The John and Marilyn Wells Family Foundation
Invitation OnlyEncino, California · EIN 68-0526427 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$1.3M
Organizations funded42
Typical grant$5,000
Total assets$15.8M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $1,000 and $25,000.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2024 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
26% of grants went outside California.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California-School of Cinematic Art | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $500,000 |
| Alexandria House | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $100,000 |
| Entertainment Community Fund | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $100,000 |
| Los Angeles Room & Board | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $100,000 |
| Motion Picture & Television Fund | Woodland Hills, CA | Unrestricted | $100,000 |
| Sunnyside Baptist Church | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $100,000 |
| Los Angeles Philharmonic Association | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| Corporation for Supportive Housing | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $45,000 |
| National Foster Youth Institute | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Southern California Grantmakers | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| UCLA | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Butterfly's Haven | Beverly Hills, CA | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Mayors Fund for Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| United Way | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Usc Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Big Sunday | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $7,500 |
| A New Way of Life Rentry Project | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Downtown Womens Center | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Nga Hancock Park | Encino, CA | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Pancreatic Cancer Action Network | Manhattan Beach, CA | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Providence St Joseph Foundation | Burbank, CA | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Sbes Parent Teacher Association | Haleiwa, HI | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| The Episcopal School of Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles Inc | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Safe Place for Youth | Venice, CA | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| St James Food Pantry | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| The Diane Fossey Gorilla Fund International | Atlanta, GA | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| The Writers Guild Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Kcrw Foundation Inc | Santa Monica, CA | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| Liberty Hill Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| Aclu Foundation of Southern California | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Bravo Vail | Vail, CO | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Casa of Los Angeles | Monterey Park, CA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Children's Action Network | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Doctors Without Borders | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Funders Together to End Homelessness | Boston, MA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Girls Incorporated | Culver City, CA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity International | Americus, GA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Hawaiian Islands Land Trust | Honolulu, HI | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Kauai Food Bank | Lihue, HI | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| My Dog Is My Home | Ridgewood, NY | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Social Justice Partners LA | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,281,000 | 42 |
| 2023 | $1,780,425 | 42 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 14, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202523189349101732
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 68-0526427
- Profile updated Nov 5, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.