Wells Family Foundation Inc
Wells Family Foundation Inc is a private foundation established in 1992, based in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization dedicated to providing support, education, and resources to help families in need improve their quality of life and achieve self-sufficiency.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$180K
+33.3% YoY
Grant Count
11
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$16K
+33.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To provide support, education, and resources to improve quality of life for families in need, with a commitment to creating a culturally sensitive environment where everyone can achieve self-sufficiency.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Education (tutoring and school aid for children and young adults)
- Human Services
- Philanthropy and voluntarism
- Financial literacy and professional development
- Health care and healthcare services
- Religious support and teachings
- Dietary education and eating disorder awareness
The foundation operates comprehensive tutoring and mentorship programs focused on supporting BIPOC youth, particularly on the South Side of Chicago. Additional programming includes online classes in budgeting, financial literacy taught by volunteer financial counselors, and small venture capital funds for entrepreneurs and startups.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
of $10,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Florida, Virginia, and Texas, with additional programming focused on Chicago, Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,073,408 |
| Total Giving (2024) | $336,000 |
| Total Revenues (2024) | $228,717 |
| Total Expenses (2024) | $443,609 |
| Number of Employees | 0 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
98 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Smithsonian Archives American Art ($45,000), Christ for all People ($30,000), Hanley Center Foundation ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alliance for Eating Disorder West Palm Beach, FL | Dietary education | $10,000 |
| Christ for all People Hiawassee, GA | Support religious teachings | $30,000 |
| Dunklin MEmorial Church Okeechobee, FL | Support church | $5,000 |
| Foxcroft School Middleburg, VA | Education support | $10,000 |
| Hanley Center Foundation West Palm Beach, FL | Healthcare for individuals | $30,000 |
| John Hagee Ministries San Antonio, TX | Church support | $5,000 |
| New York Cares New York, NY | K-12 school support | $10,000 |
| Palm Beach Academy Palm Beach, FL | Support Childrens education | $20,000 |
| Ryan Lytch Sang Foundation Chicago, IL | Education awareness support | $10,000 |
| Smithsonian Archives American Art Washington, DC | Art preservation | $45,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Adele S Merck – President
- George Merck – Director
- John J Knip III – Treasurer
- Caroline G Merck – Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adele S Merck | President | 1 | — |
| George Merck | Director | 1 | — |
| John J Knip III | Treasurer | 4 | — |
| Caroline G Merck | Director | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 9113 Hampshire Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445-3244
Telephone: 612-333-4740
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Wells Family Foundation Inc fund?
**Mission:** To provide support, education, and resources to improve quality of life for families in need, with a commitment to creating a culturally sensitive environment where everyone can achieve self-sufficiency. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Education (tutoring and school aid for children and young adults) • Human Services • Philanthropy and voluntarism • Financial literacy and professional development • Health care and healthcare services • Religious support and teachings • Dietary education…
How do I apply for a grant from Wells Family Foundation Inc?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $5,000 to $45,000, with a median grant size of $10,000. **Recent Grant Activity:** The foundation made 30 grants in 2024, including: • Hanley Center Foundation: $30,000 (healthcare for individuals) • Christ for All People Ministries: $30,000 (support for religious teachings) • The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness: $10,000 (dietary education) **Total Annual Giving:** $336,000 (2024)
Where does Wells Family Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Florida, Virginia, and Texas, with additional programming focused on Chicago, Illinois.
What size grants does Wells Family Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Wells Family Foundation Inc awarded 11 grants totaling $180K — an average of about $16K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Wells Family Foundation Inc's EIN?
Wells Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1732563. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Wells Family Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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