The Help for People Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker Norwich, VT EIN: 54-6520154

The Help for People Foundation is a private foundation based in Norwich, Vermont. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations supporting educational programming, cancer research, people experiencing homelessness, public broadcasting, food access, and other community needs.

Key facts about The Help for People Foundation

In short: The Help for People Foundation gave $275K across 20 grants in 2025 (avg $14K), top state Vermont. 25% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
54-6520154
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$275,000
Grants made (2025)
20
Average grant
$13,750
Median grant
$10,000
New grantees (estimate)
25% first-time grantees (5 of 20, 2025)
Total assets
$6,501,037
Primary geography
Vermont (47% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to apply
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Full details ↓

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$6.5M

+9.3% YoY

Annual Giving

$275K

-35.2% YoY

Grant Count

20

-4.8% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$14K

-32.0% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Help for People Foundation reported a distributable amount of $342K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Is The Help for People Foundation open to new grantees?

25%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 5 of 20 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $16K; repeat grants $13K. How we count

Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.

  • 55% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−3%). Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 81% 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 (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations working in areas including education, cancer research, housing and food access, public broadcasting, arts, and community services.

Some grantees describe their work this way: Upper Valley Haven says it assists people experiencing poverty to be free from hunger, be securely housed, and pursue a self-directed life. New Hampshire Public Radio describes its work as producing and distributing objective, in-depth reporting and engaging content. The Family Place says it provides programs to strengthen relationships, teach essential skills, and promote healthy growth for families with young children. Holyoke Art says it supports city-wide cultural events and arts programs.

Grantmaking

In 2025, the foundation reported 20 grants totaling $275,000. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $40,000, with a median grant of $10,000.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with The Help for People Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2025, grant dollars went to recipients in Vermont (47%), Massachusetts (16%), New Hampshire (15%), Tennessee (15%), and Virginia (5%).

Grant Distribution by State

11states

Share of all 20 itemized 2025 grant dollars.

Cities

NorwichLebanonHolyokeWashingtonMemphisHartfordBaltimoreMontpelierBrattleboroEnfieldFairfieldChestertownHanoverArlingtonBelmontColchesterConcordMiddleburyNew YorkStrafford

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$200K$400K$600K34 grants202040 grants202131 grants202232 grants202321 grants202420 grants2025

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Lighthouse Holyoke: $40KLighthouse Holyoke$40KSt Judes Research Hospital: $40KSt Judes Research Hospital$40KUpper Valley Haven: $40KUpper Valley Haven$40KFriends of the Norris Cotton Cancer: $20KFriends of the Norris CottonCancer$20KVermont Public: $20KVermont Public$20KWilling Hands: $20KWilling Hands$20KHartford Dismas House: $10KHartford Dismas House$10KNew Hampshire Public Radio: $10KNew Hampshire Public Radio$10KPublic Broadcasting Service: $10KPublic Broadcasting Service$10KSpecial Needs Support Center: $10KSpecial Needs Support Center$10K

Grant Size Distribution

144 grants across all recorded years

140<$50K3$50–100K1$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
LIGHTHOUSE HOLYOKE Holyoke, MASUPPORT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING$40,000
ST JUDES RESEARCH HOSPITAL Memphis, TNSUPPORT RESEARCH OF CHILDHOOD CANCER$40,000
UPPER VALLEY HAVEN White River JCT, VTSUPPORT FOR THE UNHOUSED$40,000
FRIENDS OF THE NORRIS COTTON CANCER Lebanon, NHSUPPORT FOR CANCER RESEARCH$20,000
VERMONT PUBLIC Colchester, VTSUPPORT FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING$20,000
WILLING HANDS Norwich, VTSUPPORT FOR FOOD ACCESS$20,000
HARTFORD DISMAS HOUSE Hartford, VTSUPPORT OF THE FORMERLY INCARCERATED$10,000
NEW HAMPSHIRE PUBLIC RADIO Concord, NHSUPPORT FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING$10,000
PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE Arlington, VASUPPORT FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING$10,000
SPECIAL NEEDS SUPPORT CENTER White River JCT, VTSPECIAL NEEDS COMMUNITY SUPPORT$10,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants
2025 $6,501,037 $1,072,175 $338,087 $275,000
2024 $5,947,251 $648,606 $478,425 $424,500
2023 $5,776,464 $413,206 $442,224 $390,000
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$500K$1M$1.5M202020212022202320242025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$6,501,037$5,947,251$5,776,464
Revenue$1,072,175$648,606$413,206
Expenses$338,087$478,425$442,224
Qualifying Distributions$277,198$426,400$391,783
Net Investment Income$508,225$345,084$112,910
Distributable Amount$342,363$319,236$312,132

