Vista Foundation logo

Vista Foundation

CINCINNATI, OH EIN: 31-1347794 Website

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.

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

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

24states
+16 more states

Cities

AbiquiuAlbequerqueAlbuquerqueArlingtonBellevueBethesdaBoiseBoulderCenter CityChicagoCincinnatiCincinnnatiColumbusDelray BeachDenveDenverEighty FourEllensburgFort CollinsFort Lauderdale

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
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$323K$647K$970K$1M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
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

$0$225K$450K$675K$900K59 grants202074 grants202175 grants202267 grants202353 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY$55KKEY WEST LITERARAY SEMINAR$45KCAM$30KPRAYING FOR CHANGE FOUND…$30KAFGHAN SCOUT RELIEF FUND$25KCAM FOUNDATION$25KCAMPING & EDUCATION FOUN…$25KMANIFEST CREATIVE RESEAR…$25KTAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN$25KCINCINNATI CARE$20K

Grant Size Distribution

250 grants across all recorded years

245<$50K5$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

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).

RecipientPurposeAmount
ADOPT-A-NATIVE-ELDER SALT LAKE CITY, UTGENERAL OPERATING FUND$10,000
AFGHAN SCOUT RELIEF FUND RANCHOS DE TAOS, NMGENERAL OPERATING FUND$25,000
ART WORKS CINCINNATI, OHGENERAL OPERATING FUND$15,000
ARTS WAVE CINCINNATI, OHGENERAL OPERATING FUND$1,200
BEECHWOOD HOME CINCINNATI, OHGENERAL OPERATING FUND$10,000
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB PALM BEACH DELRAY BEACH, FLGENERAL OPERATING FUND$5,000
CAM SAN ANTONIO, TXGENERAL OPERATING FUND$30,000
CAM FOUNDATION SHEMAN OAKS, CAGENERAL OPERATING FUND$25,000
CAMPING & EDUCATION FOUNDATION CINCINNATI, OHGENERAL OPERATING FUND$25,000
CET CINCINNATI, OHGENERAL 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

NameTitleHoursCompensation
HELEN K HEEKINPRES. & TRUS
CHARLES L HEEKIN IIVP & TRUSTEE
R MCSHANE HEEKINSEC. & TRUST
PETER HEEKINVP & TRUSTEE
MICAELA HEEKINTREAS & 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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