Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial
The Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial is a private foundation based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Formed to carry out the wishes of Henrietta Tower Wurts, who died in 1933, it provides grants to organizations serving disadvantaged children and youth and/or older adults in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Foundation provides administrative and management support services for the memorial.
Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial at a glance
In short: Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial gave $211K across 91 grants in 2024 (avg $2K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 36% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $210,500
- -3.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 91
- +5.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $2,313
- -8.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $4,642,673
- -0.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (33 of 91, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (97% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial
- How to Apply
-
Applications may be submitted through the foundation’s application page. The memorial considers one-year grants for qualifying organizations serving disadvantaged youth and/or older adults in Philadelphia. Ineligible proposals include those from organizations outside the City of Philadelphia, organizations that have received funding for three consecutive years, organizations that discriminate on specified grounds, organizations with budgets over $2.5 million, and requests for religious or political purposes. National, state, or regional organizations with significant and defining programs in Philadelphia may be considered.
- Review Cycle
- The filing directs applicants to the foundation’s website for current submission deadlines.
- Deadline
- The filing directs applicants to the foundation’s website for current submission deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: Sheressa Gordon Program Officer
Mailing address: 1835 Market Street Suite 2410, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 563-6417
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Juntos ($10K). Together the top 10 received $52K.
Grant Size Distribution
434 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 434 grants of 434 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The filing identifies Philadelphia as the service area for eligible proposals. In 2024, 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania; 1% each went to recipients in New Jersey and Florida, while shares for Virginia and the District of Columbia were listed as 0%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 91 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 33 of 91 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $3K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 45% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 24% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 78% 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 (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $211K (2024) to $278K (2021). In 2024 it made 91 grants totaling $211K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Juntos Philadelphia, PA | Food Distribution, Operating Support | $10,000 |
| African Family Health Organization Philadelphia, PA | Food Distribution | $5,000 |
| Asian Americans United Philadelphia, PA | Asian American Youth Education and Leadership Development Program | $5,000 |
| Broad Street Love Philadelphia, PA | Food Distribution | $5,000 |
| Chestnut Hill Meals on Wheels Flourtown, PA | Food Distribution | $5,000 |
| Metropolitan AIDS Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance (Manna) Philadelphia, PA | Food Distribution | $5,000 |
| Philabundance Philadelphia, PA | Food Distribution | $5,000 |
| Youth Empowerment for Advancement Hangout (Yeah Inc) Philadelphia, PA | Food Distribution | $5,000 |
| Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA | Cagp's Multicultural Out-of-School Time Summer Camp Program | $4,000 |
| Asian Arts Initiative Philadelphia, PA | Youth Arts Workshop | $3,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,642,673 | $271,220 | $288,685 | $210,500 | 91 | $214,465 | $194,846 | $274,831 |
| 2023 | $4,660,138 | $1,029,787 | $321,559 | $217,000 | 86 | $219,624 | $923,449 | $239,784 |
| 2022 | $3,951,910 | $473,222 | $368,959 | $269,500 | 98 | $273,876 | $370,097 | $259,801 |
| 2021 | $3,847,647 | $324,577 | $288,075 | $278,000 | 84 | $278,128 | $325,879 | $289,010 |
| 2020 | $3,811,145 | $139,846 | $240,951 | $237,000 | 75 | — | $141,044 | $251,893 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The memorial’s stated purpose is to provide grants for programs and general operating support for organizations serving disadvantaged children and youth and/or the elderly in Philadelphia County. Its filing says it considers proposals from qualifying public-service organizations serving disadvantaged youth and/or older adults in the City of Philadelphia.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of work among grantees. JUNTOS describes itself as a community-led Latine immigrant organization advocating for human rights, education, and dignity. Chestnut Hill Meals on Wheels says it delivers meals to neighbors affected by illness, disability, or age to support independent living. Connectedly describes its work as strengthening community support networks and reducing social isolation among older adults. The Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia says it works to improve the quality of life of Cambodian Americans through direct service, advocacy, and cultural education.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the memorial reported 91 grants totaling $210,500. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $10,000, with a median of $2,000. The filing describes its usual award range as $1,000 to $5,000; the itemized 2024 grants include an award above that range.
Among the 2024 grants, JUNTOS received $10,000; African Family Health Organization, Asian Americans United, Chestnut Hill Meals on Wheels, and Philabundance each received $5,000; and the Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia received $4,000. Listed grant purposes included food distribution, operating support, youth education and leadership development, and a summer camp program.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Ellen Nalle Hass as president and Denise Brown, Patricia Blakely, and Shanell Ransom as board members.
Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial is led by Ellen Nalle Hass, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ellen Nalle Hass
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Denise Brown
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patricia Blakely
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shanell Ransom
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Alison Anderson (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Fred Neibauer (2020–2021) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial
How much does Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial give each year?
Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial gave $211K across 91 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $217K across 86 grants.
What is Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial's typical grant size?
Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial's median grant in 2024 was $2,000, and its average grant was $2,313, across 91 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial that year got $2K on average.
Where does Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial give grants?
Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Philadelphia, PA (78 grants) and Flourtown, PA (2 grants).
Does Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial give general operating support?
Yes: 54% of Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (49 of 91) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Food Distribution" (6 grants).
Who are Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial's largest grantees?
Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial's largest 2024 grantees include Juntos ($10,000), African Family Health Organization ($5,000) and Asian Americans United ($5,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 10% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial?
Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial reported $4.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $214K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $275K (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 Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial fund?
The memorial’s stated purpose is to provide grants for programs and general operating support for organizations serving disadvantaged children and youth and/or the elderly in Philadelphia County. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial?
Applications may be submitted through the foundation’s application page. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/henrietta-tower-wurts-memorial-morg_1e92d0bf59c74209be4350790cc65d0d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_236297977_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/henrietta-tower-wurts-memorial-morg_1e92d0bf59c74209be4350790cc65d0d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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