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 13, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 23, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 20, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
  6. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 5, 2026)
  7. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 13, 2021)
  8. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 23, 2022)
  9. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
  10. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 20, 2024)
  11. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
  12. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 5, 2026)

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Teresa Lyons and Tracy Lyons Rodriguez as trustees.

The Help for People Foundation's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Teresa Lyons

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Tracy Lyons Rodriguez

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (1)
  • Former: John Lyons (2020–2023) — Trustee

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Contact

Mailing address: PO Box 1, Norwich, VT 05055
Phone: (802) 649-1689

Frequently asked questions about The Help for People Foundation

How much does The Help for People Foundation give each year?

The Help for People Foundation gave $275K across 20 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $425K across 21 grants.

What is The Help for People Foundation's typical grant size?

The Help for People Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $13,750, across 20 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Help for People Foundation that year got $16K on average.

Where does The Help for People Foundation give grants?

The Help for People Foundation's top state is Vermont, with 47% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Massachusetts (16%) and New Hampshire (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Norwich, VT (6 grants), Lebanon, NH (3 grants) and Holyoke, MA (2 grants).

Does The Help for People Foundation give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 20 grants with a stated purpose on The Help for People Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support for Public Broadcasting" (4 grants).

Who are The Help for People Foundation's largest grantees?

The Help for People Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Lighthouse Holyoke ($40,000), St Judes Research Hospital ($40,000) and Upper Valley Haven ($40,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 44% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is The Help for People Foundation?

The Help for People Foundation reported $6.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $277K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $342K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does The Help for People Foundation fund?

No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations working in areas including education, cancer research, housing and food access, public broadcasting, arts, and community services. Some grantees describe their work this way: Upper Valley Haven says it assists people experiencing poverty to be free from hunger, be securely housed, and pursue a self-directed life. New Hampshire Public Radio describes its work as producing and distributing objective, in-de…

How do I apply for a grant from The Help for People Foundation?

The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is The Help for People Foundation's EIN?

The Help for People Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-6520154. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Does The Help for People Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?

No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching The Help for People Foundation by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in The Help for People Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

New Hampshire Charitable Foundation

Concord, NH

The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation funds nonprofits and students, with grants supporting areas such as health, education, housing, the environment, arts, and economic security, primarily benefiting New Hampshire communities. Its 2024 median itemized grant was $25,000, and its Responsive Grants program offers eligible nonprofits up to $10,000; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$1.2B

Grants

949

Total Given

$59.7M

The Couch Family Foundation

Hanover, NH

The Couch Family Foundation funds early care and education statewide in New Hampshire, and work benefiting children, families, and communities in the Upper Valley of New Hampshire and Vermont and on Martha’s Vineyard. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $20,000; first-time grantees generally receive $10,000 or less. It states that it does not accept unsolicited requests, though its website invites applications for Cherished Communities; Statewide Early Care and Education is by invitation only.

