The Lutheran Church of the Foothills, through the Hellene Henrikson Fund, aims to continue the legacy of Hellene Henrikson's generosity by supporting nonprofit organizations in Tucson. Born from a significant contribution from Hellene Henrikson at her passing in 2018, the fund focuses on areas selected annually, reflecting Hellene's commitment to supporting her community and church throughout her life.
The Hellene Henrikson Fund awards grants to nonprofit organizations with programs that align with annually selected focus areas by the Lutheran Church of the Foothills. For Fall 2023, the focus is on aiding immigrants, refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers through services such as food, housing, clothing assistance, healthcare, cultural or social navigation, and employment with fair wages. This initiative aims to address both the immediate needs and broader impacts of immigration in the community. Nonprofits can apply for up to $15,000, with a total of $60,000 available for distribution. Priority is given to organizations actively involving their community in program planning, can demonstrate measurable outcomes, detail sustainability plans beyond the grant period, and serve families with children or seniors.