Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc is a private foundation based in New York, New York. It launched in 2001 and supports human rights and social and economic justice. In August 2024, its board decided to wind down the foundation; Wellspring says it will cease operations and grantmaking by or before the end of 2028.
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc at a glance
In short: Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc gave $326.0M across 1,101 grants in 2024 (avg $296K), top state New York. 17% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $326,037,199
- +18.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1,101
- +10.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $296,128
- +7.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $200,000
- Total assets
- $134,402,548
- -25.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 17% first-time grantees (142 of 840, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (22% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
Wellspring states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 10 Times Sq 1441 Broadway, New York, NY 10018
Phone: (212) 609-2622
Website: https://www.wpfund.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Neo Philanthropy Inc ($12.7M across 12 grants). Together the top 10 received $56.9M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($70,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
5,320 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 2,346 grants of 5,320 (44%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Wellspring describes supporting organizations in the United States and across the globe. In 2024, its reported grant dollars included 22% to recipients in New York, 18% in Washington, DC, 13% in California, and 4% in Massachusetts. The filing lists a further 26% under an unspecified state designation.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 1,101 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc open to new grantees?
17%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 142 of 840 grantees (17%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $294K; repeat grants $407K. How we count
Medians: $200K first-time, $200K repeat.
- 79% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+19%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF 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 $273.3M (2021) to $428.2M (2020). In 2024 it made 1,101 grants totaling $326.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Jewish World Service Inc New York, NY | Programmatic and Institutional Support | $9,750,000 |
| Neo Philanthropy Inc New York, NY | Advancing Civic Engagement | $6,500,000 |
| Human Rights Watch Inc New York, NY | Advancing Human Rights | $4,875,000 |
| National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Empowerm Baltimore, MD | Advancing Civic Engagement | $3,000,000 |
| Windward Fund Washington, DC | Advancing Civic Engagement and Expanding Economic Opportunity | $2,950,000 |
| Fund for Global Human Rights Washington, DC | General operations, latin America justice, children's rights program and civic futures | $2,740,000 |
| American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Inc New York, NY | General operating support and program support for voting, lgbt, and women's rights | $2,550,000 |
| The Agency Fund San Francisco, CA | General Operating Support | $2,500,000 |
| Innovations for Poverty Action a Nonprofit Corporation Washington, DC | Epsd program - evidence consolidation on soft-skills in workforce development | $2,250,000 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA | Jobs and opportunity initiative - soft skills consolidation research | $2,250,000 |
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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 | $134,402,548 | $329,254,342 | $372,107,738 | $326,037,199 | 1,101 | $372,930,519 | $9,226,778 | $10,528,388 |
| 2023 | $180,009,489 | $374,958,422 | $319,823,556 | $276,012,426 | 997 | $326,159,935 | $8,438,403 | $11,404,268 |
| 2022 | $74,100,034 | $285,365,023 | $329,816,865 | $287,931,192 | 1,064 | $331,397,256 | $1,039,501 | $9,610,328 |
| 2021 | $117,589,910 | $175,211,153 | $309,369,953 | $273,312,703 | 1,067 | — | $206,148 | $13,512,257 |
| 2020 | $251,456,536 | $608,288,807 | $461,495,867 | $428,190,410 | 1,091 | — | $1,456,216 | $12,486,250 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc reported a distributable amount of $10.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Wellspring’s stated mission was to support the realization of human rights and social and economic justice for all people. Its website describes an approach rooted in respect for human dignity and in giving agency to the people whose interests social justice movements seek to advance.
Examples of organizations receiving Wellspring grants in 2024 illustrate the range of its support. American Jewish World Service says it works to realize human rights and end poverty in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Human Rights Watch says it investigates and exposes abuses and presses those with power to respect rights and secure justice. NEO Philanthropy says it supports movements for justice by connecting changemakers and funders, supporting emerging leaders and movements, and directing resources to groups working for change. The Windward Fund says it advances public awareness and grantmaking related to conservation, climate and environmental issues, sustainable food systems, and protection of natural resources.
Grantmaking
In 2024, Wellspring reported 1,101 grants totaling $326,037,199. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $9,750,000, and the median grant was $200,000. Large 2024 grants included $9,750,000 to American Jewish World Service, $6,500,000 to NEO Philanthropy, $4,875,000 to Human Rights Watch, $3,000,000 to the NAACP Empowerment Programs, and $2,950,000 to the Windward Fund.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists John R. Taylor as president and trustee; C. Frederick Taylor, W. Myles Taylor, and Jennifer Reynoso as trustees; Kristen Gurdin as general counsel and secretary; Raymond Eng as treasurer and director of finance; and Michael Hirschhorn as foreign grants officer. It also lists BLTN Holdings LLC as a member.
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc is led by John R. Taylor, President & Trustee on every filing since 2020; 4 of 8 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
John R. Taylor
President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$583K (2020) → $916K (2024)
Jennifer Reynoso
Trustee
Secretary & General Counsel → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$407K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Raymond Eng
Treasurer & Director of Finance
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$204K (2020) → $379K (2024)
W. Myles Taylor
Trustee
Vice President & Trustee → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$504K (2020) → $0 (2024)
C. Fred Taylor
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Hirschhorn
Foreign Grants Officer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$16K (2020) → $27K (2024)
Kristen Gurdin
General Counsel & Secretary
Secretary → General Counsel & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$366K (2023) → $611K (2024)
Bltn Holdings LLC
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $916K, to John R Taylor (President/Trustee). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc
How much does Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc give each year?
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc gave $326.0M across 1,101 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $276.0M across 997 grants.
What is Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc's typical grant size?
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc's median grant in 2024 was $200,000, and its average grant was $296,128, across 1,101 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc that year got $294K on average.
Where does Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc give grants?
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc's top state is New York, with 22% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (18%) and California (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (148 grants), New York, NY (137 grants), Oakland, CA (39 grants) and San Francisco, CA (34 grants).
Does Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 41% of Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (447 of 1,101) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Advancing LGBTQI Rights" (46 grants), "Advancing Women's Rights" (40 grants) and "Advancing Racial Justice" (39 grants).
Who are Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc's largest grantees?
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Neo Philanthropy Inc ($12,650,000 across 12 grants), American Jewish World Service Inc ($10,250,000 across 2 grants) and New Venture Fund ($5,657,000 across 14 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($70,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 9% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc?
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc reported $134.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $372.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $10.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc fund?
Wellspring’s stated mission was to support the realization of human rights and social and economic justice for all people. Its website describes an approach rooted in respect for human dignity and in giving agency to the people whose interests social justice movements seek to advance. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc?
Wellspring states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc's EIN?
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-3692921. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
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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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/wellspring-philanthropic-fund-inc-morg_e53be046840a40f1863a6e68a8e95c8e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_223692921_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/wellspring-philanthropic-fund-inc-morg_e53be046840a40f1863a6e68a8e95c8e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Wellspring Philanthropic Fund 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.
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