The Illinois State Capitol

Form 990-PFTax year 2025EIN 54-2135918

Helen's Hope Foundation

A private foundation in West Chicago, IL. Its return for tax year 2025 lists 28 grants and $1.2 million paid in grants.

Tax year 2025 (period ending Dec 31, 2025), read from the IRS e-file on Nov 11, 2026. Returns reach the IRS 5 to 18 months after the year they describe.

How to apply

Preselected only

The return checks the box saying the foundation gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets and giving by year

8 returns on file
Grants paid by tax year. The latest year is in blue.
  • Tax year 2025

    $1,194,500

    Grants listed
    28
    Assets, end of year
    $76,423
  • Tax year 2024

    $1,547,500

    Grants listed
    31
    Assets, end of year
    $657,440
  • Tax year 2023

    $1,117,325

    Grants listed
    30
    Assets, end of year
    $1,447,705
  • Tax year 2022

    $1,135,000

    Grants listed
    35
    Assets, end of year
    $1,910,763
  • Tax year 2021

    $574,000

    Grants listed
    19
    Assets, end of year
    $2,363,393
  • Tax year 2020

    $515,805

    Grants listed
    15
    Assets, end of year
    $1,563,345
  • Tax year 2019

    $644,821

    Grants listed
    24
    Assets, end of year
    $347,314
  • Tax year 2018

    $703,043

    Grants listed
    24
    Assets, end of year
    $371,282

Grants paid in 2025

28 grants, largest first

As listed on the return.

  1. Wheaton AcademyWest Chicago, IL

    Education

    $300,000
  2. Wheaton Christian Grammar SchoolWinfield, IL

    Education

    $250,000
  3. Crossroads Kids ClubBartlett, IL

    Ministry

    $128,000
  4. MedsendStantford, CT

    Healthcare

    $100,000
  5. St Augustine Prep AcademyMilwaukee, WI

    Christian education

    $100,000
  6. Warrior Youth AthleticsWest Chicago, IL

    Christian athletics

    $50,000
  7. Vine BranchWest Chicago, IL

    Ministry

    $35,000
  8. Fellowship for the Performing ArtsNew York, NY

    Ministry

    $25,000
  9. Naomi's HouseWheaton, IL

    Women support

    $25,000
  10. Masterpiece MinistriesLebanon, TN

    Ministry

    $20,000
  11. Chosen People MinistriesNew York, NY

    Ministry

    $17,500
  12. Flourish RwandaRiver Forest, IL

    Humanitarian aid

    $16,000
  13. Administer JusticeElgin, IL

    Ministry

    $15,000
  14. Cru FoundationOrlando, FL

    Ministry

    $15,000
  15. PioneersOrlando, FL

    Ministry

    $15,000
  16. By the Hand ClubChicago, IL

    Education

    $13,000
  17. Evangel ChurchHanover Park, IL

    Ministry

    $10,000
  18. One for IsrealColleyville, TX

    Ministry

    $10,000
  19. Faith & Learning InternationalWheaton, IL

    Education

    $7,500
  20. Irish Bible InstituteMountjoy, Ireland

    Ministry

    $7,500
  21. Metropolitan Family ServicesWheaton, IL

    Domestic abuse

    $6,000
  22. Philemon HouseWest Chicago, IL

    Convert the incarcerated

    $6,000
  23. Hillsdale CollegeHillsdale, MI

    Education

    $5,000
  24. Mission LazarusNashville, TN

    Ministry

    $5,000
  25. World ReliefBaltimore, MD

    Christian humanitarian aid

    $5,000
  26. Middle East MinistriesBrentwood, TN

    Ministry

    $3,000
  27. Courtside MinistriesChicago, IL

    Ministry

    $2,500
  28. CS Lewis InstituteSpringfield, VA

    Ministry

    $2,500

Where the money goes

By cause: grants to organizations we matched to the IRS list of exempt organizations, by their category.

  1. Education4 grants $557,50072% of the total
  2. Youth development1 grant $128,00016% of the total
  3. Arts and culture2 grants $45,0006% of the total
  4. Religion2 grants $17,5002% of the total
  5. Community development1 grant $16,0002% of the total
  6. International aid2 grants $8,0001% of the total
  7. 1 other causes1 grant $6,000<1% of the total

By State

Grants to organizations with a US address, latest year.

  1. Illinois14 grants $864,000
  2. Connecticut1 grant $100,000
  3. Wisconsin1 grant $100,000
  4. New York2 grants $42,500
  5. Florida2 grants $30,000
  6. Tennessee2 grants $25,000
  7. Texas1 grant $10,000
  8. Maryland1 grant $5,000
  9. Michigan1 grant $5,000
  10. South Carolina1 grant $3,000

Officers, directors and trustees

4 people as filed

As filed on the return, with average hours per week and pay from the foundation.

  • Benard B BertscheTRUSTEE Hours 1Pay $0
  • Jeanne BertscheTRUSTEE Hours 0Pay $0
  • Michael BertscheTRUSTEE Hours 0Pay $0
  • Patrick BertscheTRUSTEE Hours 0Pay $0

The return

More foundations

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Same main cause (education), giving between a quarter and four times this foundation’s where possible, nearby first.

  1. Harold M & Adeline S Morrison Family FoundationChicago, IL 87 grants Preselected only $1,196,000 giving
  2. Knight Family FoundationChicago, IL 15 grants Preselected only $1,200,000 giving
  3. Ea Mellinger Educational Foundation IncMonmouth, IL 582 grants Accepts applications $1,188,578 giving
  4. Russell and Betty Shirk FoundationBloomington, IL 18 grants Accepts applications $1,204,241 giving
  5. Beatrice B Tinsley Perpetual Charitable TrustChicago, IL 4 grants Preselected only $1,183,510 giving