The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation
The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation mission is to support charitable organizations that are listed separately in schedule a of this tax return. These supported organizations collectively support youth activities, human needs, education, science, health services, social service and relief projects and programs and the promotion of the good news of jesus christ round the world including without limitation projects with an emphasis on christian missionary and christian youth-oriented programs.
The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation at a glance
In short: The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation gave $144K across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $29K), mostly in Virginia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $144,265
- -22.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 5
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $28,853
- -22.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $3,466,838
- -0.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Virginia (52% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Trinity United Methodist Church ($50K). Together the top 5 received $144K.
Grant Size Distribution
23 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 17 grants of 23 (74%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−17%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $144K (2025) to $186K (2024). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $144K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Trinity United Methodist Church Buchanan, VA | Building exterior repair project and support of resource center. | $50,000 |
| Young Life Colorado Springs, CO | Grant for support of camp in Botetourt county, va. | $29,265 |
| Virginia Tech Foundation Blacksburg, VA | Grant to Support College. | $25,000 |
| Berea College Berea, KY | Grant to Support College | $25,000 |
| Milligan University Milligan College, TN | Contribution to support health services, counseling center, and spiritual formation programs | $15,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,466,838 | $154,923 | $178,767 | $144,265 | 5 | $154,923 |
| 2024 | $3,490,682 | $180,949 | $224,381 | $185,705 | 5 | $180,949 |
| 2023 | $3,534,114 | $214,299 | $216,642 | $180,036 | 5 | $214,299 |
| 2022 | $3,536,457 | $181,174 | $209,103 | $173,000 | 4 | $181,174 |
| 2021 | $3,564,386 | $297,812 | $199,226 | $162,300 | 4 | $297,812 |
| 2020 | $3,465,800 | $206,479 | $191,462 | $157,766 | 5 | $206,479 |
About The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation is a public charity focused on religion, based in Buchanan, VA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $3.5M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $144K. Net investment income was $155K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation is led by Joe C. Wells, President & Trustee on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Joe C. Wells
President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Preston
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Linda W. Gooding
Secretary & Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Norma P. Wells (2020–2023) — Treasurer & Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation
How much does The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation give each year?
The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation gave $144K across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $186K across 5 grants.
What is The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation's typical grant size?
The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $28,853, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation give grants?
The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation gives mostly in Virginia: 52% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Colorado (20%) and Kentucky (17%).
Does The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation's largest grantees?
The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Trinity United Methodist Church ($50,000), Young Life ($29,265) and Virginia Tech Foundation ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 72% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation?
The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation reported $3.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $155K.
What is The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation?
The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation is a public charity focused on religion, based in Buchanan, VA. It holds $3.5M in total assets as of 2025.
What is The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation's EIN?
The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1783158. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 4, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 4, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 8, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation funds
Religion Related Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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