William & Karen Tell Foundation
William & Karen Tell Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations in multiple states, including cultural, educational, religious, and animal-welfare organizations.
William & Karen Tell Foundation at a glance
In short: William & Karen Tell Foundation gave $96K across 81 grants in 2024 (avg $1K), top state California. 44% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $95,715
- +22.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 81
- +15.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,182
- +6.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $500
- Total assets
- $3,361,445
- +0.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 44% first-time grantees (35 of 80, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (27% 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 William & Karen Tell Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. No application process or required materials are stated.
- Contact
Mailing address: Foundation Source 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
Phone: (800) 839-1754
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who William & Karen Tell Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Houston Symphony Society ($10K). Together the top 10 received $52K.
Grant Size Distribution
325 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 321 grants of 325 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in California (27%), Texas (20%), Maryland (16%), Virginia (11%), and New York (5%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 81 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is William & Karen Tell Foundation open to new grantees?
44%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 35 of 80 grantees (44%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $539; repeat grants $2K. How we count
Medians: $250 first-time, $1K repeat.
- 55% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 69% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 96% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $78K (2023) to $304K (2021). In 2024 it made 81 grants totaling $96K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Houston Symphony Society Houston, TX | General & Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| International Printing Museum Foundation Commerce, CA | General & Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| All Saints Church Chevy Chase, MD | General & Unrestricted | $7,500 |
| Houston Grand Opera Association Inc Houston, TX | General & Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Commentary Inc New York, NY | General & Unrestricted | $4,000 |
| St Luke School McLean, VA | General & Unrestricted | $4,000 |
| Center for Orangutan and Chimpanzee Conservation I Wauchula, FL | General & Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Montgomery County Humane Society Inc Rockville, MD | General & Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| New Dominion Chorale Inc McLean, VA | General & Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Rhode Island School of Design Providence, RI | General & Unrestricted | $2,500 |
Ready to take the next step with William & Karen Tell Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation files Form 990-PF.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,361,445 | $308,341 | $295,865 | $95,715 | 81 | $247,955 | $261,231 | $258,604 |
| 2023 | $3,348,969 | $8,238 | $250,407 | $77,985 | 70 | $203,479 | $47,611 | $243,127 |
| 2022 | $3,591,138 | $-33,757 | $268,107 | $109,350 | 54 | $220,327 | $37,342 | $244,358 |
| 2021 | $3,893,002 | $107,164 | $445,676 | $304,250 | 61 | $394,269 | $56,987 | $284,441 |
| 2020 | $4,231,514 | $162,659 | $412,467 | $298,000 | 59 | — | $121,472 | $251,975 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, William & Karen Tell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $259K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
A foundation mission is not stated. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations in the arts and culture, education, religion, publishing, and animal welfare. For example, the Houston Symphony says its mission is to engage audiences through orchestral performances and educational and community programs; the Montgomery County Humane Society says it works to end animal homelessness through adoptions, education, and outreach. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 81 grants totaling $95,715. Grants ranged from $100 to $10,000, with a median of $500.
Among the largest grants were $10,000 each to the Houston Symphony Society and International Printing Museum Foundation; $7,500 to All Saints Church; $5,000 to Houston Grand Opera Association; and $4,000 each to Commentary Inc. and St Luke School. Other grants included $2,500 to New Dominion Chorale, Rhode Island School of Design, and Montgomery County Humane Society.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Caroline Tell Falk (director, chair, and vice president), Katie Falk (director and secretary), Karen Tell (director and treasurer), Madeleine W Tell (secretary and director), and William F Tell (director and president).
William & Karen Tell Foundation is led by William F Tell, Director & President on every filing since 2020; 4 of 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
William F Tell
Director & President
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$19K (2020) → $44K (2024)
Caroline Tell Falk
Director, Chair & Vice President
Director, Secretary & Chair → Director, Sec*, Chair & Vice President, 2021
Director, Sec*, Chair & Vice President → Director, Chair & Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$19K (2020) → $35K (2024)
Katie Falk
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
$6K (2021) → $18K (2024)
Madeleine W Tell
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2023
10 hrs/week
$13K (2024)
Karen Tell
Director & Treasurer
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 $44K, to William F Tell (Dir, Pres). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about William & Karen Tell Foundation
How much does William & Karen Tell Foundation give each year?
William & Karen Tell Foundation gave $96K across 81 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $78K across 70 grants.
What is William & Karen Tell Foundation's typical grant size?
William & Karen Tell Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $500, and its average grant was $1,182, across 81 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from William & Karen Tell Foundation that year got $539 on average.
Where does William & Karen Tell Foundation give grants?
William & Karen Tell Foundation's top state is California, with 27% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Texas (20%) and Maryland (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (10 grants), Washington, DC (7 grants), Los Angeles, CA (6 grants) and Rockville, MD (4 grants).
Does William & Karen Tell Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 84% of William & Karen Tell Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (68 of 81) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are William & Karen Tell Foundation's largest grantees?
William & Karen Tell Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Houston Symphony Society ($10,000), International Printing Museum Foundation ($10,000) and All Saints Church ($7,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is William & Karen Tell Foundation?
William & Karen Tell Foundation reported $3.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $248K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $259K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does William & Karen Tell Foundation fund?
A foundation mission is not stated. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations in the arts and culture, education, religion, publishing, and animal welfare. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from William & Karen Tell Foundation?
The foundation 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 William & Karen Tell Foundation's EIN?
William & Karen Tell Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-2777617. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does William & Karen Tell Foundation 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 September 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). William & Karen Tell Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/william-and-karen-tell-foundation-morg_bf7f1b6f0e4a40a6b87277d07f9c656c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_222777617_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{William \& Karen Tell Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/william-and-karen-tell-foundation-morg_bf7f1b6f0e4a40a6b87277d07f9c656c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 William & Karen Tell Foundation'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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