The Helen R Buck Foundation
The Helen R Buck Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 1992 and based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations across multiple sectors.
Key facts about The Helen R Buck Foundation
In short: The Helen R Buck Foundation gave $243K across 21 grants in 2025 (avg $12K), top state New Jersey. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 23-7693437
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $242,544
- Grants made (2025)
- 21
- Average grant
- $11,550
- Median grant
- $6,000
- Total assets
- $3,149,255
- Primary geography
- New Jersey (45% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Quick answers about The Helen R Buck Foundation
How much does The Helen R Buck Foundation give each year?
The Helen R Buck Foundation gave $243K across 21 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $239K across 24 grants.
What is The Helen R Buck Foundation's typical grant size?
The Helen R Buck Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $6,000, and its average grant was $11,550, across 21 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Helen R Buck Foundation give grants?
The Helen R Buck Foundation's top state is New Jersey, with 45% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (15%) and Rhode Island (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (4 grants), Charlottesville, VA (2 grants), Newport, RI (2 grants) and Peapack, NJ (2 grants).
Does The Helen R Buck Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 71% of The Helen R Buck Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (15 of 21) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Helen R Buck Foundation's largest grantees?
The Helen R Buck Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Somerset County Park Foundation ($87,544), Triangle Land Conservancy Inc ($20,000) and Johns Hopkins University ($18,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 52% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How The Helen R Buck Foundation gives
- 81% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−3%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 94% 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 (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with The Helen R Buck Foundation
- How to evaluate The Helen R Buck Foundation as a funder
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Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.1M
-2.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$243K
+1.7% YoY
Grant Count
21
-12.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$12K
+16.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Helen R Buck Foundation reported a distributable amount of $259K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Religion-Related causes
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- New Jersey
- District of Columbia
- Rhode Island
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 21 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total assets (2023): $4.7 million
- Total assets (2024): $3,229,759
- EIN: 23-7693437
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,149,255 | $3,229,759 | $3,139,292 |
| Revenue | $191,600 | $350,348 | $179,166 |
| Expenses | $272,241 | $259,552 | $219,678 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $242,544 | $238,500 | $210,412 |
| Net Investment Income | $168,929 | $329,910 | $169,900 |
| Distributable Amount | $258,993 | $240,050 | $214,449 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 24, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
119 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Somerset County Park Foundation North Branch, NJ | FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE | $87,544 |
| Triangle Land Conservancy Inc Durham, NC | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $20,000 |
| Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD | DIVISION OF INFECTIOUS | $18,000 |
| Blithewold Bristol, RI | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $15,000 |
| District Of Columbia Green Spaces Allian Washington, DC | W STREET PARK | $15,000 |
| Botanical Garden of the Piedmont Charlottesville, VA | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $10,000 |
| Dutchess Land Conservancy Inc Millbrook, NY | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $10,000 |
| Sibley Memorial Hospital Foundation Washington, DC | IN HONOR OF DR OSKOUI | $10,000 |
| Cultivate Charlottesville Charlottesville, VA | CITY SCHOOLYARD GARDEN | $10,000 |
| Community Food Bank of New Jersey Hillside, NJ | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $6,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is administered through Glenmede Trust Company, which serves as trustee. Board members include:
- Martha B Bartlett (Trustee)
- Nancy B Pyne (Trustee)
- Leonard J Buck II (Trustee)
The Helen R Buck Foundation's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
The Glenmede Trust Company
Trustee
On filings since 2019
7 hrs/week
$11K (2019) → $0 (2025)
Leonard J. Buck II
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Martha B. Bartlett
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Nancy B. Pyne (2019–2024) — Trustee
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 2023 IRS filing
Contact Information
- Address: Glenmede Trust Company, 1650 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
- Telephone: 215-419-6000
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Helen R Buck Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary funding focus areas include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Religion-Related causes
How do I apply for a grant from The Helen R Buck Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** • Typical award range: $2,000–$90,000 • Median grant amount: $5,000 • Maximum grant observed: $61,000 **Recent Activity:** • Total giving (2024): $238,500 • Total giving (2023): $210,000 • Number of grants (2023): 25 grants
How much is The Helen R Buck Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, The Helen R Buck Foundation reported a distributable amount of $259K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Helen R Buck Foundation's EIN?
The Helen R Buck Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7693437. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.