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Foundations / Kentucky

The Wells Foundation

Preselected recipients only Louisville, Kentucky · EIN 386157507

The Wells Foundation is a private foundation in Louisville, Kentucky. In tax year 2024 it gave $212,500 in 15 grants; the typical grant was $7,500 and the largest $65,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.

From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.

Giving in 2024 was down from $417,801 the year before.

53% of its 2024 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$417,80114$6.6 million
2024$212,50015$7.1 million

How to apply

The Wells Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.

IRS filings on ProPublica

What The Wells Foundation funds

Where it gives

Its grants went to recipients in 5 states, the most to Kentucky.

StateGrantsAmount
Kentucky11$198,500
Florida1$7,500
California1$5,000
District of Columbia1$1,000
Virginia1$500

Grants paid in 2024

All 15 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
Holy Trinity
Louisville, KY
Unrestricted gift$65,000
Speed Art Museum
Louisville, KY
Unrestricted gift$44,000
Filson Historical Society
Louisville, KY
Unrestricted gift$32,000
Catholic Services Appeal
Louisville, KY
Unrestricted gift$10,000
Sacred Heart Academy Annual Fund
Louisville, KY
Unrestricted gift$10,000
Saint Xavier High School
Louisville, KY
Unrestricted gift$10,000
Junior Achievenment of Kentuckiana
Louisville, KY
Unrestricted gift$10,000
Lost Tree Foundation
North Palm Beach, FL
Unrestricted gift$7,500
Virginia Chance School
Louisville, KY
Unrestricted gift$6,000
Gilda's Club
Louisville, KY
Unrestricted gift$5,000
Mayfield Senior School of the Holy Child Jesus
Pasadena, CA
Unrestricted gift$5,000
Kmac Coutre
Louisville, KY
Unrestricted gift$4,000
River Fields
Louisville, KY
Unrestricted gift$2,500
The Nicholson Project
Washington, DC
Unrestricted gift$1,000
Signature Theatre
Arlington, VA
Unrestricted gift$500

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2024 filing.

Questions people ask

Does The Wells Foundation accept grant applications?

No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.

How much does The Wells Foundation give?

$212,500 in tax year 2024, across 15 grants, with a typical grant of $7,500.

Who runs The Wells Foundation?

Its 2024 filing lists Ann Wells (Director) and Darrell Wells (Director).

What does The Wells Foundation fund?

Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture and education.

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