, 509(a)(3) organizations, certain religious institutions or programs, and organizations that engage in prohibited discriminatory practices. It also does not fund reimbursement for prior expenses.
- Review Cycle
- The foundation says it accepts grant requests once a year and directs applicants to its website for timing. Its Major Grants Program is not open to new requests in 2026 or 2027.
- Deadline
- The foundation says it accepts grant requests once a year and directs applicants to its website for timing.
- Contact
Application contact: Wwwhjsfoundationorgapply
Mailing address: 11620 Reisterstown Road 1000, Reisterstown, MD 21136
Phone: (410) 630-9061
Website: https://www.hjsfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc
Who The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Community Wealth Builders Fiscally Sponsored by Maryland Philanthropy Netwo ($20K). Together the top 10 received $167K.
Grant Size Distribution
160 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 159 grants of 160 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s guidelines identify Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Frederick County, Maryland, as geographic areas of focus, with some statewide work considered. Its mission and grant-history pages also name the British Virgin Islands as an occasional area of focus. All reported 2024 grant dollars went to Maryland recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 21 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
38%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 21 grantees (38%) were first-time recipients. With only 21 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $15K; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $18K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 48% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 24% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 296% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $247K (2024) to $353K (2022). In 2024 it made 21 grants totaling $247K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Wealth Builders Fiscally Sponsored by Maryland Philanthropy Netwo Baltimore, MD | General operating support to continue and grow community wealth builders' core programs, which tap community wealth building (CWB) strategies/models to foster more equitable, sustainable, and resilient neighborhood-based economies. | $20,000 |
| Homeless Persons Representation Project Baltimore, MD | General operating support for hprp's work to meet individual legal needs and systemic issues through direct representation, advocacy, and outreach for individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. | $20,000 |
| Maryland Hunger Solutions an Initiative of the Food Research Action Center Baltimore, MD | General operating support for Maryland hunger solutions' work in anti-hunger advocacy, working to create hunger-free communities and improve nurtition, health, and economic security across Maryland. Last of three installments. | $20,000 |
| Beyond Shelter Frederick Frederick, MD | General operating support for capacity building activities following beyond shelter's rebranding efforts. | $20,000 |
| The Frederick Center Frederick, MD | General operating support to uplift the lgbtq+ community and allies in Frederick county. | $20,000 |
| Maryland Center on Economic Policy Baltimore, MD | General operating support for mdcep's work advancing innovative policy ideas to foster broad prosperity and help our state be the standard-bearer forresponsible public policy through research, analysis, strategic communications, public education, and grassroots alliances. | $20,000 |
| Paths Together (Formerly Adoptions Together) Calverton, MD | General operating support to maintain and grow infant adoption placement counseling and support services, foster care adoption placement & family training services, counseling for children and families, and training for child welfare professionals. Final of three installments. | $15,000 |
| Baltimore Community Toolbank Baltimore, MD | Renewed general operating support for the toolbank's work to enhance access to resources for organizations and communities in the greaterbaltimore area via tools, equipment and expertise. Last of three installments in a $45,000 total grant award. | $12,000 |
| Impact Hub Baltimore Fiscally Sponsored by Maryland Philanthropy Network Baltimore, MD | Renewed general operating support funding to support impact hub baltimore's work with entrepreneurs, systems change, and the social sector in baltimore | $10,000 |
| Banner Neighborhoods Community Baltimore, MD | General operating support for banner neighborhoods' work to promote resident-based leadership, neighborhood pride and stability, and provide direct services that contribute to the overall stability of parts of east and southeast baltimore via community engagement, home maintenance & housing updates for seniors, and youth programming. Second of two installments. | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2024 filing reports 21 grants; the 2023 filing reports 23, and the 2022 filing reports 37.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,182,803 | $796,310 | $712,518 | $246,823 | 21 | $513,948 | $76,855 | $173,455 |
| 2023 | $2,748,366 | $395,567 | $646,340 | $275,240 | 23 | $459,058 | $401,037 | $4,686 |
| 2022 | $2,998,812 | $463,406 | $1,178,485 | $352,590 | 37 | $525,093 | $450,372 | $174,656 |
| 2021 | $3,419,417 | $522,196 | $753,652 | $326,638 | 36 | $519,454 | $353,411 | $184,599 |
| 2020 | $3,677,456 | $249,366 | $802,462 | $317,500 | 43 | — | $28,790 | $207,143 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $173K 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 mission is to support innovative interventions that address the root causes of systemic barriers to health, safety, shelter, and opportunity. It seeks to rectify economic and social inequalities through financial support and, where appropriate and requested, advice, time, and other resources. Its website says it values creative thinking, collaboration, partnership, and constituent-driven, community-led models.
