Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc
Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In its 2024 filing, it reported 10 grants totaling $2,990,000 to organizations supporting activities that included brain tumor research, the performing arts, health policy studies, youth education, and civics education.
Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc gave $3.0M across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $299K), mostly in Florida. 0% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,990,000
- -1.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $299,000
- -1.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $150,000
- Total assets
- $30,060,691
- -3.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 10, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Florida (75% 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 Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 600 Sagamore Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (754) 701-8508
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of Florida Foundation ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $3.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
53 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $500K–1M range: 15 grants of 53 (28%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, Florida recipients received 75% of grant dollars and recipients in Washington, DC, received 17%. Illinois and Delaware each received 3%, while Connecticut received 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 0 of 10 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. How we count
- 100% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−3%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 161% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $3.0M (2024) to $3.4M (2020). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $3.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Florida Foundation Gainsville, FL | L.S. Wells Fund for Brain Tumor Research | $1,000,000 |
| Broward Performing Arts Foundation Fort Lauderdale, FL | Campaign for Parker Playhouse | $500,000 |
| Heritage Foundation Washington, DC | For Health Policy Studies | $500,000 |
| Junior Achievement of South Florida Coconut Creek, FL | General Purposes | $500,000 |
| James Madison Institute Tallahassee, FL | Civics Educations Studies | $200,000 |
| Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Chicago, IL | Lauren D. Holinger, MD Professorship in Pediatric Otolaryngology | $100,000 |
| Intercollegiate Studies Institute Inc Wilmington, DE | Honors Program | $100,000 |
| Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL | Art master teacher and curator of education art museum | $50,000 |
| Miss Porter's School Farmington, CT | General Purposes | $25,000 |
| The Latino Student Fund Washington, DC | General Purposes | $15,000 |
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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 | $30,060,691 | $2,085,158 | $3,277,972 | $2,990,000 | 10 | $2,990,000 | $1,829,095 | $1,851,984 |
| 2023 | $31,253,505 | $3,086,372 | $3,237,967 | $3,040,000 | 10 | $3,040,000 | $2,883,877 | $1,745,774 |
| 2022 | $31,405,100 | $2,862,009 | $3,415,253 | $3,060,000 | 10 | $3,060,000 | $2,605,695 | $1,858,251 |
| 2021 | $31,958,344 | $4,914,869 | $3,424,943 | $3,090,000 | 11 | $3,090,000 | $4,627,541 | $2,110,815 |
| 2020 | $30,468,418 | $2,621,266 | $3,613,028 | $3,382,500 | 12 | — | $2,382,313 | $1,787,256 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for medical research, arts and education, health policy studies, civics education, and general purposes.
The supported organizations describe a range of missions. Broward Performing Arts Foundation says it works to sustain and develop the performing arts in Broward County, primarily by supporting the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Intercollegiate Studies Institute says it inspires college students to discover and advance principles it associates with a good, free, and prosperous America. Nova Southeastern University describes its mission as delivering academic programs and fostering academic excellence, leadership, integrity, and scientific, economic, and community contributions. Miss Porter’s School says it educates young women to become informed, bold, resourceful, and ethical global citizens.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 10 grants totaling $2,990,000. Grants ranged from $15,000 to $1,000,000, with a median grant of $150,000. The largest grants were $1,000,000 to the University of Florida Foundation for the L.S. Wells Fund for Brain Tumor Research; $500,000 to Broward Performing Arts Foundation for the Campaign for Parker Playhouse; $500,000 to Heritage Foundation for health policy studies; and $500,000 to Junior Achievement of South Florida for general purposes.
Other 2024 grants included $200,000 to James Madison Institute for civics education studies; $100,000 to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago for a pediatric otolaryngology professorship; $100,000 to Intercollegiate Studies Institute for its honors program; $50,000 to Nova Southeastern University for an art master teacher and curator of education at its art museum; $25,000 to Miss Porter’s School for general purposes; and $15,000 to The Latino Student Fund for general purposes.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Barbara S. Wells as president and director; Ellen McPherson as director and assistant treasurer; James I. Ulmer as director and vice president; Walter W. Bell as secretary; Michael Weymouth as treasurer and director; and Heiko Dobrikow as director.
Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc is led by Barbara S. Wells, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Barbara S. Wells
President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ellen McPherson
Director & Assit Treasurer
Director & Treasurer → Director & Assit Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James I. Ulmer
Director & Vice President
Director, Vice President & Assistant Treasurer → Director & Vice President, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Weymouth
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heiko Dobrikow
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Walter W. Bell
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: George D. Smith III (2020–2021) — Director & Assistant Treasurer
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 Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc
How much does Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc give each year?
Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc gave $3.0M across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.0M across 10 grants.
What is Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $150,000, and its average grant was $299,000, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc give grants?
Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc gives mostly in Florida: 75% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was District of Columbia (17%). The most frequent recipient cities were Fort Lauderdale, FL (2 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 30% of Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include University of Florida Foundation ($1,000,000), Broward Performing Arts Foundation ($500,000) and Heritage Foundation ($500,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 67% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc?
Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc reported $30.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for medical research, arts and education, health policy studies, civics education, and general purposes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc?
The foundation 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 Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc's EIN?
Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7433827. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 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). Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/lillian-s-wells-foundation-inc-morg_db2edb45426b4e9d95c45f53abce3704
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237433827_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/lillian-s-wells-foundation-inc-morg_db2edb45426b4e9d95c45f53abce3704},
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 Lillian S Wells Foundation Inc'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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