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Franklin H and Ruth L Wells Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Franklin H and Ruth L Wells Foundation

Its FY2026 filing reports that it accepted unsolicited grant applications.

$306k
Granted FY2026still arriving
19
Grants FY2026still arriving
2
States reached
$50k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0199% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2021 to 2025.

Education$610kHuman Services$200kHealth$200kAnimals$65kArts & Culture$64kPhilanthropy$60kHousing & Shelter$57kFood & Nutrition$47kOther$0
02FY2026 · 19 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2026

  • Under $10k7 grants · $39k
  • $10k–50k10 grants · $167k
  • $50k–250k2 grants · $100k
$10,000
Median grant
2
States reached
$6.2M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
MESSIAH UNIVERSITY$50,000
SALVATION ARMY$50,000
CAPITAL REGION LITERACY COUNCIL$29,500
TRINE UNIVERSITY$25,000
MIDWEST FOOD BANK PENNSYLVANIA$20,000
UNITED WAY OF THE CAPITAL REGION$20,000
JOSHUA GROUP$15,000
BETHESDA MISSION$15,000
HISTORIC HARRISBURG ASSOCIATION$12,500
WILDHEART INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES$10,000
COMMUNITY AID$10,000
COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF$10,000
NATIONAL CIVIL WAR MUSEUM$8,000
HANNA'S PANTRY$7,500
HARRISBURG SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION$5,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY21–26, $164k) land where the poverty rate runs at 11%, against an area that typically sits at 7%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 7%COMMUNITY AID: $10k → 9%MIDWEST FOOD BANK PENNSYLVANIA: $20k → 12%MIDWEST FOOD BANK PENNSYLVANIA: $20k → 12%NEW HOPE MINISTRIES: $25k → 8%MIDWEST FOOD BANK PENNSYLVANIA: $17k → 12%MIDWEST FOOD BANK PENNSYLVANIA: $10k → 12%NEW HOPE MINISTRIES: $10k → 8%HOSPICE OF CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA: $20k → 12%HOSPICE OF CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA: $10k → 12%PAXTON MINISTRIES: $14k → 12%PAXTON MINISTRIES: $8k → 12%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

83%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$1.4M · 24 repeat orgs$296k to everyone else

24 repeat relationships: 11 still active in FY2026, 13 since wound down; 8 grantees were first funded in FY2026 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

24
11

Total granted

$1.4M
$235k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+11%
+11%

Still filing today

75%
73%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2026, 80% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $61k went to new ones.

50%100%’21’22’23’24’25’26
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’21’22’23’24’25’26
EducationHuman ServicesArts & CultureHealthPublic BenefitPhilanthropyOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • TU
    Trine University
    5× · 2021–2026 · $173k · revenue +83%
  • MU
    MESSIAH UNIVERSITY
    5× · 2021–2026 · $165k · revenue +12%
  • TC
    THE CAPITAL REGION LITERACY COUNCIL
    4× · 2022–2026 · $107k · revenue +56%

Funded once

  • PS
    Penn State Healthgraduated
    one grant, 2021 · $100k · revenue +60%
  • MU
    Monmouth University PA Program
    one grant, 2022 · $30k
  • IG
    Individual grant recipient
    one grant, 2022 · $26k
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Upmc Pinnacle Hospitals

Upmc pinnacle hospitals mission as a charitable organization is dedicatied to maintaining and improving the health and quality of life for all persons of the central pennsylvania area.

Health
2
Harrisburg Regional Chamber

The mission of the harrisburg regional chamber is to be a catalyst for policy change, for job creation and for business growth in cumberland, dauphin, and perry counties that enhances the quality of life in our region.

Community Improvement
3
Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center

Penn state health hampden medical center's mission is to continually improve the health and well-being of the people in pennsylvania. the organization provides patients with excellent, compassionate and culturally responsive and equitable…

Health
4
Adamstown Area Library

The mission of the adamstown library is to maintain and improve the quality of life in our community by providing access to cultural, intellectual, and informational resources and programs to promote life-long learning for all ages. the…

Education
5
Monongahela Valley Hospital Inc

The mission of penn highlands mon valley is to enhance the health of the residents of the mid-monongahela valley area by providing outstanding healthcare services.

Health
6
Penn Highlands Healthcare Inc

Our community-based and controlled health care system exists to improve regional access to a wide array of premier primary care and advanced health services while supporting a reverence for life and the worth and dignity of each individual.

Health
7
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

Founded in 1827, the pennsylvania horticultural society (phs) uses horticulture to advance the health and well-being of the greater philadelphia region. (continued in sch o)phs's work focuses on four impact priorities: creating healthy…

Environment
8
Delaware Valley University

See schedule o.we are inspired by the ideals of our founder who, in 1896, emphasized respect for all people and ideas, who honored knowledge with practice, progress and the common good. our historical commitment to experiential learning…

—
9
Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center

The mission of penn state health holy spirit medical center is to nurture the healing ministry of the church, supported by education and research. fidelity to the gospel urges us to emphasize human dignity and social justice as we create…

Health
10
Penn Hills Library

A welcoming community center that provides information and equitable access to space, collections, materials, programs and services that enrich the quality of life and facilitate lifelong learning.

