The Helle Family Foundation concentrates its giving on higher education and local community support, with significant, repeated gifts to the University of Illinois and substantial investments in community philanthropy in Eagle Valley, Colorado. A large multi-year and in-kind gift pattern suggests they prefer sizeable, targeted awards (including stock donations) to a small set of organizations rather than many small grants. They also fund human-service organizations that provide direct community or family supports, indicating an interest in local service delivery as well as institutional advancement.
Concentrated, high-dollar giving to a small number of repeat grantees; mix of cash and in-kind stock donations; geographic split between University of Illinois–related beneficiaries and local Eagle Valley community funds/organizations.
Repeated support for the University of Illinois system stands out in the Helle Family Foundation’s recent grant history, including $300,000 to the University of Illinois Foundation in 2023 and $271,127 to the University of Illinois in 2025. That pattern sits alongside sizable gifts to The Josselyn Center and Eagle Valley community organizations, showing a mix of higher-education support and local philanthropy. The foundation’s larger awards often go to a small group of recipients rather than a broad roster of many organizations. In Illinois, the foundation has backed both institutional advancement and direct human services. The University of Illinois Foundation received additional in-kind grants through donations of marketable securities, while The Josselyn Center appeared with both general funding and program-services support. In Colorado, Eagle Valley Community Foundation, Eagle Valley Community Fund, Vail Health Foundation, Vail Health Services Foundation, Steadman Philippon Research Institute, Spri, and Vail veterans organizations received support, reflecting a clear interest in the communities around Edwards and Vail. The grant record also includes American Red Cross support in two cities, suggesting some flexibility outside those core relationships.
Higher education is one of the clearest themes in the grant record. The foundation gave $300,000 to University of Illinois Foundation for general funding, then later supported the University of Illinois with $271,127 to further program services. It also made in-kind securities gifts to the University of Illinois Foundation, including AAPL, DIA, and BRKB shares. Community philanthropy in Eagle Valley, Colorado is another recurring area. Grants include $125,000 to Eagle Valley Community Foundation and $101,516 to Eagle Valley Community Fund, both tied to general funding or program services. The foundation also backs direct-service organizations. The Josselyn Center received $227,500 in 2023 and $133,513 in 2025, with the later award designated to further program services. Health and emergency-response organizations appear as well, with support for Vail Health Foundation, Vail Health Services Foundation, and the American Red Cross.
Typical grant size is modest for routine awards but the upper range is substantial: p25 is $2,000, median is $5,000, and p75 is $19,951. The recent record shows both one-time and repeated support, with several recipients appearing in multiple years, including University of Illinois-related entities, The Josselyn Center, Eagle Valley organizations, and the American Red Cross. The foundation is a private family foundation, not a donor-advised fund, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. The record also includes in-kind gifts of marketable securities alongside cash grants.
$718K
$16.1M
$6M
$954K
Most grants fall between $2K and $20K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$20K
About 24% of grants go to recipients in IL.
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Notable grantees: University of Illinois Foundation, The Josselyn Center, Eagle Valley Community Foundation, University of Illinois, Eagle Valley Community Fund
Grant recipients are entirely in the US. Illinois appears most often, especially Chicago, Urbana, Champaign, Northfield, Northbrook, Glenview, and Golf. Colorado is also prominent, with Edwards and Vail showing multiple awards and a 25% share of grants going to recipients in the HQ state of Colorado. Other named recipient locations include Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Washington, DC. The pattern suggests a strong Illinois-and-Colorado footprint with occasional support elsewhere in the country.
The foundation’s recent grants show a strong pattern of support for higher education, local community philanthropy, and direct human-service organizations. University of Illinois-related entities received multiple awards, Eagle Valley community organizations in Colorado were funded repeatedly, and service providers such as The Josselyn Center and the American Red Cross also appear in the record.
The typical grant size is $2,000 at the 25th percentile, $5,000 at the median, and $19,951 at the 75th percentile. The recent grant list also includes larger awards such as $300,000 and $271,127, showing that the foundation makes both routine mid-sized gifts and larger targeted grants.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including University of Illinois-related entities, The Josselyn Center, Eagle Valley Community organizations, and the American Red Cross. That repeat pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-off gifts only.