Its stated geographic focus includes Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Frederick County, and, occasionally, the British Virgin Islands. The foundation describes its grantmaking as spanning issue areas, with systems change as a common thread.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of its grants. The Maryland Center on Economic Policy describes its mission as advancing policy ideas to foster broad prosperity and responsible public policy. The Homeless Persons Representation Project says it works to end homelessness in Maryland through free legal services and advocacy. The Frederick Center says it supports and advocates for LGBTQ+ people and their families. Beyond Shelter Frederick says it seeks to prevent and alleviate poverty’s effects on Frederick County residents.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 21 grants totaling $246,823. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $20,000, with a median of $10,000. All reported 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Maryland. The foundation’s website describes three types of major grants: general operating support, capacity-building support, and project- or program-specific grants. It also offers leadership development grants for nonprofit staff and volunteers.
Among its 2024 grants, six organizations received $20,000 each: Community Wealth Builders, Homeless Persons Representation Project, Maryland Hunger Solutions, Beyond Shelter Frederick, The Frederick Center, and the Maryland Center on Economic Policy. Other reported grants included $15,000 to Paths Together, $12,000 to Baltimore Community ToolBank, and $10,000 each to Impact Hub Baltimore, Banner Neighborhoods Community, the Literacy Council of Frederick County, and CASH Campaign of Maryland.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Paul A. Serini as director and president. It lists Susan M. Serini, Kerry A. McHugh, J. James Serini, P. Alex Serini, Robert Geis, and Kevin McHugh as directors.
The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc is led by Paul A. Serini, Director & President on every filing since 2020; 2 of 7 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Paul A. Serini
Director & President
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $60K (2024)
J. James Serini
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Kerry A. McHugh
Director
On filings since 2020
18 hrs/week
$91K (2020) → $77K (2024)
Kevin McHugh
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $0 (2024)
P. Alex Serini
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Robert Geis
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
$1K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Susan M. Serini
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $0 (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 $77K, to Kerry a McHugh (Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc
How much does The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc give each year?
The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc gave $247K across 21 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $275K across 23 grants.
What is The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $11,753, across 21 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc that year got $15K on average.
Where does The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc give grants?
The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc gives mostly in Maryland: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Baltimore, MD (12 grants) and Frederick, MD (4 grants).
Does The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 90% of The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (19 of 21) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Community Wealth Builders Fiscally Sponsored by Maryland Philanthropy Netwo ($20,000), Homeless Persons Representation Project ($20,000) and Maryland Hunger Solutions an Initiative of the Food Research Action Center ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc?
The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc reported $2.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $514K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $173K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to support innovative interventions that address the root causes of systemic barriers to health, safety, shelter, and opportunity. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests from organizations serving its stated geographic focus areas, though its website says the Major Grants Program is not open to new requests in 2026 or 2027 and advises… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-1353961. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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 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 November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 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
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-helen-j-serini-foundation-inc-morg_8b716ad0eed74f83a861ee3a641888ff
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_461353961_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-helen-j-serini-foundation-inc-morg_8b716ad0eed74f83a861ee3a641888ff},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 J Serini Foundation Inc'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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