Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial
The Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial is a charitable foundation established to honor the wishes of Henrietta Tower Wurts, who passed away in 1933. Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the foundation operates as a private 501(c)(3) organization with tax-exempt status since January 1940. The Philadelphia Foundation provides administrative and management support services for the memorial, handling grant applications and distribution of awards approved by the Wurts Memorial's Board of Directors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.6M
-0.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$211K
-3.0% YoY
Grant Count
91
+5.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$2K
-8.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial reported a distributable amount of $275K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports programs in which a modest grant can play a significant part and which have meaningful goals in relation to the total resources committed to them. Primary focus areas include:
- Programs serving disadvantaged children and youth
- Programs serving the elderly
- General operating support for eligible organizations
- Food distribution initiatives
- Youth education and empowerment programs
- Youth apprenticeship programs
- Young artists programs
Grantmaking
1. Determine eligibility
Review Cycle
3. Program staff follow-up discussion
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Geographic funding distribution also includes New Jersey and California, with particular emphasis on cities such as Philadelphia, Norristown, and New Hope.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $4,660,138
- Total Revenues: $1,029,787
- Total Expenses: $321,559
- Number of Employees: 0
Grant Activity:
- Total Giving (2023): $210,500
- Average Grant Amount: Varies by award
- Median Grant Amount: Data not specified
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,642,673 | $4,660,138 | $3,951,910 |
| Revenue | $271,220 | $1,029,787 | $473,222 |
| Expenses | $288,685 | $321,559 | $368,959 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $214,465 | $219,624 | $273,876 |
| Net Investment Income | $194,846 | $923,449 | $370,097 |
| Distributable Amount | $274,831 | $239,784 | $259,801 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Juntos ($10,000), African Family Health Organization ($5,000), Asian Americans United ($5,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 5 SHORTS PROJECT PHILADELPHIA, PA | OPERATING SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| A LITTLE TASTE OF EVERYTHING PHILADELPHIA, PA | OPERATING SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| ACHIEVE NOW PHILADELPHIA, PA | OPERATING SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| AFRICAN CULTURAL ALLIANCE OF NORTH AMERICA INC PHILADELPHIA, PA | ACANA COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROJECT | $2,000 |
| AFRICAN FAMILY HEALTH ORGANIZATION PHILADELPHIA, PA | FOOD DISTRIBUTION | $5,000 |
| AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES PARTNERSHIPS PHILADELPHIA, PA | OPERATING SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| ALLEN'S LANE ART CENTER PHILADELPHIA, PA | STENTON FAMILY MANOR PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM | $2,000 |
| ARTISTAS Y MUSICOS LATINO AMERICANOS INC PHILADELPHIA, PA | OPERATING SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| ASIAN AMERICANS UNITED PHILADELPHIA, PA | ASIAN AMERICAN YOUTH EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM | $5,000 |
| ASIAN ARTS INITIATIVE PHILADELPHIA, PA | YOUTH ARTS WORKSHOP | $3,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- President: Ellen Nalle Hass
- Board Members: Denise Brown, Patricia Blakely, Shanell Ransom
All leadership serves without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELLEN NALLE HASS | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| DENISE BROWN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| PATRICIA BLAKELY | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| SHANELL RANSOM | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial Fund grant cycle operates on an annual basis. The most recent application deadline was February 16, 2026. The foundation continues to actively accept applications from eligible nonprofits serving disadvantaged populations in Philadelphia.
The Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial (HTWM) Fund grant cycle is ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial fund?
The foundation supports programs in which a modest grant can play a significant part and which have meaningful goals in relation to the total resources committed to them. Primary focus areas include: • Programs serving disadvantaged children and youth • Programs serving the elderly • General operating support for eligible organizations • Food distribution initiatives • Youth education and empowerment programs • Youth apprenticeship programs • Young artists programs
How do I apply for a grant from Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial?
**Grant Amounts:** $1,000 to $5,000 **Types of Support:** Programs or general operating support for organizations serving disadvantaged children, youth, and/or the elderly **Application Process:** 1. Determine eligibility 2. Submit application by deadline 3. Program staff follow-up discussion 4. Upon completion, organizations must submit a one-page narrative report detailing fund use and impact **Recent Activity:** The foundation made 98 grants in 2023, totaling $191,500 in documented grants. R…
Where does Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Geographic funding distribution also includes New Jersey and California, with particular emphasis on cities such as Philadelphia, Norristown, and New Hope.
What size grants does Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial award?
In 2024, Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial awarded 91 grants totaling $211K — an average of about $2K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial reported a distributable amount of $275K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial's EIN?
Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-6297977. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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