Yes. While Illinois is the top state by grant count and Colorado receives a substantial share, the record also includes grants to organizations in Massachusetts and Washington, DC. All recent grants listed are to US recipients.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS | CHAMPAIGN, IL | $271,127 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| THE JOSSELYN CENTER | NORTHBROOK, IL | $133,513 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| EAGLE VALLEY COMMUNITY FUND | EDWARDS, CO | $101,516 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| EVANS SCHOLARS FOUNDATION | GLENVIEW, IL | $50,339 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | WASHINGTON, DC | $35,564 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| VAIL HEALTH FOUNDATION | EDWARDS, CO | $25,870 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| STEADMAN PHILIPPON RESEARCH INSTITUTE | VAIL, CO | $20,801 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| VAIL VETERNS FOUNDATION INC | VAIL, CO | $12,881 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| GUARDIAN SCHOLARS FOUNDATION | WEST DES MOINES, IA | $12,214 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| LOYOLA UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $10,453 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| WALKING MOUNTAINS SCIENCE CENTER | AVON, CO | $5,108 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| PECS FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| LIFT UP | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION | MISSOULA, MT | $2,500 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $2,500 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| EQUAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE | MONTGOMERY, AL | $2,500 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| B THE DIFFERENCE | DORAL, FL | $2,500 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | ANN ARBOR, MI | $2,500 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| HOOKER COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | MULLEN, NE | $2,500 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| GLENVIEW SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION | GOLF, IL | $2,500 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | EVANSTON, IL | $2,500 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| WOMANS BOARD OF RUSH | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| ROSS K MACNEILL FOUNDATION | WHEATON, IL | $1,500 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| AFRICA NEW LIFE MINISTRIES | PORTLAND, OR | $1,500 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| YOUTH POWER 365 | EAGLE, CO | $1,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| CATO INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| CLEARBROOK | ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES |
| THE JOSSELYN CENTER | NORTHFIELD, IL | $125,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| EAGLE VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | EDWARDS, CO | $125,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION | URBANA, IL | $101,244 | 2024 | ON 10/4/2023, THE FOUNDATION DONATED 583 SHS OF AAPL WITH A BOOK VALUE OF $173.66 TO HELP FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAM SERVICES. VALUATIONS ARE BASED ON THE AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW SHARE PRICE ON THE DATE OF THE CONTRIBUTION. |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION | URBANA, IL | $100,290 | 2024 | ON 10/4/2023, THE FOUNDATION DONATED 303 SHS OF DIA WITH A BOOK VALUE OF $330.99 TO HELP FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAM SERVICES. VALUATIONS ARE BASED ON THE AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW SHARE PRICE ON THE DATE OF THE CONTRIBUTION. |
| EVANS SCHOLARS FOUNDATION | GOLF, IL | $50,463 | 2024 | ON 11/16/2023, THE FOUNDATION DONATED 266 SHS OF AAPL WITH A BOOK VALUE OF $189.71 TO HELP FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAM SERVICES. VALUATIONS ARE BASED ON THE AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW SHARE PRICE ON THE DATE OF THE CONTRIBUTION. |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION | URBANA, IL | $49,835 | 2024 | ON 10/4/2023, THE FOUNDATION DONATED 145 SHS OF BRKB WITH A BOOK VALUE OF $343.69 TO HELP FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAM SERVICES. VALUATIONS ARE BASED ON THE AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW SHARE PRICE ON THE DATE OF THE CONTRIBUTION. |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $25,141 | 2024 | ON 11/16/2023, THE FOUNDATION DONATED 653 SHS OF PSHZF WITH A BOOK VALUE OF $38.50 TO HELP FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAM SERVICES. VALUATIONS ARE BASED ON THE AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW SHARE PRICE ON THE DATE OF THE CONTRIBUTION. |
| VAIL HEALTH SERVICES FOUNDATION | EDWARDS, CO | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| SPRI | VAIL, CO | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| LOYOLA UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $19,951 | 2024 | ON 11/16/2023, THE FOUNDATION DONATED 57 SHS OF DIA WITH A BOOK VALUE OF $350.02 TO HELP FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAM SERVICES. VALUATIONS ARE BASED ON THE AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW SHARE PRICE ON THE DATE OF THE CONTRIBUTION. |
| VAIL VALLEY VETERANS | VAIL, CO | $12,500 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| GUARDIAN SCHOLARS | BOULDER, CO | $12,235 | 2024 | ON 11/16/2023, THE FOUNDATION DONATED 34 SHS OF BRKB WITH A BOOK VALUE OF $359.86 TO HELP FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAM SERVICES. VALUATIONS ARE BASED ON THE AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW SHARE PRICE ON THE DATE OF THE CONTRIBUTION. |