Education
11
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry

The pennsylvania chamber of business and industry is the largest broad-based business association in pennsylvania. thousands of members throughout the commonwealth employ greater than 50 percent of pennsylvania's private workforce.…

—
12
Center for Community Resources Inc

To coordinate services among private and government agencies for specialized populations to ensure service continuity, reduce duplication, and assist individuals and families in accessing appropriate mental health, intellectual…

Health
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Dauphin County Library System; the most unlike its peers is Skip Program. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

31 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2026.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2026, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 31 of the 43 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
4
Early backer (in before they grew)
31/31
Grantees still filing
24/31
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

SALVATION ARMY: $215,000 · OtherSALVATION ARMYPENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY: $132,000 · OtherPENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITYNATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY PA: $65,000 · OtherNATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY PABETHESDA MISSION: $45,000 · OtherBETHESDA MISSIONTHE SUSQUEHANNA CHORALE INC: $30,000 · OtherMonmouth University PA Program: $30,000 · OtherIndividual grant recipient: $26,000 · OtherWILDHEART: $25,000 · Other+12 more: $133,840 · Other+12 moreTrine University: $172,500 · EducationTrine UniversityMESSIAH UNIVERSITY: $165,000 · EducationMESSIAH UNIVERSITYTHE CAPITAL REGION LITERACY COUNCIL: $106,750 · EducationTHE CAPITAL REGION LITERACY COUNCILTHE JOSHUA GROUP: $60,000 · EducationTHE JOSHUA GROUPDAUPHIN COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM: $35,000 · EducationDAUPHIN COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEMTHE NATIVITY SCHOOL OF HARRISBURG: $30,000 · Education+2 more: $25,000 · EducationMIDWEST FOOD BANK NFP: $67,000 · Human ServicesMIDWEST FO…NEW HOPE MINISTRIES INC: $35,000 · Human ServicesNEW HOPE M…HOSPICE OF CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA: $30,000 · Human ServicesHOSPICE OF…PAXTON STREET HOME BENEVOLENT SOCIETY: $21,900 · Human ServicesPAXTON STR…COMMUNITY AID INC: $10,000 · Human ServicesCOMMUNITY …Penn State Health: $100,000 · HealthUNITED DISABILITIES SERVICES FOUNDATION: $15,000 · HealthGAUDENZIA INC: $12,000 · HealthUNITED WAY OF THE CAPITAL REGION: $80,000 · PhilanthropyHARRISBURG SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION INC: $15,000 · Arts & CultureHISTORICAL SOCIETY DAUPHIN COUNTY: $10,000 · Arts & CultureNATIONAL CIVIL WAR MUSEUM: $8,000 · Arts & CulturePERRY COUNTY COUNCIL OF THE ARTS: $6,405 · Arts & CultureMUSIC AT GRETNA INC: $3,000 · Arts & CultureVETERANS OUTREACH OF PENNSYLVANIA: $35,000 · Public Benefit
Other$701,840Education$594,250Human Services$163,900Health$127,000Philanthropy$80,000Arts & Culture$42,405Public Benefit$35,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetTrine University: $172,500 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetMESSIAH UNIVERSITY: $165,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetTHE CAPITAL REGION LITERACY COUNCIL: $106,750 over 4y, 22% of budgetPenn State Health: $100,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetUNITED WAY OF THE CAPITAL REGION: $80,000 over 4y, 0.2% of budgetMIDWEST FOOD BANK NFP: $67,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetTHE JOSHUA GROUP: $60,000 over 4y, 0.9% of budgetDAUPHIN COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM: $35,000 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetNEW HOPE MINISTRIES INC: $35,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetVETERANS OUTREACH OF PENNSYLVANIA: $35,000 over 2y, 1.3% of budgetTHE SUSQUEHANNA CHORALE INC: $30,000 over 4y, 3.0% of budgetHOSPICE OF CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA: $30,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetTHE NATIVITY SCHOOL OF HARRISBURG: $30,000 over 3y, 0.9% of budgetWILDHEART: $25,000 over 3y, 0.9% of budgetTHE ARC OF CUMBERLAND AND PERRY COUNTIES: $22,840 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetPAXTON STREET HOME BENEVOLENT SOCIETY: $21,900 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetHARRISBURG AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION: $15,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetUNITED DISABILITIES SERVICES FOUNDATION: $15,000 over 1y, 0.9% of budgetHARRISBURG SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION INC: $15,000 over 3y, 0.2% of budgetGAUDENZIA INC: $12,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE VISTA FOUNDATION: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetCENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA FRIENDS OF JAZZ: $10,000 over 2y, 3.2% of budgetHISTORICAL SOCIETY DAUPHIN COUNTY: $10,000 over 1y, 4.3% of budgetMake-A-Wish Foundation of Greater PA and West Virginia Inc: $10,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetPERRY COUNTY COUNCIL OF THE ARTS: $6,405 over 1y, 1.5% of budgetMUSIC AT GRETNA INC: $3,000 over 1y, 0.6% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

The Foundation for En…The S Wilson and Grac…McCormick Family Fdn …The Donald B and Doro…Joseph T and Helen M …John Crain Kunkel Fou…Anne & Philip Glatfel…United Way of the Cap…Alexander and Jane Bo…Kenneth Bankert Found…Hall FoundationLawrence L & Julia Z …
The Foundation for Enhancing CommunitiesPA42.3× affinity18 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The Foundation for Enhancing Communities · The S Wilson and Grace M Pollock Foundation · McCormick Family Fdn Agent 80397 · The Donald B and Dorothy L Stabler Foundation · Joseph T and Helen M Simpson Foundation · John Crain Kunkel Foundation · Anne & Philip Glatfelter III Family Foundation · United Way of the Capital Region · Alexander and Jane Boyd Ta Foundation · Kenneth Bankert Foundation Inc · Hall Foundation · Lawrence L & Julia Z Hoverter Charitable Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Franklin H and Ruth L Wells Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Franklin H and Ruth L Wells Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%2%6%14%25%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    12report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 43 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2026, released 2026. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Franklin H and Ruth L Wells’ filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home