FundersWisconsin

Helios Foundation

Neenah, WI · EIN 39-1532106. Reported 358 grants totalling $3,515,000 to 187 organizations across tax years 2020-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.

Yesaccepts unsolicited requests
$5,000median grant
$3,515,000granted, 2020-2024
187organizations funded
51%of grantees funded again the next year
$14.1Massets, latest filing

Does this foundation accept applications?

Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Helios Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.

This is the foundation's own statement to the IRS, not our judgement, and it says nothing about whether they have a form, a deadline, or an appetite for new grantees. Treat it as the reason this foundation is worth your research time, not as an invitation. Many small foundations of this kind have no website and no application process -- a letter of inquiry is the normal first step.

How big are its grants?

The median grant is $5,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $5,000 and $10,000; the smallest was $500 and the largest $290,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.

Under $1,000
1 grant
$1,000 - $5,000
85 grants
$5,000 - $10,000
142 grants
$10,000 - $25,000
101 grants
$25,000 - $50,000
22 grants
$50,000 - $100,000
5 grants
$100,000 and Up
2 grants

Every organization it funded

This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.

OrganizationLocationTotal receivedGrantsYears fundedLast
Center for Process StudiesPortland, OR$390,000222024
Institute for Ecological CivilizationSan Diego, CA$100,000422023
Process Studies InternationalPortland, OR$95,000112022
Union of Concerned ScientistsCambridge, MA$90,000552024
United Way of SiouxlandSioux City, IA$75,000552024
Animal Rescue League of BostonBoston, MA$70,000552024
Claremont School of TheologyClaremont, CA$62,500112020
Trees Water & PeopleFort Collins, CO$60,000442024
Groton Open Space AssociationGroton, CT$59,000552024
Siouxland Cares About Substance AbuseSioux City, IA$55,000442023
Child & Family Agency of Se CtNew London, CT$50,000222024
Child & Family Agency of Southeastern ConnecticutNew London, CT$50,000112020
Mystic & Noank LibraryMystic, CT$50,000222024
Mystic Seaport Museum IncMystic, CT$50,000222023
Rosecrance FoundationRockford, IL$50,000112022
Farm AidCambridge, MA$48,000552024
Minnesota Public RadioSt Paul, MN$45,000552024
The Hunger CoalitionBellevue, ID$40,000442024
Wood River Land TrustHailey, ID$40,000442024
New London Homeless Hospitality CenterNew London, CT$37,500222023
Mountain Roots Food ProjectGunnison, CO$36,500552024
Ocean Community YMCA-Naik Family BranchMystic, CT$35,000212022
The AdvocatesHailey, ID$35,000552024
Crested Butte Land TrustCrested Butte, CO$32,500442024
Project OceanologyGroton, CT$30,000222021
Safe Futures IncNew London, CT$30,000222023
The Constellation FundMinneapolis, MN$30,000442024
The Warming ShelterSioux City, IA$30,000112020
UnicefNew York, NY$30,000212021
West Seattle Food BankSeattle, WA$30,000332022
World Learning IncBrattleboro, VT$30,000222024
Mary's PlaceSeattle, WA$27,500332022
Boys & Girls Club of Siouxland IncSioux City, IA$25,000112023
Boys & Girls Home & Family ServicesSioux City, IA$25,000112024
Boys and Girls HomeSioux City, IA$25,000112021
Briar Cliff UniversitySioux City, IA$25,000112021
Catholic CharitiesGreen Bay, WI$25,000112024
Community Foundation of Eastern ConnecticutNew London, CT$25,000112022
Cradles to CrayonsNewton, MA$25,000222021
Friends of Sarnelli House UaMilwaukee, WI$25,000222022
Mary J Treglia Community HouseSioux City, IA$25,000112021
Pando Populus IncLos Angeles, CA$25,000112020
Planned Parenthood of Southern New EnglandNew Haven, CT$25,000112021
Siouxland Habitat for HumanitySioux City, IA$25,000112023
Thames Valley Council for Comm ArtsJewett City, CT$25,000112024
Henry L Ferguson MuseumFishers Island, NY$24,000552024
Imagine ScholarRedmond, WA$24,000442024
Sun Valley Community SchoolSun Valley, ID$24,000852024
Empowers Africa IncNew York, NY$23,000552024
The Nature ConservancyProvidence, RI$23,000552024
Watch Hill ConservancyWatch Hill, RI$23,000552024
Solomon Schechter Day SchoolNewton, MA$22,000552024
Center for the ArtsCrested Butte, CO$20,500332022
Arch Community Housing TrustKetchum, ID$20,000222023
Avalonia Land ConservancyOld Mystic, CT$20,000112022
Crittenton CenterSioux City, IA$20,000112023
Living JourneysCrested Butte, CO$20,000442024
Minneapolis Institute of ArtsMinneapolis, MN$20,000442024
Savannah Science Museum IncSavannah, GA$20,000442024
Save the ChildrenFairfield, CT$20,000222023
TreehouseSeattle, WA$20,000332022
Walker Art CenterMinneapolis, MN$20,000442024
World Central Kitchen IncWashington, DC$20,000442024
Congregation Kehillath IsraelBrookline, MA$18,000552024
CASA MyrnaBoston, MA$16,000552024
Center for the Arts Crested ButteCrested Butte, CO$16,000222024
Victory Programs IncBoston, MA$16,000552024
Always HomeMystic, CT$15,000112022
AmericaresStamford, CT$15,000112021
Blaine County Education FoundationHailey, ID$15,000222024
Comm Action Agency of SiouxlandSioux City, IA$15,000112024
Denison Pequotsepos Nature CenterMystic, CT$15,000222024
Mary J Treglia Comm HouseSioux City, IA$15,000112024
Neenah Animal ShelterNeenah, WI$15,000442024
Northeast Wi Land TrustAppleton, WI$15,000432024
Senior ConnectionHailey, ID$15,000332023
Southeast Soccer ClubWaterford, CT$15,000222024
Cultural Heritage ImagingSan Francisco, CA$13,000332022
Hennepin Theatre TrustMinneapolis, MN$12,000442023