Assets

$123.4M

Grants

106

Total Given

$6.1M

Emily Landecker Foundation Inc

Hanover, NH

The Emily Landecker Foundation supports charitable, educational, environmental, agricultural, transportation, and community-service organizations, primarily in New Hampshire’s and Vermont’s Upper Connecticut River Valley. In 2025, grants ranged from $500 to $1.6 million, with a median of $5,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$37.2M

Grants

113

Total Given

$4.2M

Flora R and Isidor M Stettenheim

Norwich, VT

This foundation supports preselected charitable organizations across areas including arts and media, food assistance, civil liberties, farmworker organizing, and community services, with most recent grants concentrated in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Virginia. Its 2025 grants ranged from $100 to $7,500, with a median of $1,000; it does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$820K

Grants

53

Total Given

$71K

Frank and Brinna Sands Foundation

East Thetford, VT

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$2.1M

Grants

23

Total Given

$91K

Mascoma Bank Foundation

Lebanon, NH

Mascoma Bank Foundation funds capital projects and local community needs, including facility improvements, construction, capital campaigns, and donations or sponsorships for nonprofits and community organizations. Capital awards are typically $5,000–$25,000, while donations and sponsorships are up to $5,000; it funds organizations in Mascoma Bank’s lending area, primarily in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. It accepts applications through the Mascoma Bank website and considers them quarterly.

Assets

$7.2M

Grants

35

Total Given

$499K

National Life Group Charitable

Montpelier, VT

National Life Group Charitable primarily funds programs addressing childhood hunger and children’s mental health, with secondary support for community development, especially in central and northern Vermont and the Dallas, Texas area. Its 2024 grants ranged from $20 to $125,000, with a median of $1,040. It accepts online grant applications from January 1 through March 31; sponsorship requests are accepted year-round beginning in January, subject to available funds.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$27.4M

Grants

757

Total Given

$2.7M

The Vermont Community Foundation

Middlebury, VT

The Vermont Community Foundation funds nonprofits and community initiatives in areas including economic equity, education, health, climate and the environment, and community leadership, primarily in Vermont. Its 2024 grants had a median of $18,000, though amounts varied widely; application routes differ by program, and RALI grants are invitation-only, while nonprofits may submit a form to introduce themselves to the Foundation.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$370.6M

Grants

728

Total Given

$46.3M

Ben & Jerry's Foundation Inc

South Burlington, VT

The Ben & Jerry’s Foundation funds grassroots organizations working for social and environmental justice, with Vermont programs for basic needs and equity and justice, and a national organizing program whose current status is unclear. Giving is typically small—Vermont grants are generally under $2,000 or up to $15,000, while the listed national program offers up to $30,000 per year. Vermont programs accept requests throughout the year; the national program’s page says it is not accepting applications.

Assets

$9.2M

Grants

448

Total Given

$4.2M

World Learning Inc

Brattleboro, VT

World Learning funds education, international development and exchange, including participant exchanges, study abroad, youth programs, refugee resettlement, scholarships, and related projects. In 2025 it made 127 grants ranging from $5,049 to $1,213,955, with a median of $20,901; its programs reach 162 countries, while reported grants went to recipients across multiple U.S. states. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

International, Foreign Affairs & National Security

Assets

$72.0M

Grants

127

Total Given

$5.3M

The Windham Foundation Inc

Grafton, VT

The Windham Foundation funds Vermont nonprofits working on rural economic development, food security, conservation, arts and learning, historic preservation, and community health and wellness; its Grafton Fund supports organizations in the Grafton area. Typical awards average $2,500–$5,000, with program grants up to $10,000. It provides an application form and guidelines for grant cycles, indicating that applicants may apply directly.

Assets

$17.3M

Grants

124

Total Given

$393K

The Pfizer Foundation Inc

New York, NY

The Pfizer Foundation funds locally led health programs that improve access to care and strengthen health systems, as well as health-crisis and disaster responses, worldwide. In 2024, grants ranged from $2 to $4 million, with a median of $200. It supports only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$255.3M

Grants

9,306

Total Given

$23.2M

More Funders in Vermont

The Help for People Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?