SOURCE OF WEALTH: CIVC Partners
FUNDING AREAS: Education & Youth, Health & Human Services, Arts & Culture, TBD
OVERVIEW: Daniel and Cynthia Helle move philanthropy through the Helle Family Foundation. According to available tax filings, the foundation around $260,000 in grants in 2017. The couple keep a rather low profile and don’t seem to be big on racking up board memberships. Interests include education and health.
BACKGROUND: Daniel G. Helle graduated with a B.S. in finance from Western Illinois University and an M.S. in finance from the University of Illinois. He worked at Citicorp Leveraged Capital and at Continental Bank. Helle joined CIVC Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm, in 1989 and has served as a partner since 1992.
ISSUES:
EDUCATION & YOUTH: The couple have supported Arrupe College, Evans Scholars Foundation, East Village Youth Program, University of Illinois Foundation, and University of Michigan. They’re also interested in Chicago area charters and have supported Providence Englewood Charter School.
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES: Grantees have included Northwestern Brain Tumor Institute, American Red Cross, and The Josselyn Center, a mental health clinic.
ARTS & CULTURE: The couple have supported Joffrey Ballet.
OTHER: Support has gone to Cato Institute recently, as well as Africa New Life, which aims to “break the cycle of poverty in Rwanda by providing education, spiritual insight and basic necessities.” The couple direct funds to an outfit called the Helle Charitable Fund, though information on the fund is hard to come by.
LOOKING FORWARD: The couple’s still-new family foundation should be watched for greater giving. Perhaps the couple will dig deeper into some of their interest areas, including charter schools and education reform.
CONTACT:
The Helle Family Foundation does not provide a clear avenue of contact but below is an address:
Helle Family Foundation
315 Essex Road
Kenilworth, IL 60043
(312) 873-7370