Westside SchoolSeattle, WA$12,000332022
High Country Conservation AdvocatesCrested Butte, CO$11,000222023
Simpson Housing ServicesMinneapolis, MN$10,500332024
Alliance for LivingNew London, CT$10,000112022
Alliance of IdahoBellevue, ID$10,000112023
Bike GrotonWest Mystic, CT$10,000112021
Camp High HopesSioux City, IA$10,000112020
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Sioux CitySioux City, IA$10,000112022
Children's Theatre Company and SchoolMinneapolis, MN$10,000222021
Clean Air Task ForceBoston, MA$10,000112021
Community Action Agency of SiouxlandSioux City, IA$10,000112022
Cure Alzheimer's FundWellesley Hills, MA$10,000112024
Doctors Without BordersNew York, NY$10,000112024
Food Bank of Siouxland IncSioux City, IA$10,000112020
Friends of the MajesticCrested Butte, CO$10,000222022
Habitat for Humanity of Eastern ConnecticutNew London, CT$10,000112021
I Have a Dream FoundationHailey, ID$10,000112022
Liberty Theatre CoHailey, ID$10,000112024
Lutheran Church of the Good ShepardRockford, IL$10,000112023
Lutheran Services in IowaSioux City, IA$10,000112022
Lutheran Social Services in IowaDes Moines, IA$10,000112024
Maps (multidisciplinary Assoc for Psychedelic Studies)San Jose, CA$10,000112021
Mary Elizabeth Child Care Center & PreschoolSioux City, IA$10,000112020
Mennonite Central CommitteeAkron, PA$10,000112022
Mystic Museum of ArtMystic, CT$10,000112021
New London Community Meal CenterNew London, CT$10,000112021
Noank Community Support ServicesGroton, CT$10,000112022
Planned Parenthood Federation of America IncWashington, DC$10,000112022
Planned Parenthood of Southern NeNew Haven, CT$10,000112024
Sanford CenterSioux City, IA$10,000112023
Second Harvest HeartlandBrooklyn Park, MN$10,000222022
St Lukes Wood River FoundationKetchum, ID$10,000112023
St Stephen's Human Services (house of Charity)Minneapolis, MN$10,000112021
Sun Valley Pac (argyos)Ketchum, ID$10,000112024
Women AwareSioux City, IA$9,000112020
Gunnison Country Food PantryGunnison, CO$8,000222024
180 DegreesSt Paul, MN$7,500332024
Feeding America Eastern WisconsinAppleton, WI$7,500222021
PillarsAppleton, WI$7,500332024
Rotarun Ski ClubHailey, ID$7,500222024
The Space Idaho IncHailey, ID$7,500222024
Totem StarSeattle, WA$7,500112021
Slo Food BankSan Luis Obispo, CA$7,000332024
Imagine ScholarPortland, OR$6,500112020
The Crisis HotlineKetchum, ID$6,000112023
A Sacred PlaceNiantic, CT$5,000112023
Asian Counseling & Referral ServiceSeattle, WA$5,000112024
Blaine County Charitable FundHailey, ID$5,000112023
Burke Ctr for Ecosystem ResearchAshland, WI$5,000112024
Camp Rainbow GoldBoise, ID$5,000112023
CotsAppleton, WI$5,000222022
Doctors Without BordersHagerstown, MD$5,000112021
Feeding America - Eastern WiAppleton, WI$5,000112024
Green MinneapolisMinneapolis, MN$5,000112022
Groton Human ServicesGroton, CT$5,000112024
Haitian Health FoundationNorwich, CT$5,000112023
Idea WildFort Collins, CO$5,000112021
Immigration Advocacy & Support CtrNew London, CT$5,000112024
Integrated Refugee & Immigration ServicesNew Haven, CT$5,000112024
Juxtaposition ArtsMinneapolis, MN$5,000112020
Kbut Community RadioCrested Butte, CO$5,000112022
Lamb Arts Ltd (lamb Theatre)Sioux City, IA$5,000112024
Lamb Arts Regional TheatreSioux City, IA$5,000112020
Leukemia & Lymphoma SocietyNew York, NY$5,000112021
Liberty Theatre CompanyHailey, ID$5,000112021
Lyman Allyn MuseumNew London, CT$5,000112022
Mystic River Historical SocietyMystic, CT$5,000112023
NAMI Wood River ValleyHailey, ID$5,000112020
New College FoundationSarasota, FL$5,000112021
Pro-Choice Mn FoundationSt Paul, MN$5,000112022
Rebuilding Together Fox ValleyAppleton, WI$5,000222022
Save the SoundNew Haven, CT$5,000112024
Sonoran InstituteTucson, AZ$5,000112023
Spur Community FoundationKetchum, ID$5,000112021
St Vincent De Paul Homeless ShelterSalt Lake City, UT$5,000112021
Swiftsure RanchBellevue, ID$5,000112020
Thames River Community Service IncNorwich, CT$5,000112023
Three Rivers Park District FndtnPlymouth, MN$5,000112024
Trout UnlimitedWooly Bugger, WV$5,000112020
US Ukraine FoundationFalls Church, VA$5,000112021
Volunteers Enlisted to Assist PeopleBloomington, MN$5,000112023
Harvest Hope Food BankColumbia, SC$4,500222023
Guthrie Theater FoundationMinneapolis, MN$4,000112020
Edina Give and GoEdina, MN$3,000222024
Heart of the House FoundationMinneapolis, MN$3,000112020
PetaNorfolk, VA$3,000112020
Whatcom Community FoundationBellingham, WA$3,000112020
Cap Services IncStevens Point, WI$2,500112021
Catawba Lands ConservancyCharlotte, NC$2,500112024
Christine Ann Domestic Abuse ServicesOshkosh, WI$2,500112023
Community Speaks OutGroton, CT$2,500112023
Fvtc Foundation IncAppleton, WI$2,500112022
Journey Together Service Dog IncOshkosh, WI$2,500112022
Northern VoicesRoseville, MN$2,500112023
NowzadFrisco, TX$2,500112023
Ronald Mcdonald HouseMinneapolis, MN$2,500112021
Sea Turtle ConservancyGainesville, FL$2,500112024
Spot Sun Valley IncKetchum, ID$2,500112024
Thedacare Family of FoundationsAppleton, WI$2,500112024
University of Minnesota FoundationMinneapolis, MN$2,500112021
Valley Vna Senior CareNeenah, WI$2,500112021
Carolina Wildlife CenterColumbia, SC$2,000112021
Community Clothes ClosetMenasha, WI$2,000112020
Congaree Land TrustColumbia, SC$2,000112022
Eco Slo (environmental Center of San Luis Obispo)San Luis Obispo, CA$2,000112021
Her Next PlayMinneapolis, MN$2,000112021
St Thomas Episcopal ChurchSioux City, IA$1,000112020
Edina Sting Baseball ClubEdina, MN$500112023

