Vista Foundation
Vista Foundation is listed as a private foundation based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Its 2024 IRS filing reports 53 grants totaling $719,200. Separately, a website under the name Vista Foundation describes a charitable trust supporting New Zealand’s film and screen industry. The website’s stated location and focus differ from the Cincinnati foundation’s filing and grant records.
Vista Foundation at a glance
In short: Vista Foundation gave $719K across 53 grants in 2024 (avg $14K), top state Ohio. 32% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $719,200
- -20.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 53
- -20.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $13,570
- +1.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $8,845,313
- +4.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (17 of 53, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (43% 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 Vista Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The 2024 filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It lists Helen Heekin as the application contact, requests no more than three pages of forms and materials, and states there are no restrictions on awards. The website invites applications and asks applicants to provide as much detail as possible about the applicant and proposed project or program. It says the foundation meets quarterly.
- Review Cycle
- The 2024 filing states there are no deadlines.
- Deadline
- The 2024 filing states there are no deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: Helen Heekin
Mailing address: 1991 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45208
Phone: (513) 488-0053
Website: https://vistafoundation.co.nz
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Vista Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Nature Conservancy ($55K). Together the top 10 received $305K.
Grant Size Distribution
328 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 323 grants of 328 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 filing shows that 43% of grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio, followed by Florida (12%), New Mexico (11%), California (11%), and Virginia (8%). The listed recipients also include organizations in other states. Separately, the website describes its focus as supporting film and screen industry development in New Zealand.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 53 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Vista Foundation open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 17 of 53 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $18K; repeat grants $12K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 60% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 21% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 85% 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 $463K (2020) to $900K (2023). In 2024 it made 53 grants totaling $719K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Nature Conservancy Arlington, VA | General Operating Fund | $55,000 |
| Key West Literaray Seminar Key West, FL | General Operating Fund | $45,000 |
| Cam San Antonio, TX | General Operating Fund | $30,000 |
| Praying for Change Foundation West Hollywood, CA | General Operating Fund | $30,000 |
| Afghan Scout Relief Fund Ranchos De Taos, NM | General Operating Fund | $25,000 |
| Cam Foundation Sheman Oaks, CA | General Operating Fund | $25,000 |
| Camping & Education Foundation Cincinnati, OH | General Operating Fund | $25,000 |
| Manifest Creative Research Gallery Cincinnati, OH | General Operating Fund | $25,000 |
| Take Stock in Children Fort Lauderdale, FL | General Operating Fund | $25,000 |
| Cincinnati Care Hamilton, OH | General Operating Fund | $20,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Vista 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 | $8,845,313 | $1,175,863 | $785,698 | $719,200 | 53 | $719,400 | $623,486 | $850,131 |
| 2023 | $8,463,654 | $741,046 | $966,380 | $900,000 | 67 | $900,000 | $290,458 | $734,084 |
| 2022 | $8,688,988 | $864,013 | $702,254 | $626,542 | 75 | $626,542 | $191,195 | $757,244 |
| 2021 | $8,533,229 | $851,331 | $689,072 | $594,045 | 74 | $594,045 | $388,899 | $728,471 |
| 2020 | $8,364,970 | $544,025 | $530,566 | $462,800 | 59 | — | $178,308 | $544,033 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Vista Foundation reported a distributable amount of $850K 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 website says its aim is to help build a viable and sustainable film industry in New Zealand. It describes funding selected events, education, and training, as well as mentorship and initiatives to help filmmakers develop and bring projects to market. These priorities are stated on the website and are distinct from the range of recipients shown in the Cincinnati foundation’s 2024 filing.
The 2024 filing lists grants to organizations working in varied areas. For example, grantee Manifest Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Center says it offers visual-arts exhibitions, studio programs, and publications. Cincinnati Museum Center says it provides educational experiences in science and regional history. La Soupe says it rescues produce to make meals for customers, nonprofits, and food-insecure families. These describe the grantees’ missions, not the foundation’s.
Grantmaking
The Cincinnati foundation reported 53 grants totaling $719,200 in 2024. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $55,000, with a median of $10,000. Listed 2024 recipients include The Nature Conservancy ($55,000), Key West Literary Seminar ($45,000), CAM ($30,000), Praying for Change Foundation ($30,000), and Afghan Scout Relief Fund ($25,000). The filing lists the purposes of these grants as general operating fund.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Helen K. Heekin as president and trustee; Charles L. Heekin II and Peter Heekin as vice presidents and trustees; R. McShane Heekin as secretary and trustee; and Micaela Heekin as treasurer and trustee.
Vista Foundation is led by Helen K. Heekin, President & Trustee on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Helen K. Heekin
President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Charles L. Heekin II
Vice President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Micaela Heekin
Treasurer & Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Peter Heekin
Vice President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
R. McShane Heekin
Secretary & Trustee
On filings since 2020
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 Vista Foundation
How much does Vista Foundation give each year?
Vista Foundation gave $719K across 53 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $900K across 67 grants.
What is Vista Foundation's typical grant size?
Vista Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $13,570, across 53 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Vista Foundation that year got $18K on average.
Where does Vista Foundation give grants?
Vista Foundation's top state is Ohio, with 43% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Florida (12%) and New Mexico (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Cincinnati, OH (26 grants), Key West, FL (2 grants), San Fransisco, CA (2 grants) and Delray Beach, FL (2 grants).
Does Vista Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Vista Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (53 of 53) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Vista Foundation's largest grantees?
Vista Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Nature Conservancy ($55,000), Key West Literaray Seminar ($45,000) and Cam ($30,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Vista Foundation?
Vista Foundation reported $8.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $719K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $850K (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 Vista Foundation fund?
The website says its aim is to help build a viable and sustainable film industry in New Zealand. It describes funding selected events, education, and training, as well as mentorship and initiatives to help filmmakers develop and bring projects to market. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Vista Foundation?
The 2024 filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Vista Foundation's EIN?
Vista Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1347794. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Vista Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/vista-foundation-morg_bd69ed9a8c8148bdb0c2c450a56e907f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_311347794_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Vista Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/vista-foundation-morg_bd69ed9a8c8148bdb0c2c450a56e907f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Vista 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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