Walter E Heller Foundation
Walter E Heller Foundation is a private foundation, based in Dallas, TX. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2021. In 2021, it awarded 2 grants totaling $17.5M. Net investment income was $583K.
Walter E Heller Foundation at a glance
In short: Walter E Heller Foundation gave $17.5M across 2 grants in 2021 (avg $8.7M), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $17,467,024
- +2101.3% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 2
- +100.0% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $8,733,512
- +1000.6% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $8,733,512
- Primary geography
- Illinois (95% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated September 2026.
Who Walter E Heller Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was The Chicago Community Trust ($16.6M).
Grant Size Distribution
3 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $500K–1M range: 2 grants of 3 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2021 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Walter E Heller Foundation gives
- In 2021 it paid out well above 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 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $794K (2020) to $17.5M (2021). In 2021 it made 2 grants totaling $17.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Chicago Community Trust Chicago, IL | Unrestricted General | $16,587,024 |
| See Attached See Attached, RI | Unrestricted General | $880,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | $637,126 | $17,600,833 | $17,467,024 | 2 | $17,530,342 | $582,784 | $565,039 |
| 2020 | $9,951,462 | $-51,530 | $893,996 | $793,500 | 1 | — | $194,578 | $653,814 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Walter E Heller Foundation reported a distributable amount of $565K for 2021 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Walter E Heller Foundation is led by M Catherine Ryan coBank of America, President & Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 5 officers listed in 2021 is compensated.
Officers on the 2021 filing
M Catherine Ryan coBank of America
President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Allan C Ryan IV
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carol Sonnschein Sadow
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bank Of America N A
Agent for Fiduciary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$61K (2020) → $0 (2021)
Mary J Termondt co Bank of America
Director Emeritus
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$66K (2021)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2021. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2021 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2021 filing was $66K, to Mary J Termondt co Bank of America (Director Emeritus).
Frequently asked questions about Walter E Heller Foundation
How much does Walter E Heller Foundation give each year?
Walter E Heller Foundation gave $17.5M across 2 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2020 it gave $794K across 1 grant.
Where does Walter E Heller Foundation operate?
Walter E Heller Foundation has awarded grants in Illinois, Rhode Island.
How much is Walter E Heller Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2021, Walter E Heller Foundation reported a distributable amount of $565K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Walter E Heller Foundation's EIN?
Walter E Heller Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6058986. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2021.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 27, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2021
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Browse active grant opportunities in Walter E Heller Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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