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Hees Family Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Hees Family Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it accepted unsolicited grant applications.

$111k
Granted FY2025still arriving
25
Grants FY2025still arriving
5
States reached
$25k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2025.

Education$93kPhilanthropy$87kHuman Services$50kHousing & Shelter$34kHealth$32kEnvironment$28kAnimals$21kRecreation & Sports$16kOther$0
02FY2025 · 25 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k21 grants · $48k
  • $10k–50k4 grants · $63k
$2,000
Median grant
5
States reached
$1.5M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
OTSEGO COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION$24,500
MACKENZIE'S ANIMAL SANCTUARY$15,000
CRAWFORD AUSABLE EDUCATION EXCELLENCE$12,500
CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY$11,000
NEXT STEP FOR LIFE INC$8,000
ELECTRIC LODGE$7,000
413 STRONG$5,000
LAZARUS HOUSE$3,500
TENNESSEE STATE PARKS CONSERVANCY$3,000
DOYLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT$2,500
ISAIAH 117 HOUSE$2,500
VAN BUREN CO HISTORICAL SOCIETY$2,500
THE DREAM CENTER$2,000
THE REFUGE OF EASTERN NC$2,000
AIDNET OF GREENE COUNTY$1,750
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY18–25, $41k) land where the poverty rate runs at 18%, against an area that typically sits at 11%. 91% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 11%AMERICAN RED CROSS: $4k → 14%NEXT STEP FOR LIFE INC: $8k → 19%LAZARUS HOUSE: $4k → 8%NEXT STEP FOR LIFE INC: $7k → 19%NEXT STEP FOR LIFE INC: $4k → 19%NEXT STEP FOR LIFE INC: $4k → 19%NEXT STEP FOR LIFE INC: $4k → 19%NEXT STEP FOR LIFE INC: $3k → 19%NEXT STEP FOR LIFE INC: $3k → 19%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

WA
IL
MI
CA
MO
TN
NC
DC
TX
FL
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

60%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$202k · 27 repeat orgs$135k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +36% since the first grant, against +25% for those funded once.

27 repeat relationships: 11 still active in FY2025, 16 since wound down; 13 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

27
27

Total granted

$202k
$80k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+36%
+25%

Still filing today

33%
59%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 37% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $55k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Human ServicesEducationHealthArts & CultureHousing & ShelterYouth DevelopmentOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • NS
    NEXT STEP FOR LIFE INC
    7× · 2019–2025 · $33k · revenue +125%
  • KC
    KIRTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
    2× · 2023–2024 · $22k · revenue +109%
  • HF
    HILARITY FOR CHARITY INC
    2× · 2023–2024 · $14k · revenue +36%

Funded once

  • TN
    THE NAZARENE FUND
    one grant, 2021 · $12k · revenue -92%
  • MH
    MUNFORD HEALTHCARE FOUNDATIONS
    one grant, 2019 · $8k
  • AA
    AuSable Artisan Village
    one grant, 2024 · $7k · revenue +8%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Rahab House

Rahab House is deeply committed to the rescue, refuge, and restoration of human trafficking survivors. We provide comprehensive support that encompasses immediate safety and connections to long-term restorative care in alignment with the…

Human Services
2
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area Inc

Habitat for humanity of greater chattanooga (hfh-gc) brings together businesses, churches, and other community organizations in partnership with low income families to spark authentic transformation in our city through the construction of…

Housing & Shelter
3
Habitat for Humanity Williamson -Maury

Habitat for humanity of williamson-maury (hfhwm) seeks to put god's love into action by partnering with communites to build affordable housing, inspiring hope and life-changing stability for families through homeownership.

—
4
Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity

To advocate on behalf of those in need of decent shelter by building and renovating affordable houses.

Housing & Shelter
5
Habitat for Humanity of the Lexington North Carolina Area Inc

Create decent, affordable housing for those in need, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience with people everywhere.

Housing & Shelter
6
Habitat for Humanity Cabarrus County

Guided by God, Habitat Cabarrus transforms lives and our community by uniting all of Cabarrus County around the cause of decent, affordable housing for everyone.

Housing & Shelter
7
Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland Inc

Habitat for humanity of cleveland is a non-profit christian housing ministry. habitat works in partnership with god and people everywhere, from all walks of life, to develop communities for people in need by building and selling houses…

Housing & Shelter
8
The Village At Glencliff

The village at glencliff's mission is to provide a healing community for medically vulnerable, unhoused nashvillians to safely recover, stabilize their lives, and imagine their futures.

Housing & Shelter
9
Housing for Recovery

Housing for recovery is dedicated to providing safe, stable, and supportive housing environments for individuals navigating substance use and mental health challenges. through structured recovery housing settings, the organization promotes…

Health
10
Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho

Habitat for humanity of north idaho works in partnership with the community to build decent, energy efficient houses for qualified families in kootenai county.

