Vista Foundation
The Vista Foundation is a private foundation established in 1992 and located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with no employees, functioning as a grantmaking entity that provides financial support to nonprofit organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.8M
+4.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$719K
-20.1% YoY
Grant Count
53
-20.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$14K
+1.0% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission statement has not been publicly disclosed. However, the foundation's funding interests include:
- Human services
- Health
- Education
- Children and youth
- Parks and recreation
- Arts and culture
Grantmaking
No specific application deadlines or formal application procedures are documented in available sources.
Review Cycle
or formal application procedures are documented in available sources.
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Vista Foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in Ohio, with emphasis on the Cincinnati area.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 31, 2023:
- Total assets: $8,463,654
- Total revenues: $741,046
- Total expenses: $966,380
- Total grants, contributions, and similar income: $664,096
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,845,313 | $8,463,654 | $8,688,988 |
| Revenue | $1,175,863 | $741,046 | $864,013 |
| Expenses | $785,698 | $966,380 | $702,254 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $719,400 | $900,000 | $626,542 |
| Net Investment Income | $623,486 | $290,458 | $191,195 |
| Distributable Amount | $850,131 | $734,084 | $757,244 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Nature Conservancy ($55,000), Key West Literaray Seminar ($45,000), Cam ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ADOPT-A-NATIVE-ELDER SALT LAKE CITY, UT | GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $10,000 |
| AFGHAN SCOUT RELIEF FUND RANCHOS DE TAOS, NM | GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $25,000 |
| ART WORKS CINCINNATI, OH | GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $15,000 |
| ARTS WAVE CINCINNATI, OH | GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $1,200 |
| BEECHWOOD HOME CINCINNATI, OH | GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $10,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB PALM BEACH DELRAY BEACH, FL | GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $5,000 |
| CAM SAN ANTONIO, TX | GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $30,000 |
| CAM FOUNDATION SHEMAN OAKS, CA | GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $25,000 |
| CAMPING & EDUCATION FOUNDATION CINCINNATI, OH | GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $25,000 |
| CET CINCINNATI, OH | GENERAL OPERATING FUND | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Helen K Heekin — President and Trustee (as of October 31, 2023)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| HELEN K HEEKIN | PRES. & TRUS | — | — |
| CHARLES L HEEKIN II | VP & TRUSTEE | — | — |
| R MCSHANE HEEKIN | SEC. & TRUST | — | — |
| PETER HEEKIN | VP & TRUSTEE | — | — |
| MICAELA HEEKIN | TREAS & TRUS | — | — |
Contact Information
- Address: 1991 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45208-3216
- Telephone: 513-488-9700
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Vista Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission statement has not been publicly disclosed. However, the foundation's funding interests include: • Human services • Health • Education • Children and youth • Parks and recreation • Arts and culture
How do I apply for a grant from Vista Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • In 2023, the foundation made 68 grants • Total annual giving: approximately $719,200 • Types of support include project support and general operating funds **Recent Grants (2023):** • Cincinnati Art Museum: $65,000 (General Operating Fund) • The Joe Burrow Foundation: $35,000 (General Operating Fund) • Playing for Change Foundation: $30,000 (General Operating Fund) **Application Process:** No specific application deadlines or formal application procedures are documented in…
Where does Vista Foundation make grants?
The Vista Foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in Ohio, with emphasis on the Cincinnati area.
What size grants does Vista Foundation award?
In 2024, Vista Foundation awarded 53 grants totaling $719K — an average of about $14K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Vista Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Vista Foundation reported a distributable amount of $850K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Vista Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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