The Helis Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2.4-2.5M
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed (rolling basis)
• Grant Range: $500 - $766,000
• Median Grant: $10,000
• Average Grant: $39,836
• Geographic Focus: Metropolitan New Orleans area

Contact Details

Address: 201 Saint Charles Avenue, Suite 2600, New Orleans, Louisiana 70170

Phone: 504-523-1831

Email: info@thehelisfoundation.org

Website: www.thehelisfoundation.org

Managing Director: Jessie Schott Haynes

Overview

The Helis Foundation is a Louisiana private foundation established and funded by the William Helis Family in 1955. With assets of approximately $82.4 million, the foundation distributes approximately $2.4-2.5 million annually through 61-67 grants. The foundation's resources and objectives are divided into two main areas: the General Fund, which focuses on community needs primarily within the Metropolitan New Orleans area by granting funds to numerous local nonprofit organizations in areas such as health, human services, education, youth development, crime prevention, and community development; and the Diana Helis Henry and Adrienne Helis Malvin Art Funds, which were established by bequests from Diana Helis Henry and Adrienne Helis Malvin and funded exclusively by their personal resources upon their deaths. The Art Funds make grants to sustain operations, provide free admission to, and acquire significant artworks on behalf of institutions within the Metropolitan New Orleans area. The foundation has become a leading champion of arts accessibility in New Orleans, underwriting major public art initiatives and ensuring community access to the city's rich cultural heritage.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Art Funds (Diana Helis Henry and Adrienne Helis Malvin Art Funds)

• Grants to sustain operations of art museums and cultural institutions
• Free admission programs for Louisiana residents
• Art acquisition grants for significant artworks
• Support for major exhibitions and public art projects
• The Helis Foundation Art Prize: $5,000 unrestricted grant awarded annually through Louisiana Contemporary exhibition
• Application method: Rolling basis for 501(c)3 organizations

General Fund

• Community needs grants within Metropolitan New Orleans area
• Grant range: $500 - $766,000 (median $10,000, average $39,836)
• Application method: Rolling basis for 501(c)3 organizations

Priority Areas

Arts & Culture:

• Art museums (primary focus)
• Public art installations and exhibitions
• Free admission programs for Louisiana residents
• Artist support and development
• Curatorial education and professional development

Health & Human Services:

• General health services
• Diseases and disorders programs

Community Development:

• Youth development programs
• Education (elementary and secondary)
• Community and economic development
• Crime prevention initiatives
• Disaster relief
• Biodiversity conservation

What They Don't Fund

According to their Form 990 filings, there are no explicit restrictions or limitations on awards except that the organization must be qualified as provided for under the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations as a 501(c)3 organization. However, geographic focus is limited primarily to the Metropolitan New Orleans area.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

• David A. Kerstein - President
• Michael F. Schott - Vice President
• Linda A. Reeg - Secretary
• Jane C. Fiegler - Treasurer

All board members serve without compensation.

Staff

• Jessie Schott Haynes - Managing Director: Oversees all aspects of the foundation's grantmaking cycle and manages all current philanthropic projects.

Leadership Perspectives

Jessie Schott Haynes has articulated the foundation's philosophy in several public statements:

On the foundation's mission: "The Helis Foundation believes ensuring community access to art of all disciplines is critical."

On New Orleans arts and culture: "It's exciting to witness the energetic efforts of our arts leaders as we work to ensure that arts opportunities in New Orleans are diverse and innovative."

On adaptability: "Change is the only constant and adaptability to and acceptance of this fact is survival."

On New Orleans: "New Orleans is a city of constant reinvention and rebirth."

Haynes describes her role as "the incredibly unique opportunity to marry my Art History background, which is and always has been my first, life­long passion, with my training as an attorney."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Helis Foundation accepts funding requests from 501(c)3 organizations on a rolling basis.

Application Requirements:

• Letter of inquiry or brief proposal in appropriate typed letter form
• Qualifications of key personnel
• Descriptive literature about organization
• Additional materials/documentation establishing qualifications to receive funds from a private foundation as provided for under the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations
• Review the foundation's website thoroughly prior to inquiring regarding funding

Submission: Direct all inquiries to info@thehelisfoundation.org

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The foundation operates on a rolling basis for grant applications. For time-sensitive programs like the Louisiana Culture Care Fund (an emergency relief program), applications were reviewed on a rolling basis to provide funds as quickly as possible.

