The Helm Foundation Inc
The Helm Foundation Inc is a private foundation, based in Houston, TX. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $5.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 8 grants totaling $195K.
The Helm Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Helm Foundation Inc gave $195K across 8 grants in 2024 (avg $24K), mostly in Texas. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $195,000
- -9.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 8
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $24,375
- -9.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $5,054,066
- -8.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Texas (92% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Helm Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Everybody's Place ($45K). Together the top 8 received $195K.
Grant Size Distribution
41 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 40 grants of 41 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Helm Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 55% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 120% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $126K (2021) to $215K (2023). In 2024 it made 8 grants totaling $195K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Everybody's Place Bacliff, TX | General Fund | $45,000 |
| Quillian Center Houston, TX | General Fund | $40,000 |
| The Samaritan Center Houston, TX | General Fund | $30,000 |
| Neighbors in Action Houston, TX | General Fund | $25,000 |
| Tomagwa Ministries Inc Tomball, TX | General Fund | $25,000 |
| Duke University Durham, NC | Education | $15,000 |
| Marbridge Foundation Manchaca, TX | General Fund | $10,000 |
| St Stephen's Episcopal School Austin, TX | Education | $5,000 |
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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 | $5,054,066 | $48,562 | $532,844 | $195,000 | 8 | $331,209 | — | $274,915 |
| 2023 | $5,538,348 | $236,409 | $602,371 | $215,000 | 8 | $367,045 | — | $264,251 |
| 2022 | $5,925,519 | $487,053 | $580,137 | $154,500 | 8 | $317,172 | $88,678 | $287,547 |
| 2021 | $6,062,196 | $642,400 | $560,375 | $125,500 | 8 | $287,854 | $321,347 | $325,675 |
| 2020 | $5,982,183 | $307,624 | $607,126 | $183,500 | 9 | — | $68,628 | $294,981 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Helm Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $275K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Helm Foundation Inc is led by Cyrus Vard Helm, Director & President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Cyrus Vard Helm
Director & President
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Glora Bee Helm
Director & Chairman
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Susan Helm
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/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 Helm Foundation Inc
How much does The Helm Foundation Inc give each year?
The Helm Foundation Inc gave $195K across 8 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $215K across 8 grants.
What is The Helm Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Helm Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $24,375, across 8 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Helm Foundation Inc give grants?
The Helm Foundation Inc gives mostly in Texas: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was North Carolina (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (3 grants).
Does The Helm Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 75% of The Helm Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Helm Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Helm Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Everybody's Place ($45,000), Quillian Center ($40,000) and The Samaritan Center ($30,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 59% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Helm Foundation Inc?
The Helm Foundation Inc reported $5.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $331K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $275K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Helm Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Helm Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 76-0419884. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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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