72 of 187 (39%) received money in more than one year over the 5 years we hold.

Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 51%, across 4 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.

What the money was for

Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.

What kind of organizations it funds

By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 252 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.

Arts & Culture
40 grants
Education
33 grants
Human Services
32 grants
Environment
31 grants
Food & Nutrition
21 grants
International Affairs
17 grants
Animal Welfare
13 grants
Philanthropy & Grantmaking
13 grants

Giving by year

Tax yearGrantsTotalMedian grant
202063$525,000$5,000
202181$720,000$5,000
202274$690,000$5,000
202370$890,000$5,000
202470$690,000$5,000

Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.

Where its money goes

Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 19% of this one's giving went to organizations in Connecticut. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.

Connecticut
$684K
Oregon
$492K
Iowa
$460K
Massachusetts
$325K
Idaho
$292K
Colorado
$224K
Minnesota
$220K
California
$220K

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Funders that support the same organizations

These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.

Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund99 shared recipientsDonor Advised Charitable Giving Inc90 shared recipientsVanguard Charitable Endowment Program70 shared recipientsAmerican Online Giving Foundation Inc67 shared recipientsNational Philanthropic Trust61 shared recipientsAmerican Endowment Foundation43 shared recipients

How to approach this foundation

  1. Check you are its size. The median grant is $5,000. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
  2. Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Connecticut.
  3. Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
  4. Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.

Related guides

Foundations funding education in ConnecticutEvery funder in this group, ranked

Where these numbers come from

Everything above is taken from Helios Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 5 returns (tax years 2020-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.

Address of record on the latest return: 40 Jewelers Park Ste 200 Po Box 6, Neenah, WI, 54957. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.

EIN 39-1532106 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this

This is history, not an open call. Foundation returns are published about a year after the tax year ends. Nothing on this page is a deadline. It is a record of who this foundation has actually funded, which is the best available predictor of who it will fund next -- and a much better basis for deciding whether to write to them than a mission statement.

Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email [email protected] and we will correct it.