The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc
The Helen J. Serini Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Reisterstown, Maryland. Founded in 2012 by Paul and Susan Serini in memory of Paul's late mother, Helen J. Serini, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with tax-exempt status since April 2015.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$247K
-10.3% YoY
Grant Count
21
-8.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$12K
-1.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The foundation envisions thriving communities where all people live healthy, dignified lives regardless of means or identity. The Helen J. Serini Foundation supports innovative interventions that remove or address the root causes of systemic barriers to health, safety, shelter, and opportunity in the communities where it works and lives.
Primary Funding Areas:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Youth development and education (including STEM and social-emotional learning)
- Community and civic engagement
- Food security
- Housing and shelter
Grantmaking
The foundation is open to applications and does not restrict grantmaking to preselected organizations only.
Grant Range
s and Ranges:**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Maryland, with particular emphasis on communities where the foundation works and lives.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets and Giving (2024):
- Total assets: $2,182,803
- Total giving: $246,823
- Total revenue: $796,310
- Total expenses: $712,518
Assets and Giving (2023):
- Total assets: $2,750,000
- Total revenue: $396,000
- Total expenses: $646,000
- Total giving: $275,240
Giving Rate: Approximately 10% of assets annually
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
160 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Community Wealth Builders Fiscally Sponsored by Maryland Philanthropy Netwo ($20,000), Homeless Persons Representation Project ($20,000), Maryland Hunger Solutions an Initiative of the Food Research Action Center ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| THE LIGHT HOUSE ANNAPOLIS, MD | PROGRAM-SPECIFIC SUPPORT FOR CLIENT HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS, INCLUDING MEALS, GIFTS, ETC. | $1,000 |
| FEDERATED CHARITIES FREDERICK, MD | LOAN OBLIGATION WAIVED O/B/O FEDERATED CHARITIES (JUNE-DEC) | $1,773 |
| BELIEVE BIG HUNT VALLEY, MD | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT TO HELP BELIEVE BIG'S WORK BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN CONVENTIONAL AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE FOR FIGHTING CANCER. | $2,500 |
| MARYLAND PHILANTHROPY NETWORK BALTIMORE, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR MARYLAND PHILANTHROPY NETWORK'S WORK TO CONVENE PHILANTHROPIES ACROSS THE STATE TO ADVANCE AND SUPPORT THE SOCIAL SECTOR.(CASH VALUE IS THE ANNUAL 2024/2025 DUES PAYMENT LESS VALUE OF SERVICES RECEIVED.) | $7,050 |
| ROB'S BARBERSHOP COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ODENTON, MD | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR NO-CHARGE GROOMING SERVICES AND SUPPLIES FOR CLIENTS OF THE T.I.M.E. ORGANIZATION. | $7,500 |
| 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 |
| LITERACY COUNCIL OF FREDERICK COUNTY FREDERICK, MD | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR THE LITERACY COUNCIL'S STAFF TEAM WHICH COORDINATES PROGRAMS (COMMUNITY CLASSES, TUTORING, PARENT LITERACY (IN 4 FCPS TITLE I ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS) AND WORKPLACE LITERACY ENGLISH CLASSES FOR LOW-WAGE EMPLOYEES, AND OUR 125+ VOLUNTEERS. SECOND OF THREE INSTALLMENTS | $10,000 |
| CASH CAMPAIGN OF MARYLAND INC BALTIMORE, MD | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT TO INCREASE THE FINANCIAL CAPABILITY OF LOW-TOMODERATE INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THROUGH DIRECT SERVICES, PRACTITIONER TRAINING, AND ADVOCACY. LAST OF THREE INSTALLMENTS. | $10,000 |
| ADOPTION EXCHANGE ASSOCIATION LINTHICUM, MD | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR NAA'S WORK SUPPORTING AND ADVANCING BEST PRACTICES IN ADOPTION FROM FOSTER CARE. | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board and Staff:
- Paul A. Serini - Director/President (5 hours/week, $60,000 compensation)
- Kerry A. McHugh - Director (18 hours/week, $77,000 compensation)
- Susan M. Serini - Director (1.5 hours/week, no compensation)
- J. James Serini - Director (1.5 hours/week, no compensation)
- P. Alex Serini - Director (1.5 hours/week, no compensation)
- Robert Geis - Director (1.5 hours/week, no compensation)
- Kevin McHugh - Director (1.5 hours/week, no compensation)
The foundation operates with limited paid staffing, with two employees reported in recent filings.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAUL A SERINI | DIRECTOR/PRESIDENT | 5 | $60,000 |
| SUSAN M SERINI | DIRECTOR | 1.5 | — |
| KERRY A MCHUGH | DIRECTOR | 18 | $77,253 |
| J JAMES SERINI | DIRECTOR | 1.5 | — |
| P ALEX SERINI | DIRECTOR | 1.5 | — |
| ROBERT GEIS | DIRECTOR | 1.5 | — |
| KEVIN MCHUGH | DIRECTOR | 1.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation maintains an active presence in the nonprofit sector through multiple engagement strategies:
**Convenings & Nonprofit Education:**
Participation in The Frederick Nonprofit Summit
Frederick County Priority Planning for Nonprofits
Leadership Frederick County presentations
Think Big participation with Maryland Nonprofit organizations
**Funder Network Participation:**
Leadership roles in Exponent Philanthropy
Group leadership with Maryland Philanthropy Network
Participation in Frederick Funders Group and annual data projects
Presentations and panels with Peak Grantmaking, United Philanthropy Forum, and National Center for Family Philanthropy
**Grantee Capacity Support:**
Direct capacity building for grantee organizations
Website assistance and marketing support
Networking and introductions across grantees
Local training event information sharing
Participation in community initiatives such as Banner Neighborhood's annual coat distribution
**2025 Funding Strategies:**
The foundation has committed to updating its funding strategies in response to sector uncertainties, maintaining support for long-time partners, and continued learning as the nonprofit sector faces ongoing challenges.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc fund?
**Mission Statement:** The foundation envisions thriving communities where all people live healthy, dignified lives regardless of means or identity. The Helen J. Serini Foundation supports innovative interventions that remove or address the root causes of systemic barriers to health, safety, shelter, and opportunity in the communities where it works and lives. **Primary Funding Areas:** • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Youth development and education (inc…
How do I apply for a grant from The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc?
**Grant Sizes and Ranges:** • Typical awards: $1,000–$30,000 • Median grant amount: $10,000 • Grant range: $1,000–$23,000 **Grant Programs:** *Major Grants Program* - General operating support, capacity building support, and/or program-specific support for nonprofits whose work advances the foundation's mission. Awards of $5,000 or more. *Leadership Development Grants* - A small grants program designed to invest in the human capital and professional leadership of community nonprofits. **Recent …
Where does The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Maryland, with particular emphasis on communities where the foundation works and lives.
What size grants does The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc awarded 21 grants totaling $247K — an average of about $12K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Helen J Serini Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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