Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc

NEW YORK, NY EIN: 22-3692921

Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc is a private independent foundation based in New York City, established in 2000. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a focus on global grantmaking to support social justice initiatives and human rights advancement.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$134.4M

-25.3% YoY

Annual Giving

$326.0M

+18.1% YoY

Grant Count

1,101

+10.4% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$296K

+7.0% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation's mission centers on giving primarily for philanthropy, with a commitment rooted in respect for the dignity and worth of every human being. Primary funding areas include:

  • Social justice and human rights
  • Economic justice and access
  • Civic participation and democracy
  • Children and youth initiatives
  • LGBTQIA+ rights
  • Women's rights
  • People with disabilities
  • Antidiscrimination efforts
  • Ethnic and racial group rights
  • Capacity building and grantee collaboration
  • Strategic communications

Grantmaking

Wellspring does not accept or respond to unsolicited requests for funding. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis. Introductions may be made through their online contact portal, though new funding opportunities are limited given the planned closure.

Grant Range

$50,000 to $2,000,000

Average Grant

$276,843

How to Apply

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation supports initiatives across:

  • United States
  • Africa
  • Central and South America
  • International locations including London and Nairobi

Grant Distribution by State

45states
+37 more states

Cities

AlamedaAlbanyAlbuquerqueAlexandriaAllstonAmherstAnn ArborAntiochArcataArlingtonAshburnAshevilleAstoriaAtlantaAuroraAustinAzusaBaltimoreBaton RougeBelfast

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Most Recent Financial Data (2024):

  • Total assets: $134,402,548
  • Total revenue: $329,254,342
  • Total expenses: $372,107,738
  • Total liabilities: $51,200,000

Historical Context: Over 25 years of operation (2001-2017), the foundation distributed over $1.1 billion in grants supporting thousands of organizations working on social justice issues globally.

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$167M$335M$502M$669M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$134,402,548$180,009,489$74,100,034
Revenue$329,254,342$374,958,422$285,365,023
Expenses$372,107,738$319,823,556$329,816,865
Qualifying Distributions$372,930,519$326,159,935$331,397,256
Net Investment Income$9,226,778$8,438,403$1,039,501
Distributable Amount$10,528,388$11,404,268$9,610,328

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$107M$214M$321M$428M1,091 grants20201,067 grants20211,064 grants2022997 grants20231,101 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

ACCELERATE CHANGE INC$2.0MALLIANCE FOR YOUTH ORGAN…$2.0MAFRICA TRANSITIONAL JUST…$1.3MAAPI CIVIC ENGAGEMENT FUND$1.0MALL VOTING IS LOCAL$1.0MACTION CENTER ON RACE AN…$915KAFRICAN POPULATION HEALT…$825KAFRICAN CHILD POLICY FORUM$600KACTION ST LOUIS$500KAFRICHILD CENTRE LIMITED$456K

Grant Size Distribution

250 grants across all recorded years

12<$50K30$50–100K97$100–250K68$250–500K29$500K–1M13$1–5M1$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Key leadership includes:

  • John R. Taylor - President and Trustee
  • C. Frederick Taylor - Founder
  • W. Myles Taylor - Founder
  • Raymond Eng - Treasurer and Director of Finance
  • Andrew Shechtel - Vice President

The foundation was established by brothers C. Frederick Taylor, John R. Taylor, and W. Myles Taylor.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

JOHN R TAYLORPRESIDENT/TRUSTEE$916KKRISTEN GURDINGENERAL COUNSEL & SECRETARY$611KRAYMOND ENGTREASURER/DIRECTOR OF FINANCE$379KMICHAEL HIRSCHHORNFOREIGN GRANTS OFFICER$27K

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
BLTN HOLDINGS LLCMEMBER1
C FRED TAYLORTRUSTEE1
JOHN R TAYLORPRESIDENT/TRUSTEE40$916,072
W MYLES TAYLORTRUSTEE1
JENNIFER REYNOSOTRUSTEE1
KRISTEN GURDINGENERAL COUNSEL & SECRETARY40$610,719
RAYMOND ENGTREASURER/DIRECTOR OF FINANCE40$378,602
MICHAEL HIRSCHHORNFOREIGN GRANTS OFFICER2$26,663

Recent Activity & Status

Recent developments and announcements

**Wind-Down Timeline:**

2024

In August 2024, the Board of Trustees made the decision to wind down the foundation following a leadership transition and the pending retirement of the foundation's President. All operations and grantmaking will cease by or before the end of 2028.

Despite the planned closure, Wellspring remains one of the largest grantmakers in the philanthropic sector. Recent grant recipients have included the American Jewish World Service ($9,750,000), NEO Philanthropy ($6,500,000), and Human Rights Watch ($4,875,000).

STRONG ACC announces three-year, $599,448 IMPACT grant from Wellspring Foundation

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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