The Wendell and Celia Ellis Family
The Wendell and Celia Ellis Family is a private foundation, based in Oneonta, AL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $688K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $465K. Net investment income was $43K.
The Wendell and Celia Ellis Family at a glance
In short: The Wendell and Celia Ellis Family gave $465K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $66K), mostly in Alabama. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $465,000
- +130.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- +40.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $66,429
- +64.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $60,000
- Total assets
- $688,282
- -6.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Alabama (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Wendell and Celia Ellis Family funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Lester Memorial United Methodist Church ($240K across 4 grants). Together the top 4 received $465K.
Grant Size Distribution
28 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 12 grants of 28 (43%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Wendell and Celia Ellis Family gives
- Giving grew 140% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 891% of 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $182K (2020) to $465K (2024). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $465K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Auburn University Foundation Auburn, AL | General Contribution | $200,000 |
| Lester Memorial United Methodist Church Oneonta, AL | General Contribution | $60,000 |
| Lester Memorial United Methodist Church Oneonta, AL | General Contribution | $60,000 |
| Lester Memorial United Methodist Church Oneonta, AL | General Contribution | $60,000 |
| Lester Memorial United Methodist Church Oneonta, AL | General Contribution | $60,000 |
| Oneonta Public Library Oneonta, AL | General Contribution | $15,000 |
| Blount County Children's Center Oneonta, AL | General Contribution | $10,000 |
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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 | $688,282 | $399,769 | $474,897 | $465,000 | 7 | $465,000 | $42,783 | $52,193 |
| 2023 | $735,979 | $255,943 | $210,447 | $202,000 | 5 | $202,000 | $7,773 | $40,925 |
| 2022 | $690,483 | $298,378 | $337,760 | $328,500 | 9 | $328,500 | $59,705 | $38,630 |
| 2021 | $728,961 | $357,938 | $202,166 | $194,000 | 5 | $194,000 | $95,203 | $40,853 |
| 2020 | $573,211 | $233,996 | $187,203 | $182,000 | 2 | — | $28,793 | $25,764 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Wendell and Celia Ellis Family reported a distributable amount of $52K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Wendell and Celia Ellis Family is led by Howard Wendell Ellis, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Howard Wendell Ellis
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amelia Hunter Wyrick
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Neil Carter Ellis
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Celia C. Ellis
Vice President & Secretary
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 The Wendell and Celia Ellis Family
How much does The Wendell and Celia Ellis Family give each year?
The Wendell and Celia Ellis Family gave $465K across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $202K across 5 grants.
What is The Wendell and Celia Ellis Family's typical grant size?
The Wendell and Celia Ellis Family's median grant in 2024 was $60,000, and its average grant was $66,429, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Wendell and Celia Ellis Family give grants?
The Wendell and Celia Ellis Family gives mostly in Alabama: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Oneonta, AL (6 grants).
Does The Wendell and Celia Ellis Family give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Wendell and Celia Ellis Family's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (7 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Wendell and Celia Ellis Family's largest grantees?
The Wendell and Celia Ellis Family's largest 2024 grantees include Lester Memorial United Methodist Church ($240,000 across 4 grants), Auburn University Foundation ($200,000) and Oneonta Public Library ($15,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 98% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Wendell and Celia Ellis Family?
The Wendell and Celia Ellis Family reported $688K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $465K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $52K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Wendell and Celia Ellis Family's EIN?
The Wendell and Celia Ellis Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-1876196. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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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