The Helis Foundation
The Helis Foundation is a Louisiana private foundation established and funded by the William Helis Family in 1955. Based in New Orleans, the foundation is dedicated to supporting the arts and community needs in the greater New Orleans area. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with a focus on advancing access to the arts and continuing a family legacy of philanthropic support to the New Orleans community.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$83.0M
+0.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.4M
-1.5% YoY
Grant Count
62
+1.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$39K
-3.0% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Helis Foundation believes in the transformative power of art—whether to preserve culture, enrich lives, foster community, invigorate conversation, or challenge mindset. The foundation is dedicated to supporting, cultivating, and celebrating the vibrant arts scene in the greater New Orleans area by providing access to works of art from world-renowned artists both local and international, providing vital resources, encouraging artistic excellence, and promoting accessibility and diversity through art.
The foundation's resources and objectives are divided into two areas:
General Fund: Focuses on community needs primarily within the Metropolitan New Orleans area by granting funds to numerous local nonprofit organizations.
Diana Helis Henry and Adrienne Helis Malvin Art Funds: Established by bequests from Diana Helis Henry and Adrienne Helis Malvin, these funds make grants to sustain operations, provide free admission to, and acquire significant art works on behalf of institutions within the Metropolitan New Orleans area. The Art Funds also underwrite major initiatives and special projects.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept applications.
Grant Range
s:**
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with The Helis Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations and initiatives within the Metropolitan New Orleans area and Louisiana. Recent projects include public art installations throughout downtown New Orleans and support for major cultural institutions in the region.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- 2024: $82.98 million
- 2023: $82.4 million
Annual Giving & Revenue:
- 2024 Total Revenues: $4.83 million
- 2024 Total Expenses: $3.70 million
- 2023 Revenue: $1.38 million
- 2023 Expenses: $3.53 million
Liabilities:
- 2023: $1.64 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $82,984,093 | $82,370,168 | $84,698,853 |
| Revenue | $4,825,901 | $1,378,966 | $5,122,350 |
| Expenses | $3,696,976 | $3,527,651 | $3,484,841 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,203,844 | $3,611,805 | $4,382,538 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,517,303 | $1,588,341 | $4,274,957 |
| Distributable Amount | $4,037,637 | $3,866,713 | $3,983,503 |
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
249 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Ogden Museum of Southern Art ($554,486), New Orleans Museum of Art ($254,000), US Biennial Inc ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boy Scouts of America Metairie, LA | In Memory Donation, Support Pillars of Scouting | $10,000 |
| Bridge House Corporation New Orleans, LA | Scholarship Fund | $25,000 |
| Bureau of Governmental Research New Orleans, LA | Support of Civil Service in the New Orleans Project | $25,000 |
| Crimestoppers Inc Metairie, LA | General Support | $10,000 |
| Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans New Orleans, LA | General Support | $15,000 |
| KID smART New Orleans, LA | School Resources Budget for Art Supplies | $21,500 |
| Liberty's Kitchen Inc New Orleans, LA | Youth Development Program | $10,000 |
| Metropolitan Crime Commission Inc New Orleans, LA | General support | $5,000 |
| New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation New Orleans, LA | Stake out for Justice | $5,000 |
| Preservation Resource Center New Orleans, LA | General Operating Expense | $53,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Jessie Haynes is identified as the Managing Director of The Helis Foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID A KERSTEIN | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL F SCHOTT | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| LINDA A REEG | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| JANE C FIEGLER | TREASURER | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Unframed Public Art Initiative:**
The Helis Foundation presents Unframed, a large-scale outdoor mural project in downtown New Orleans. The 11th mural, "The Welcoming Committee" by New Orleans artist Annie Moran, was unveiled above the Girod Street overpass, featuring larger-than-life figures celebrating the city's cultural traditions.
**John Scott Center:**
The Helis Foundation John Scott Center at the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities spans 6,000 square feet and serves as a community hub featuring interactive and innovative exhibits, programs, and experiences inspired by artist, educator, and humanist John T. Scott. The center houses a collection of 51 works by Scott and offers educational opportunities.
**The Helis Foundation Gallery at the Jazz Heritage Center:**
The foundation supports The Helis Foundation Gallery at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center, which was re-installed in January 2025. The gallery features over 60 works of art acquired with foundation support, including pieces by Louisiana artists, and serves as a reflective space for students of the Don "Moose" Jamison Heritage School of Music.
**Louisiana Contemporary:**
The Helis Foundation presents the Louisiana Contemporary exhibition at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, celebrating contemporary artists from Louisiana.
Ogden Museum of Southern Art announces award winners of 2025 ...**Evenings with Enrique:**
The foundation supports this beloved local concert series held at the New Orleans Botanical Garden.
**Major Past Initiatives:**
The Art Funds have underwritten significant projects including Prospect.3's Basquiat and the Bayou, the Poydras Corridor Sculpture Exhibition, the installation of Lynda Benglis' "The Wave of the World" in City Park, The Helis Foundation Enrique Alférez Sculpture Garden, and exhibitions at major cultural institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Helis Foundation fund?
The Helis Foundation believes in the transformative power of art—whether to preserve culture, enrich lives, foster community, invigorate conversation, or challenge mindset. The foundation is dedicated to supporting, cultivating, and celebrating the vibrant arts scene in the greater New Orleans area by providing access to works of art from world-renowned artists both local and international, providing vital resources, encouraging artistic excellence, and promoting accessibility and diversity thr…
How do I apply for a grant from The Helis Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • 2024: 49 grants totaling approximately $1.9 million • 2023: 67 grants totaling $2.5 million • 2022: 49 grants totaling $2.8 million • 2021: 54 grants totaling $2.7 million **Grant Sizes:** • Median grant: $10,000–$20,000 (varies by year) • Grant range: $500–$766,000 **Application Process:** The foundation does not accept applications. **Recent Grant Recipients (2024):** • Ogden Museum of Southern Art: $554,486 (support of general operating expenses, Poydras Corridor Sculpt…
Where does The Helis Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations and initiatives within the Metropolitan New Orleans area and Louisiana. Recent projects include public art installations throughout downtown New Orleans and support for major cultural institutions in the region.
What size grants does The Helis Foundation award?
In 2024, The Helis Foundation awarded 62 grants totaling $2.4M — an average of about $39K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Helis Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Helis Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.0M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Helis Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Team Lamada
BATON ROUGE, LA
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
The Feather Fund NOLA
MANDEVILLE, LA
Assets
$3K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Orleans Parish Prison Reform Coalition
NEW ORLEANS, LA
Assets
$156K
Grants
1
Total Given
$20K
Ballengee Family Foundation Trust
SHREVEPORT, LA
Assets
—
Grants
4
Total Given
$7K
Foundation for Louisiana
NEW ORLEANS, LA
Assets
$16.8M
Grants
99
Total Given
$2.1M
The Fellowship of Orthopaedic
METAIRIE, LA
Assets
$903K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Helis Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching The Helis Foundation to a real strategy.