| YOUTH GUIDANCE BAM PROGRAM | CHICAGO, IL | $10,495 | 2024 | ON 12/5/2023, THE FOUNDATION DONATED 29 SHS OF DIA WITH A BOOK VALUE OF $361.91 TO HELP FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAM SERVICES. VALUATIONS ARE BASED ON THE AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW SHARE PRICE ON THE DATE OF THE CONTRIBUTION. |
| THE JOSSELYN CENTER | NORTHFIELD, IL | $10,151 | 2024 | ON 11/16/2023, THE FOUNDATION DONATED 29 SHS OF DIA WITH A BOOK VALUE OF $350.02 TO HELP FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAM SERVICES. VALUATIONS ARE BASED ON THE AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW SHARE PRICE ON THE DATE OF THE CONTRIBUTION. |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS USA | HAGERSTOWN, MD | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| LIFT UP ROUTT COUNTY | STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| EQUAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE | MONTGOMERY, AL | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| PPRM | DENVER, CO | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| FRIENDS OF MOUNTAIN RESCUE | EDWARDS, CO | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| FRIENDS OF VAIL MOUNTAIN RESCUE | EDWARDS, CO | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| WALKING MOUNTAINS SCIENCE CENTER | AVON, CO | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | ANN ARBOR, MI | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDING |
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
$271,127TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES
EAGLE VALLEY COMMUNITY FUND
$101,516TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES
EVANS SCHOLARS FOUNDATION
$50,339TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES
VAIL HEALTH FOUNDATION
$25,870TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES
VAIL VETERNS FOUNDATION INC
$12,881TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES
GUARDIAN SCHOLARS FOUNDATION
$12,214TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES
PECS FOUNDATION
$5,000TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION
$2,500TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES
B THE DIFFERENCE
$2,500TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
$2,500TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES
HOOKER COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$2,500TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES
GLENVIEW SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
$2,500TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES
WOMANS BOARD OF RUSH
$2,500TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES
ROSS K MACNEILL FOUNDATION
$1,500TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES
ON 10/4/2023, THE FOUNDATION DONATED 583 SHS OF AAPL WITH A BOOK VALUE OF $173.66 TO HELP FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAM SERVICES. VALUATIONS ARE BASED ON THE AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW SHARE PRICE ON THE DATE OF THE CONTRIBUTION.
ON 10/4/2023, THE FOUNDATION DONATED 303 SHS OF DIA WITH A BOOK VALUE OF $330.99 TO HELP FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAM SERVICES. VALUATIONS ARE BASED ON THE AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW SHARE PRICE ON THE DATE OF THE CONTRIBUTION.
EVANS SCHOLARS FOUNDATION
$50,463ON 11/16/2023, THE FOUNDATION DONATED 266 SHS OF AAPL WITH A BOOK VALUE OF $189.71 TO HELP FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAM SERVICES. VALUATIONS ARE BASED ON THE AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW SHARE PRICE ON THE DATE OF THE CONTRIBUTION.
ON 10/4/2023, THE FOUNDATION DONATED 145 SHS OF BRKB WITH A BOOK VALUE OF $343.69 TO HELP FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAM SERVICES. VALUATIONS ARE BASED ON THE AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW SHARE PRICE ON THE DATE OF THE CONTRIBUTION.
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$25,141ON 11/16/2023, THE FOUNDATION DONATED 653 SHS OF PSHZF WITH A BOOK VALUE OF $38.50 TO HELP FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAM SERVICES. VALUATIONS ARE BASED ON THE AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW SHARE PRICE ON THE DATE OF THE CONTRIBUTION.
SPRI
$20,000GENERAL FUNDING
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$20,000GENERAL FUNDING
ON 11/16/2023, THE FOUNDATION DONATED 57 SHS OF DIA WITH A BOOK VALUE OF $350.02 TO HELP FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAM SERVICES. VALUATIONS ARE BASED ON THE AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW SHARE PRICE ON THE DATE OF THE CONTRIBUTION.
VAIL VALLEY VETERANS
$12,500GENERAL FUNDING
GUARDIAN SCHOLARS
$12,235ON 11/16/2023, THE FOUNDATION DONATED 34 SHS OF BRKB WITH A BOOK VALUE OF $359.86 TO HELP FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAM SERVICES. VALUATIONS ARE BASED ON THE AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW SHARE PRICE ON THE DATE OF THE CONTRIBUTION.
ON 12/5/2023, THE FOUNDATION DONATED 29 SHS OF DIA WITH A BOOK VALUE OF $361.91 TO HELP FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAM SERVICES. VALUATIONS ARE BASED ON THE AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW SHARE PRICE ON THE DATE OF THE CONTRIBUTION.
ON 11/16/2023, THE FOUNDATION DONATED 29 SHS OF DIA WITH A BOOK VALUE OF $350.02 TO HELP FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAM SERVICES. VALUATIONS ARE BASED ON THE AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW SHARE PRICE ON THE DATE OF THE CONTRIBUTION.
PPRM
$5,000GENERAL FUNDING
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
$2,500GENERAL FUNDING