The Ida B Wells Memorial Foundation
The Ida B Wells Memorial Foundation is a private foundation, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $132K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $6K.
The Ida B Wells Memorial Foundation at a glance
In short: The Ida B Wells Memorial Foundation gave $6K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $6K), mostly in Mississippi. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $6,000
- -14.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- -66.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $6,000
- +157.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $6,000
- Total assets
- $131,688
- -17.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Mississippi (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Ida B Wells Memorial Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Rust College ($6K).
Grant Size Distribution
13 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 13 grants of 13 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How The Ida B Wells Memorial Foundation gives
- Giving fell 86% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2022 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3K (2020) to $42K (2022). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $6K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rust College Holly Springs, MS | Ida B Wells Scholarship | $6,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $131,688 | $7,669 | $35,273 | $6,000 | 1 | $28,998 | — |
| 2024 | $159,292 | $22,032 | $39,056 | $7,000 | 3 | $39,056 | — |
| 2023 | $176,316 | $46,346 | $29,429 | $8,000 | 3 | $29,429 | — |
| 2022 | $159,399 | $119,614 | $63,100 | $41,500 | 3 | $45,204 | $4,225 |
| 2021 | $102,886 | $80,831 | $13,448 | $8,500 | 3 | — | $3,967 |
| 2020 | $35,503 | $9,262 | $18,283 | $3,153 | 1 | — | $1,693 |
| 2019 | $44,539 | $12,759 | $12,517 | $3,400 | 1 | — | — |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Ida B Wells Memorial Foundation is led by Michelle Duster, Chairman of the Board since 2022 (on filings since 2019); none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Michelle Duster
Chairman of the Board
Chairman → Chairman of the Board, 2022
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
$4K (2019) → $0 (2025)
Daniel Duster
Vice Chairman
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
$4K (2019) → $0 (2025)
David Duster
Treasurer & Secretary
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
$12K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $24K, to David Duster (Treasurer and Secretary).
Frequently asked questions about The Ida B Wells Memorial Foundation
How much does The Ida B Wells Memorial Foundation give each year?
The Ida B Wells Memorial Foundation gave $6K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $7K across 3 grants.
How large is The Ida B Wells Memorial Foundation?
The Ida B Wells Memorial Foundation reported $132K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $8K.
Where does The Ida B Wells Memorial Foundation operate?
The Ida B Wells Memorial Foundation has awarded grants in Illinois, Mississippi, Virginia.
What is The Ida B Wells Memorial Foundation's EIN?
The Ida B Wells Memorial Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4191108. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS December 11, 2019)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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