The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation

Public charity · Grantmaker Buchanan, VA EIN: 31-1783158

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.

Key facts about The Cliff and Norma Wells Foundation

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.

EIN
31-1783158
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$144,265
Grants made (2025)
5
Average grant
$28,853
Median grant
$25,000
Total assets
$3,466,838
Primary geography
Virginia (52% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$3.5M

-0.7% YoY

Annual Giving

$144K

-22.3% YoY

Grant Count

5

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$29K

-22.3% YoY

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.

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

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

6states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.

Cities

BuchananBereaMilligan CollegeColorado SpringsHudsonRoanokeBlacksburgWashington

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$50K$100K$150K$200K5 grants2020 4 grants2021 4 grants2022 5 grants2023 5 grants2024 5 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $144K (2025) to $186K (2024). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $144K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 5 recipients in 2025

Trinity United Methodist Church: $50KTrinity United MethodistChurch$50KYoung Life: $29KYoung Life$29KVirginia Tech Foundation: $25KVirginia Tech Foundation$25KBerea College: $25KBerea College$25KMilligan University: $15KMilligan University$15K

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

17<$50K6$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 17 grants of 23 (74%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Trinity United Methodist Church Buchanan, VABuilding exterior repair project and support of resource center.$50,000
Young Life Colorado Springs, COGrant for support of camp in Botetourt county, va.$29,265
Virginia Tech Foundation Blacksburg, VAGrant to Support College.$25,000
Berea College Berea, KYGrant to Support College$25,000
Milligan University Milligan College, TNContribution to support health services, counseling center, and spiritual formation programs$15,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$100K$200K$300K$400K2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$3,466,838$3,490,682$3,534,114
Revenue$154,923$180,949$214,299
Expenses$178,767$224,381$216,642
Net Investment Income$154,923$180,949$214,299

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 4, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 8, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 16, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 4, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 8, 2025)
  6. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
  7. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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.

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