Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Clifton, TX EIN: 75-1822990

The Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation is a private foundation based in Clifton, Texas. In 2025, it reported 23 grants totaling $186,100 to charitable organizations, with most grant dollars going to recipients in Texas.

Key facts about Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation

In short: Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation gave $186K across 23 grants in 2025 (avg $8K), mostly in Texas. 35% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
75-1822990
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$186,100
Grants made (2025)
23
Average grant
$8,091
Median grant
$1,000
New grantees (estimate)
35% first-time grantees (8 of 23, 2025)
Total assets
$4,410,042
Primary geography
Texas (73% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to apply
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$4.4M

-0.1% YoY

Annual Giving

$186K

-6.9% YoY

Grant Count

23

+9.5% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$8K

-15.0% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation reported a distributable amount of $286K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Is Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation open to new grantees?

35%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 8 of 23 grantees (35%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $319; repeat grants $12K. How we count

Medians: $225 first-time, $5K repeat.

  • 61% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−12%). Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 81% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for educational institutions, religious organizations, museums, arts organizations, and other charitable organizations. For example, the Bosque Museum describes its mission as preserving Bosque County’s historic and prehistoric resources for public use, education, enjoyment, and economic benefit. The Bosque Arts Center says it promotes and supports performing and visual arts in Bosque County.

Other 2025 recipients describe a range of work: Schreiner University focuses on student achievement and higher education; St. Mark’s School of Texas provides a college-preparatory education for boys in grades 1–12; and Care for Cats provides veterinary care, food support, and rehoming for cats and kittens.

Grantmaking

In 2025, the foundation made 23 grants totaling $186,100. Grant amounts ranged from $200 to $87,050; the median grant was $1,000. The largest grants included $87,050 to Clifton Church of Christ, $26,500 to Freed Hardeman University, $15,000 to FARA, and $10,000 each to Schreiner University, Bosque Museum, and St. Mark’s School of Texas. The filing lists the purpose of these grants as “donation.”

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2025, 73% of grant dollars went to recipients in Texas, 15% to Tennessee, 8% to Pennsylvania, and 4% to Missouri. The filing also lists a recipient in Wisconsin, with the state accounting for 0% of grant dollars.

Grant Distribution by State

11states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 23 itemized grants.

Cities

CliftonDallasAbileneDowningtownHendersonKerrvilleObionTempleUnion CityHoustonSaladoBeltonBransonCransfill GapRogersStephenvilleAlexandriaAmarilloArlingtonCollierville

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$100K$200K$300K21 grants2021 19 grants2022 21 grants2023 21 grants2024 23 grants2025

From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $175K (2021) to $238K (2023). In 2025 it made 23 grants totaling $186K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Clifton Church of Christ: $87KClifton Church of Christ$87KFreed Hardeman University: $27KFreed Hardeman University$27KFara: $15KFara$15KSchreiner University: $10KSchreiner University$10KBosque Museum: $10KBosque Museum$10KSt Marks School of Texas: $10KSt Marks School of Texas$10KKAA: $8KKAA$8KAbilene Christian Univ: $5KAbilene Christian Univ$5KCenter for Pursuit: $5KCenter for Pursuit$5KLeah Demaree Douglas Imaginaton Fou: $3KLeah Demaree DouglasImaginaton Fou$3K

The largest 2025 recipient was Clifton Church of Christ ($87K). Together the top 10 received $179K.

Grant Size Distribution

105 grants across all recorded years

101<$50K2$50–100K2$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 101 grants of 105 (96%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Clifton Church of Christ Clifton, TXDonation$87,050
Freed Hardeman University Henderson, TNDonation$26,500
Fara Downingtown, PADonation$15,000
Schreiner University Kerrville, TXDonation$10,000
Bosque Museum Clifton, TXDonation$10,000
St Marks School of Texas Dallas, TXDonation$10,000
KAA Branson, MODonation$8,000
Abilene Christian Univ Abilene, TXDonation$5,000
Center for Pursuit Houston, TXDonation$5,000
Leah Demaree Douglas Imaginaton Fou Clifton, TXDonation$2,500

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants
2025 $4,410,042 $233,949 $231,966 $186,100
2024 $4,413,479 $326,660 $236,121 $199,800
2023 $4,350,604 $2,021,834 $250,065 $237,800
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$1M$2M$3M2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$4,410,042$4,413,479$4,350,604
Revenue$233,949$326,660$2,021,834
Expenses$231,966$236,121$250,065
Qualifying Distributions$231,966$236,121$250,065
Net Investment Income$188,083$290,339$2,009,569
Distributable Amount$285,757$263,435$211,601

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 8, 2022)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 7, 2023)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 29, 2024)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 11, 2025)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 8, 2026)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Stephen A. Wells as President and Director; Ran K. Wells as Director; Judy K. Wells as Secretary and Director; Cayce W. McCormick as Director; and Dansby W. Erwin as Director.

Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation is led by Stephen A. Wells, President & Director on every filing since 2021; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Stephen A. Wells

    President & Director

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Cayce W. McCormick

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    No compensation reported

  • Dansby W. Erwin

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    No compensation reported

  • Judy K. Wells

    Secretary & Director

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ran K. Wells

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Contact

Mailing address: PO Box 513, Clifton, TX 76634
Phone: (254) 675-4600

Frequently asked questions about Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation

How much does Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation give each year?

Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation gave $186K across 23 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $200K across 21 grants.

What is Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation's typical grant size?

Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $8,091, across 23 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation that year got $319 on average.

Where does Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation give grants?

Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 73% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Tennessee (15%) and Pennsylvania (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Clifton, TX (5 grants), Dallas, TX (4 grants) and Temple, TX (3 grants).

Does Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 23 grants with a stated purpose on Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donation" (23 grants).

Who are Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation's largest grantees?

Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Clifton Church of Christ ($87,050), Freed Hardeman University ($26,500) and Fara ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 69% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation?

Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation reported $4.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $232K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $286K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.

What does Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation fund?

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for educational institutions, religious organizations, museums, arts organizations, and other charitable organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation?

The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation's EIN?

Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-1822990. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.

Does Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?

No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

PNM TNMP Foundation

Albuquerque, NM

The PNM | TNMP Foundation funds nonprofits working in education, environmental stewardship, economic opportunity, and community resilience, primarily in New Mexico and Texas; its 2026 PNM Power Grant is for eligible New Mexico nonprofits. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $75,000, with a median of $5,000. It accepts unsolicited requests through the PNM Power Grant application.

Assets

$14.2M

Grants

169

Total Given

$1.3M

Enterprise Holdings Foundation

Saint Louis, MO

Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports nonprofits in health, education, arts, disaster relief, reforestation, hunger relief, and community equity, with an emphasis on organizations actively supported by Enterprise employees and their families. Its reported grants range widely: 2024 giving averaged about $7,700 across 9,499 grants, while the foundation also offers awards of up to $40,000; it supports communities where Enterprise operates worldwide. Unsolicited requests are accepted at any time, but eligible applications must be submitted by an Enterprise team member or their spouse or domestic partner on behalf of a nonprofit they actively support.

Assets

$594.3M

Grants

1

Total Given

$101.4M

Greater Houston Community Foundation

Houston, TX

The Foundation makes grants through donor-advised and other donor-established funds for public benefit, human services, education, and health, including initiatives addressing economic mobility and poverty in Harris County. In 2024, its median grant was $25,000; it serves Greater Houston, while grants also go to recipients elsewhere in Texas and beyond. It does not accept proposals for the upcoming High-Impact Grantmaking cycle and plans to invite selected organizations or collaboratives to apply.

Assets

$1.1B

Grants

1,724

Total Given

$232.3M

Jerry Junkins Family Foundation

Dallas, TX

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$482K

Grants

2

Total Given

$13K

The Denker Foundation

Dallas, TX

The Denker Foundation supports a varied range of charitable organizations, including those focused on environmental conservation, education, policy, arts, and historic preservation. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,000 to $25,000, with a median of $2,500, and most funding went to organizations in Maryland, followed by New York. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.2M

Grants

14

Total Given

$74K

The McAfee Family Foundation

Clifton, TX

The McAfee Family Foundation supports charitable organizations in areas including cancer research and support, health care, search and rescue, historic preservation, and faith-based services. Its 2024 grants ranged from $85 to $7,500, with a median of $1,000, and went to organizations in multiple states, especially California and Texas. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$965K

Grants

24

Total Given

$54K

Greater Horizons

Kansas City, MO

Greater Horizons is a donor-advised fund provider whose donor-directed grants support eligible U.S. public charities across a broad range of causes; international organizations may also qualify with additional review and fees. In 2024, grants had a median of $15,000, with itemized awards ranging from $5,001 to $10,073,050, and recipients were located across the United States, especially in California, Texas, Nebraska, New York, and Kansas. It describes a grant-request process for donors, not an application process for organizations, so unsolicited requests are not stated as accepted.

Assets

$2.8B

Grants

3,282

Total Given

$212.2M

The Hoglund Foundation

Dallas, TX

The Hoglund Foundation funds education and family-support programs for at-risk children and families, including child abuse prevention, teacher and classroom support, and projects with measurable results. Grants focus on the City of Dallas and ranged from $500 to $135,000 in 2024, with a median of $12,500. It accepts applications online three times a year; first-time applicants must first email a one-page letter of intent.

Assets

$42.9M

Grants

93

Total Given

$1.7M

Mason Brown Family Foundation Inc

Dallas, TX

The Mason Brown Family Foundation funds health care and research, hunger relief, public media, services for older adults, community programs, and the arts, primarily in Texas. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $45,000, with a median of $5,000. It supports preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$7.9M

Grants

43

Total Given

$353K

Communities Foundation of Texas Inc

Dallas, TX

Communities Foundation of Texas funds charitable work in health, wealth, living, and learning, with much of its grantmaking supporting North Texas nonprofits; its 2025 grants had a median of $18,779, though award sizes varied widely. Nearly all opportunities are by invitation, and its Nonprofit Gateway profile is not a grant application.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.2B

Grants

2,209

Total Given

$209.2M

BNSF Railway Foundation

Fort Worth, TX

The BNSF Railway Foundation supports civic, cultural, educational, health and human services, environmental, and youth programs, as well as general operating costs, in communities served by BNSF across its 28-state network. Its 2025 median grant was $2,500; its current grants program lists awards of $1,000–$10,000.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$23.0M

Grants

993

Total Given

$7.0M

More Funders in Texas

Dan Kirkland Wells Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?