Wells County Foundation Inc
Wells County Foundation Inc is a public charity based in Bluffton, Indiana. Formed in 1957, it supports charitable organizations and projects intended to enhance quality of life in the Wells County community, and awards scholarships to Wells County residents pursuing post-secondary education.
Wells County Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Wells County Foundation Inc gave $785K across 37 grants in 2024 (avg $21K), mostly in Indiana. 22% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $785,273
- +21.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 37
- +8.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $21,224
- +11.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $39,895,401
- +13.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (8 of 37, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Indiana (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Wells County Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
For regular-cycle grants, applicants submit a proposal and supporting materials to the Foundation office. The application calls for a project narrative, budget and other financial information, organizational information, and supporting documents where applicable. Proposals should be unbound and secured with paperclips or binder clips. The Grants Committee reviews proposals and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors; staff or committee members may visit applicants. Grantees sign a grant agreement and, after spending the grant, submit documentation and a final report detailing expenditures within 12 months of distribution.
- Review Cycle
- The 2026 regular-cycle deadlines are February 13, June 15, and October 15. The first two dates have passed; the third-cycle deadline is October 15, 2026, by 4 p.m. Needs Assessment Grants are also listed on the Foundation’s website, which directs applicants to review the relevant guidelines and application materials.
- Deadline
- The 2026 regular-cycle deadlines are February 13, June 15, and October 15.
- Contact
Mailing address: 222 W Market Street, Bluffton, IN 46714
Phone: (260) 824-8620
Website: https://wellscountyfound.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Wells County Foundation Inc
Grants for Wells County Non-Profit Organizations
Wells County Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
LiGHT Grants
Wells County Foundation Inc
Amount
US $100 - US $3,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Teacher Creativity Grants
Wells County Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Wells County Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Wells County Revitalization Inc ($123K). Together the top 10 received $513K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($25,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
148 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 137 grants of 148 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s stated purpose and grant programs focus on Wells County, Indiana. In 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Indiana and 1% to recipients in Kansas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 37 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Wells County Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 37 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $25K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $11K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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 $439K (2020) to $785K (2024). In 2024 it made 37 grants totaling $785K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wells County Revitalization Inc Bluffton, IN | Support Revitalization of Community | $122,500 |
| Bluffton Parks Department Bluffton, IN | Various Activities at Local Parks | $114,817 |
| Bi-County Services Inc Bluffton, IN | Programs for Mentally Handicapped | $62,850 |
| Wells Co Boys & Girls Club Bluffton, IN | Support Programs for Kids in Comm | $49,778 |
| Wells Co 4-H Association Bluffton, IN | Funding for Facility Improvements | $34,251 |
| Creative Arts-Wells CO Bluffton, IN | Provide Art Programs to Community | $30,731 |
| United Way of Wells CO Bluffton, IN | Support Community Programs | $26,800 |
| City of Bluffton Bluffton, IN | Marketing Initiative | $25,000 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $25,000 |
| Family Centered Services Bluffton, IN | Various Family Programs | $24,950 |
Ready to take the next step with Wells County Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $39,895,401 | $4,323,351 | $1,902,283 | $785,273 | 37 | $3,106,837 |
| 2023 | $35,180,769 | $1,735,945 | $1,645,265 | $646,668 | 34 | $1,104,985 |
| 2022 | $31,426,440 | $1,745,304 | $1,897,913 | $767,767 | 29 | $1,063,153 |
| 2021 | $38,406,822 | $3,725,265 | $1,536,201 | $550,555 | 24 | $2,225,625 |
| 2020 | $32,856,870 | $2,113,096 | $1,284,328 | $438,839 | 24 | $1,751,169 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to enhance quality of life within the Wells County community. Its regular grant guidelines consider requests in arts and culture, civic affairs, community development, education, youth, environment, animal welfare, recreation, health, and human services. The Foundation’s Needs Assessment Grants address affordable housing, child care and early childhood education, substance use disorder, and workforce development.
