Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc
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
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.
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
States
Cities
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.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Accelerate Change Inc ($2,000,000), Alliance for Youth Organizing ($2,000,000), Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund ($1,250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 9TO5 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WORKING WOMEN INC MILWAUKEE, WI | ADVANCING WOMEN'S RIGHTS | $100,000 |
| A BETTER BALANCE NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $200,000 |
| A HEALTHIER DEMOCRACY INC BOSTON, MA | HEALTHCARE VOTING POLICY & RESEARCH PROJECTS | $250,000 |
| A NEW WAY OF LIFE REENTRY PROJECT LOS ANGELES, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $300,000 |
| AAPI CIVIC ENGAGEMENT FUND WASHINGTON, DC | ADVANCING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT | $1,000,000 |
| ACCELERATE CHANGE INC BOSTON, MA | EXPANDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY | $200,000 |
| ACCELERATE CHANGE INC BOSTON, MA | EXPANDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY | $400,000 |
| ACCELERATE CHANGE INC BOSTON, MA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $2,000,000 |
| ACCESS NOW BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $250,000 |
| ACTION CANADA FOR SEXUAL HEALTH AND RIGHTS | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $150,000 |
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
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BLTN HOLDINGS LLC | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| C FRED TAYLOR | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JOHN R TAYLOR | PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE | 40 | $916,072 |
| W MYLES TAYLOR | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JENNIFER REYNOSO | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| KRISTEN GURDIN | GENERAL COUNSEL & SECRETARY | 40 | $610,719 |
| RAYMOND ENG | TREASURER/DIRECTOR OF FINANCE | 40 | $378,602 |
| MICHAEL HIRSCHHORN | FOREIGN GRANTS OFFICER | 2 | $26,663 |
Recent Activity & Status
Recent developments and announcements
**Wind-Down Timeline:**
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 FoundationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc fund?
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 • Strategi…
How do I apply for a grant from Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: Approximately $276-326 million • Grant range: $50,000 to $2,000,000 • Average grant size: $276,843 • Number of grants: 996-997 grants annually (2023-2024) • Total grants distributed (2017-2023): $1,939,320,589 **Application Process:** 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…
Where does Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc make grants?
The foundation supports initiatives across: • United States • Africa • Central and South America • International locations including London and Nairobi
What size grants does Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc award?
In 2024, Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc awarded 1,101 grants totaling $326.0M — an average of about $296K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc reported a distributable amount of $10.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
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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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