Success Rates

Specific success rates and application-to-award ratios are not publicly available. In recent years, the foundation has made:

• 2024: 61 grants
• 2022: 67 grants
• 2021: 49 grants
• 2020: 54 grants

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not explicitly stated in publicly available materials. Many organizations receive ongoing support from the foundation, suggesting that successful grantees can reapply and receive multi-year funding.

Application Success Factors

Based on analysis of recent grants and the foundation's stated priorities, successful applications demonstrate:

Strong alignment with New Orleans arts and cultural ecosystem: The foundation's largest grants consistently go to major New Orleans arts institutions including The Ogden Museum of Southern Art ($766K in 2022) and New Orleans Museum of Art ($252K in 2022). These partnerships are long-term and strategic, focusing on operational sustainability and community access.

Community access and public benefit: The foundation prioritizes programs that provide free admission and broad public access. Their "Art for All" initiative provides free admission for all Louisiana residents at leading local institutions every week, year-round: NOMA and New Orleans Botanical Garden every Wednesday, Ogden Museum every Thursday.

Support for Louisiana artists: Through Louisiana Contemporary exhibition and The Helis Foundation Art Prize ($5,000 unrestricted grant), the foundation demonstrates commitment to supporting individual artists living in Louisiana.

Alignment with foundation's dual structure: Understanding whether your organization aligns with the Art Funds (arts institutions in Metropolitan New Orleans) or General Fund (broader community needs including health, human services, education, youth development, crime prevention) is critical.

Operational excellence and sustainability: Major grants support general operating expenses, suggesting the foundation values institutional stability and sustainable operations over short-term projects.

Innovation and cultural vibrancy: As Managing Director Jessie Schott Haynes states, the foundation is excited to see "arts opportunities in New Orleans are diverse and innovative," suggesting they value creative programming and fresh approaches.

Established presence in Metropolitan New Orleans area: Geographic focus is clearly limited to Metropolitan New Orleans, with emphasis on major institutions and organizations with strong track records.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic focus is non-negotiable: The foundation exclusively funds Metropolitan New Orleans area organizations. Do not apply if outside this region.
• Two distinct funding streams: Understand whether you fit the Art Funds (arts institutions only) or General Fund (broader community needs) before applying.
• Relationship-based grantmaking: Major grants go to established New Orleans institutions with ongoing relationships. Building long-term relationships appears more valuable than one-time project proposals.
• Community access is central to arts funding: If applying for arts funding, demonstrate how your organization provides broad public access, particularly for Louisiana residents and underserved communities.
• Rolling basis provides flexibility: With no fixed deadlines, organizations can apply when ready, but should still plan strategically and reach out well in advance of funding needs.
• Range of grant sizes: From $500 to $766,000 with median at $10,000, the foundation funds both small grassroots efforts and major institutional support. Tailor ask to organizational size and project scope.
• Review 990 forms for competitive intelligence: The foundation's Form 990-PF filings (available through ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer) list all grant recipients and amounts, providing valuable insight into funding patterns and priorities.

References

• The Helis Foundation official website, www.thehelisfoundation.org (accessed January 2026)
• Cause IQ profile: "The Helis Foundation | New Orleans, LA" - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/helis-foundation,726020536/ (accessed January 2026)
• Foundation Directory Online (Candid): "Helis Foundation | Foundation Directory" - https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=HELI001 (accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: "Helis Foundation" - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/726020536 (accessed January 2026)
• GuideStar profile: "Helis Foundation" - https://www.guidestar.org/profile/72-6020536 (accessed January 2026)
• Grantmakers.io: "Helis Foundation" - https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/726020536-helis-foundation/ (accessed January 2026)
• NOLA Adore: "A-List 2020: Jessie Schott Haynes" - https://www.nolaadore.com/society/the_a_list/a-list-2020-jessie-schott-haynes/article_fb44f24c-e7b6-11ea-8a3c-77c1c99fa1c8.html (accessed January 2026)
• The Helis Foundation: "The Helis Foundation Managing Director, Jessie Haynes, on Steppin' Out- WYES" - https://www.thehelisfoundation.org/post/the-helis-foundation-managing-director-jessie-haynes-on-steppin-out-wyes (accessed January 2026)
• Ogden Museum of Southern Art: "Louisiana Contemporary, Presented by The Helis Foundation" - https://ogdenmuseum.org/laccallforentries/ (accessed January 2026)
• Form 990-PF tax filings (2020-2024) accessed through ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and other nonprofit databases