Examples of organizations receiving 2024 grants include Wells County Revitalization Inc, whose stated mission is to promote improvement and revitalization of the business area and work toward the rejuvenation of Wells County, and Bi-County Services Inc, which says it aims to empower the people it serves and promote their independence, productivity, quality of life, and community enrichment. Other grantees included the Wells Community Boys & Girls Club, which describes its mission as promoting alternative activities for area youth, and the Creative Arts Council of Wells County, which says it raises awareness of the arts and provides opportunities to learn about them.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 37 grants totaling $785,273. Grant amounts ranged from $5,500 to $122,500, with a median of $10,000. The largest awards included $122,500 to Wells County Revitalization Inc for community revitalization; $114,817 to the Bluffton Parks Department for activities at local parks; and $62,850 to Bi-County Services Inc for programs for people with intellectual disabilities. Other notable grants included $49,778 to the Wells County Boys & Girls Club, $34,251 to the Wells County 4-H Association for facility improvements, and $30,731 to Creative Arts-Wells County for community art programs.
The Foundation’s filing also reports that 162 students received scholarships in 2024. Its website says Needs Assessment Grants have awarded $338,142 since launching in 2023.
The Foundation generally does not make multi-year grants or grants to individuals, except through its scholarship funds. It does not fund operating deficits, post-event or after-the-fact expenses, travel, political organizations, or attempts to influence legislation, with a stated exception for making nonpartisan analysis, study, or research available to the public. Requests from religious groups may be considered when they address a general community need and do not promote a particular religious doctrine.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Tammy Slater as executive director. Officers and directors listed include Sarah McNeill, president; Stephen Pastore, vice president; Brad Johnson, treasurer; Jessica Bricker, secretary; and directors Alan Gunkel, Rick Gentis, Kody Kumfer, Seth Whicker, and Michael Towne.
Wells County Foundation Inc is led by Tammy Slater, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 11 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Tammy Slater
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$75K (2020) → $89K (2024)
Sarah McNeill
President
Director → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Alan Gunkel
Director
Vice President → President, 2022
President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Seth Whicker
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Kody Kumfer
Director
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Michael Towne
Director
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Rick Gentis
Director
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Luann Garton
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Brad Johnson
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Jessica Bricker
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Stephen Pastore
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Ginny Fenstermaker (2020–2021) — President
- Former: Mike Kracium (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Mitch Harnish (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Tammy Schaffer (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Amy Greiner (2020) — Director
- Former: Barbara Barbieri (2020) — Secretary
- Former: Greg Roembke (2020) — Director
- Former: Sid Schwartz (2020) — Vice President
- Former: Tim Babcock (2020) — Director
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $89K, to Tammy Slater (Exec Director).
Frequently asked questions about Wells County Foundation Inc
How much does Wells County Foundation Inc give each year?
Wells County Foundation Inc gave $785K across 37 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $647K across 34 grants.
What is Wells County Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Wells County Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $21,224, across 37 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Wells County Foundation Inc that year got $9K on average.
Where does Wells County Foundation Inc give grants?
Wells County Foundation Inc gives mostly in Indiana: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Bluffton, IN (19 grants), Fort Wayne, IN (9 grants) and Decatur, IN (3 grants).
Does Wells County Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 37 grants with a stated purpose on Wells County Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Wells County Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Wells County Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Wells County Revitalization Inc ($122,500), Bluffton Parks Department ($114,817) and Bi-County Services Inc ($62,850), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($25,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 38% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Wells County Foundation Inc?
Wells County Foundation Inc reported $39.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.3M.
What does Wells County Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to enhance quality of life within the Wells County community. Its regular grant guidelines consider requests in arts and culture, civic affairs, community development, education, youth, environment, animal welfare, recreation, health, and human services. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Wells County Foundation Inc?
For regular-cycle grants, applicants submit a proposal and supporting materials to the Foundation office. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Wells County Foundation Inc's EIN?
Wells County Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-6042815. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Wells County Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Wells County Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/wells-county-foundation-inc-morg_6db931dc1b1b4ab19caecf9fadd3dc2f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_356042815_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Wells County Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/wells-county-foundation-inc-morg_6db931dc1b1b4ab19caecf9fadd3dc2f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Wells County 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.
Wells County Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?