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Foundations / Virginia

Bill and Helen Harris Charitable Education Trust

Accepts applications Wirtz, Virginia · EIN 264063516

Bill and Helen Harris Charitable Education Trust is a private foundation in Wirtz, Virginia. In tax year 2025 it gave $30,000 in 6 grants; the typical grant was $5,000 and the largest $9,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.

From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.

Giving in 2025 was up from $28,000 the year before.

67% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.

Giving by year

Tax yearGrants paidNumber of grantsAssets
2023$10,0003$1.1 million
2024$28,0005$1.1 million
2025$30,0006$1.4 million

How to apply

ContactDonald R Henck
PO Box 56, Somerset, VA 22972
Phone or email(540) 672-1062
What to submitForm & content of applications------------------------------application procedure:1. Application forms are available from the school guidance department in central va high schools.2. Each applicant should request a transcript to be included with the application.3. Applicants must write a short statement (no more than 500 words) which summarizes information about their goals, financial needs and community service as shown on the application form.4. A scholarship financial form should be included.5. Two letters of recommendation. Only one may be from a teacher or school administrator.6. Any other relevant documents required by the high school application process should be included.
RestrictionsEligibility: individuals eligible to receive funds from bill & helen harris charitable education trust will be selected from central va high schools, and will be limited to higher education programs within the 50 united states. Specific criteria for eligibility: 1. High school gpa of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale. 2. Have engaged in community service of a significant nature. 3. Good character as shown through letters of recommendation. 4. Have demonstrated financial need. 5. Will be pursuing an undergraduate or associate degree or diploma at a recognized junior college, college, university or trade school. Scholarship recipients must maintain a 2.5 gpa. The recipients will be required to meet with the trust's executive director annually to deliver their renewal request & to review their progress. The trust shall receive as part of the renewal process a verified report from the educational institution at least once each year to confirm the student's academic status & eligibility.

As written in the foundation's IRS filing for tax year 2025. Details may have changed since.

IRS filings on ProPublica

What Bill and Helen Harris Charitable Education Trust funds

Where it gives

Its grants went to recipients in 2 states, the most to Virginia.

StateGrantsAmount
Virginia5$25,000
Tennessee1$5,000

Grants paid in 2025

All 6 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
Radford University
Radford, VA
Tuition assistance$9,000
Galax Foundation for Excellence in
Galax, VA
Student aid$8,000
East TN State University
Johnson City, TN
Tuition assistance$5,000
University of Va
Charlottesville, VA
Tuition assistance$5,000
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
Tuition assistance$2,000
Radford University Carilion
Roanoke, VA
Tuition assistance$1,000

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2025 filing.

Questions people ask

Does Bill and Helen Harris Charitable Education Trust accept grant applications?

Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications.

How much does Bill and Helen Harris Charitable Education Trust give?

$30,000 in tax year 2025, across 6 grants, with a typical grant of $5,000.

Who runs Bill and Helen Harris Charitable Education Trust?

Its 2025 filing lists Donald R Henck (Trustee).

What does Bill and Helen Harris Charitable Education Trust fund?

Based on its grants, mainly education.

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