The Helis Foundation
The Helis Foundation is a Louisiana private foundation established and funded by the William Helis Family in 1955 and based in New Orleans. Its general fund supports community needs primarily in Metropolitan New Orleans, while its Diana Helis Henry and Adrienne Helis Malvin Art Funds advance access to art through support for regional institutions, free admission, art acquisitions, exhibitions, and special projects.
The Helis Foundation at a glance
In short: The Helis Foundation gave $2.4M across 62 grants in 2024 (avg $39K), mostly in Louisiana. 21% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,394,486
- -1.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 62
- +1.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $38,621
- -3.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $16,750
- Total assets
- $82,984,093
- +0.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (13 of 62, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Louisiana (92% 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 Helis Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. It asks applicants to submit an appropriately typed letter with brochures or other pertinent information and to establish their qualifications to receive funds from a private foundation under the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations. The filing states that awards have no restrictions or limitations other than the organization’s required qualification under those rules.
- Review Cycle
- There are no submission deadlines.
- Deadline
- There are no submission deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: David A Kerstein President
Mailing address: 201 St Charles Ave Suite 2600, New Orleans, LA 70170
Phone: (504) 523-1831
Website: https://thehelisfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Helis Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Ogden Museum of Southern Art ($554K). Together the top 10 received $1.5M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($11,800), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
292 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 219 grants of 292 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website says the general fund focuses primarily on community needs in Metropolitan New Orleans, and the Art Funds support institutions in the New Orleans Metropolitan area. In 2024, 92% of grant dollars went to recipients in Louisiana and 8% to recipients in New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 62 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Helis Foundation open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 13 of 62 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $18K; repeat grants $44K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 74% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−15%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 79% 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 (2020–2024). 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 $2.4M (2024) to $2.8M (2021). In 2024 it made 62 grants totaling $2.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Ogden Museum of Southern Art New Orleans, LA | Support of General Operating Expenses, Support of the Poydras Corridor Sculpture Exhibitions and Other Exhibitions, and LA Residents Free Admission Days | $554,486 |
| New Orleans Museum of Art New Orleans, LA | General, Operating Expenses, Free Admission for Art & A/C, Free Admission for LA Residents | $254,000 |
| US Biennial Inc New York, NY | Support of General Operations | $150,000 |
| United Way of Southeast Louisiana New Orleans, LA | Blueprint for Prosperity | $125,000 |
| Arts Council of New Orleans New Orleans, LA | Building Wall Mural - Unframed | $110,000 |
| New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Foundation New Orleans, LA | Digital Systems Lead Position, Hospitality Lounge, Curitorial Work | $109,500 |
| Louisiana Children's Museum New Orleans, LA | Operating Expenses, Free Saturdays in October, and Art of All | $60,000 |
| Friends of WWOZ Inc New Orleans, LA | Jazz Festing in Place - WWOZ-FM | $55,000 |
| Preservation Resource Center New Orleans, LA | General Operating Expense | $53,500 |
| Second Harvester of Greater NO & Acadiana New Orleans, LA | General Support | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Helis 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $82,984,093 | $4,825,901 | $3,696,976 | $2,394,486 | 62 | $3,203,844 | $4,517,303 | $4,037,637 |
| 2023 | $82,370,168 | $1,378,966 | $3,527,651 | $2,429,976 | 61 | $3,611,805 | $1,588,341 | $3,866,713 |
| 2022 | $84,698,853 | $5,122,350 | $3,484,841 | $2,479,836 | 66 | $4,382,538 | $4,274,957 | $3,983,503 |
| 2021 | $82,452,116 | $9,512,976 | $3,864,767 | $2,820,542 | 49 | $4,360,012 | $9,365,538 | $4,219,562 |
| 2020 | $76,118,135 | $2,099,307 | $3,728,971 | $2,650,842 | 54 | — | $1,204,097 | $3,748,944 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Helis Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.0M for 2024 — 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 website says it believes in the transformative power of art and supports, cultivates, and celebrates the arts in the Greater New Orleans area, with an emphasis on access, artistic excellence, and diversity. Its two funding areas have distinct purposes: the general fund grants to local nonprofits addressing community needs, while the Art Funds support operations, free admission, art acquisitions, exhibitions, and other initiatives at institutions in Metropolitan New Orleans.
The 2024 filing shows support for museums and other cultural organizations, community-service organizations, a food bank, and a hospital. Grantees’ own descriptions illustrate that range: the New Orleans Museum of Art says its mission is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and present visual art and engage a diverse public; United Way of Southeast Louisiana says its mission is to eradicate poverty in Southeast Louisiana; and Friends of WWOZ says the station celebrates the cultural diversity of New Orleans and surrounding regions through music and information.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 62 grants totaling $2,394,486. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $554,486, with a median of $16,750. The largest grants included $554,486 to the Ogden Museum of Southern Art for general operating expenses, Poydras Corridor Sculpture Exhibitions and other exhibitions, and free admission days for Louisiana residents; $254,000 to the New Orleans Museum of Art for operating expenses and free admission; and $150,000 to US Biennial Inc for general operations.
Other notable 2024 grants included $125,000 to United Way of Southeast Louisiana for Blueprint for Prosperity; $110,000 to Arts Council of New Orleans for the Unframed building wall mural; $109,500 to New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Foundation; $60,000 to Louisiana Children’s Museum; and $55,000 to Friends of WWOZ. The foundation’s website also says its general fund has provided contributions to more than 100 community organizations in recent years.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists David A. Kerstein as president, Michael F. Schott as vice president, Linda A. Reeg as secretary, and Jane C. Fiegler as treasurer.
The Helis Foundation is led by David A. Kerstein, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
David A. Kerstein
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jane C. Fiegler
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda A. Reeg
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael F. Schott
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Helis Foundation
How much does The Helis Foundation give each year?
The Helis Foundation gave $2.4M across 62 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.4M across 61 grants.
What is The Helis Foundation's typical grant size?
The Helis Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $16,750, and its average grant was $38,621, across 62 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Helis Foundation that year got $18K on average.
Where does The Helis Foundation give grants?
The Helis Foundation gives mostly in Louisiana: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were New Orleans, LA (50 grants) and Metairie, LA (2 grants).
Does The Helis Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 34% of The Helis Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (21 of 62) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "In Memory of donation" (3 grants).
Who are The Helis Foundation's largest grantees?
The Helis Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Ogden Museum of Southern Art ($554,486), New Orleans Museum of Art ($254,000) and US Biennial Inc ($150,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($11,800), which are not listed by name. Together they received 40% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Helis Foundation?
The Helis Foundation reported $83.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.0M (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 Helis Foundation fund?
The foundation’s website says it believes in the transformative power of art and supports, cultivates, and celebrates the arts in the Greater New Orleans area, with an emphasis on access, artistic excellence, and diversity. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Helis Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Helis Foundation's EIN?
The Helis Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 72-6020536. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Helis Foundation 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Funders that support many of the same organizations
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WK Kellogg Foundation
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Helis Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-helis-foundation-morg_3f482d1a21204f33917d6a971733c626
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_726020536_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Helis Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-helis-foundation-morg_3f482d1a21204f33917d6a971733c626},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 Helis 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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