The Heller Family Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $161,253 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (preselected organizations)
• Grant Range: Varies by program area
• Geographic Focus: Primarily New Jersey; also Florida and New York
• Total Assets: $7,028,300 (2023)

Contact Details

Address: Tenafly/Englewood Cliffs, NJ
EIN: 22-3556325

Note: No public website, email, or phone number available. The foundation does not maintain a public-facing application portal.

Overview

The Heller Family Foundation Inc was established in 1998 as a private family foundation serving New Jersey and surrounding communities. Led by President Ronald Heller and Treasurer Joyce L. Heller, the foundation maintains total assets of approximately $7,028,300 and distributes charitable contributions to preselected organizations. The foundation focuses its grantmaking on four primary areas: education (from elementary through college levels), health initiatives, religious organizations, and general charitable causes supporting those in need. As a private non-operating foundation, it operates through trustee discretion, funding preselected organizations rather than accepting public applications. Based on recent 990-PF records, the foundation has made grants to organizations in New Jersey, Florida, and New York.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with specific names or fixed amounts. Instead, it makes discretionary grants across multiple priority areas.

Application Method: Invitation only/preselected organizations

Priority Areas

Based on IRS filings and organizational records, the foundation actively funds:

• Education: Elementary, secondary, and college-level educational programs and institutions
• Health: Health-related organizations and initiatives addressing community health needs
• Religious Organizations: Support for religious institutions and faith-based charitable work
• Social Services: Organizations serving the needy and vulnerable populations
• General Charitable Causes: Broad support for 501(c)(3) organizations aligned with trustee interests

What They Don't Fund

• Unsolicited Applications: The foundation explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds
• Organizations outside the trustees' existing network or areas of interest

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a small board of family members and trusted advisors:

• Ronald Heller - President and primary decision-maker
• Joyce L. Heller - Treasurer
• Rachel Scott - Board Member
• Lawrence Kupferberg - Board Member

The foundation operates with a lean structure, maintaining low overhead costs relative to its asset base. Board members appear to take a hands-on approach to grantmaking decisions, personally selecting organizations to support based on their knowledge of community needs and organizational effectiveness.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Heller Family Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees, who identify and select recipient organizations based on their own research, relationships, and knowledge of community needs. The foundation operates as a traditional private family foundation where grantmaking decisions are made internally by board members.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made on a rolling basis throughout the year to preselected organizations.

Success Rates

Not applicable for unsolicited applications, as none are accepted.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations cannot submit applications or reapplications.

Application Success Factors

Note: Since this foundation does not accept applications, the following reflects how organizations appear to have come to the foundation's attention based on publicly available information:

• Existing Relationships: The foundation supports organizations already known to the trustees through personal, professional, or community connections
• Geographic Proximity: Based on recent 990-PF records, the foundation has supported organizations in New Jersey, Florida, and New York
• Clear Charitable Purpose: Organizations with straightforward missions in education, health, religion, or social services
• Established Track Record: Preference appears to be for established organizations rather than startup initiatives
• Alignment with Trustee Interests: Organizations working in areas of personal importance to the Heller family (education, health, religious causes, and support for the needy)

Organizations seeking support would need to be introduced to the trustees through existing connections or come to their attention through community involvement and visibility in the foundation's geographic areas of interest.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept grant proposals or unsolicited requests, making traditional grant writing approaches ineffective
• Relationship-Driven: Support flows to organizations already known to the trustees through personal or community connections
• Consistent Grantmaking: The foundation maintains steady charitable giving to preselected organizations
• Broad Charitable Focus: While centered on education, health, religious, and social service organizations, the foundation supports a range of causes
• Private Family Foundation Model: Decision-making rests entirely with family trustees who personally select recipients
• Geographic Focus: Based on recent 990-PF records, the foundation has supported organizations in New Jersey, Florida, and New York
• Financial Stability: With over $7 million in assets, the foundation has the capacity to maintain its grantmaking over time

References

• The Heller Family Foundation Inc - ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
• The Heller Family Foundation Inc - Charity Navigator
• The Heller Family Foundation - Cause IQ
• The Heller Family Foundation Inc - Instrumentl
• Grantmakers.io Profile - Heller Family Foundation Inc

Accessed: December 24, 2024