—
11
Habitat for Humanity of Craven County Nc

To put gods love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope. it is an ecumenical christian housing ministry partnering with community volunteers to assist families who are working toward the purchase of a…

Housing & Shelter
12
David's House Ministries

To provide quality care, facilities and supportive services for adults with a developmental disability, traumatic brain injury or mental illness. being enabled by god, we strive to provide an intentionally christian environment and program…

Housing & Shelter
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Nextstep for Life Inc; the most unlike its peers is Mackenzie's Animal Sanctuary Inc. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

34 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 34 of the 68 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
9
Early backer (in before they grew)
33/34
Grantees still filing
20/34
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

KIRTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION: $22,000 · OtherKIRTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATIONHABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF KENT COUNTY INC: $17,500 · OtherHABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF KENT COUNTY INCIndividual grant recipient: $14,000 · OtherIndividual grant recipientCRAWFORD AUSABLE EDUCATION EXCELLENCE: $12,500 · OtherCRAWFORD AUSABLE EDUCATION EXCELLENCETHE NAZARENE FUND: $12,000 · OtherTHE NAZARENE FUNDMUNFORD HEALTHCARE FOUNDATIONS: $8,000 · OtherONE GOAL FOUNDATION: $7,000 · OtherBEREAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL: $7,000 · Other+39 more: $105,000 · Other+39 moreOTSEGO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $79,000 · PhilanthropyOTSEGO COMMUNITY FOUN…+1 more: $1,000 · PhilanthropyNEXT STEP FOR LIFE INC: $33,000 · Human ServicesNEXT STEP FO…ISAIAH 117 HOUSE: $5,000 · Human ServicesISAIAH 117 H…American National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches: $4,000 · Human ServicesAmerican Nat…LAZARUS HOUSE: $3,500 · Human ServicesLAZARUS HOUS…AIDNET OF GREENE COUNTY INC: $1,750 · Human ServicesCornerstone University: $21,000 · EducationCHESTERTON ACADEMY OF SAINT MARGARET CLITHEROW: $4,250 · EducationEMERALD CHARTER SCHOOLS: $3,000 · Education+2 more: $2,000 · EducationHILARITY FOR CHARITY INC: $14,000 · HealthALZHEIMER'S DISEASE & RELATED DISORDERS ASSOCIATION INC: $3,000 · HealthLOVE THAT SURPASSES: $2,000 · Health+1 more: $500 · HealthMACKENZIE'S ANIMAL SANCTUARY INC: $15,000 · AnimalsFRIENDS OF MACC: $2,000 · AnimalsELECTRIC LODGE: $7,000 · Arts & CultureAuSable Artisan Village: $6,500 · Arts & CultureWO SMITH NASHVILLE COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL: $2,500 · Arts & Culture
Other$205,000Philanthropy$80,000Human Services$47,250Education$30,250Health$19,500Animals$17,000Arts & Culture$16,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$100k$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetOTSEGO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $79,000 over 7y, 1.1% of budgetNEXT STEP FOR LIFE INC: $33,000 over 7y, 0.8% of budgetKIRTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION: $22,000 over 2y, 11% of budgetCornerstone University: $21,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetHABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF KENT COUNTY INC: $17,500 over 3y, 0.2% of budgetMACKENZIE'S ANIMAL SANCTUARY INC: $15,000 over 1y, 1.8% of budgetHILARITY FOR CHARITY INC: $14,000 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetTHE NAZARENE FUND: $12,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetELECTRIC LODGE: $7,000 over 1y, 2.1% of budgetAuSable Artisan Village: $6,500 over 1y, 2.5% of budgetNEXTSTEP FOR LIFE INC: $5,500 over 2y, 0.0% of budget413 STRONG INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetISAIAH 117 HOUSE: $5,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetTennessee State Parks Conservancy: $5,000 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetPOWER BOOK BAGS: $4,500 over 1y, 1.0% of budgetCHESTERTON ACADEMY OF SAINT MARGARET CLITHEROW: $4,250 over 2y, 4.8% of budgetAmerican National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches: $4,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHABITAT FOR HUMANITY: $4,000 over 1y, 1.2% of budgetLAZARUS HOUSE: $3,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetEMERALD CHARTER SCHOOLS: $3,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetALZHEIMER'S DISEASE & RELATED DISORDERS ASSOCIATION INC: $3,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCOOKEVILLE POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE: $3,000 over 2y, 1.5% of budgetWO SMITH NASHVILLE COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL: $2,500 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetFRIENDS OF MACC: $2,000 over 1y, 0.9% of budgetDays For Girls International: $2,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetMEN OF VALOR: $2,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetCRAWFORD AUSABLE DAY CARE INC: $2,000 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetLOVE THAT SURPASSES: $2,000 over 1y, 5.9% of budgetUPPER CUMBERLAND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: $1,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetJUSTIN TURNER FOUNDATION: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetRiver's Edge Christian Academy: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE FOUNDATION INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

The Community Foundat…Christian Community F…Baird Foundation IncEdward Jones Foundati…Raymond James Charita…The Blackbaud Giving …Charities Aid Foundat…Renaissance Charitabl…Natl Christian Charit…Jpmorgan Chase Founda…American Endowment Fo…The Pfizer Foundation…
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee IncTN16.5× affinity7 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Inc · Christian Community Foundation Inc · Baird Foundation Inc · Edward Jones Foundation · Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund · The Blackbaud Giving Fund · Charities Aid Foundation America · Renaissance Charitable Foundation Inc · Natl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc · Jpmorgan Chase Foundation · American Endowment Foundation · The Pfizer Foundation Inc

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Hees Family Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Hees Family Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%1%4%8%15%funder's share of their income ↑0%15%30%45%60%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    10report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–60%
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
    05Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to Hees Family Foundation?

    Find your warmest path to Hees Family Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

    Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 68 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Hees Family’s filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home