BGBESPOKE GRANTSFind your funders free →
Grant funders / California / John and Marilyn Wells

John and Marilyn Wells

Encino, California  ·  EIN 680526427  ·  Private foundation

Based in Encino, California, John and Marilyn Wells has awarded $11.0M across 250 grants in our index of public IRS filings, with giving recorded as recently as 2024. Its largest grant on record went to Alexandria House. This profile covers its focus areas, top grant recipients, year-by-year giving, and how a nonprofit should approach it.

$1.5M
Annual giving (FY2020)
$10.6M
Total assets
250
Grants tracked
2024
Most recent grant

What John and Marilyn Wells funds

John and Marilyn Wells's giving carries a documented focus on faith-based (christian), food & agriculture, higher education, housing & homelessness, sports & recreation, and related causes.

Faith-Based (Christian)Food & AgricultureHigher EducationHousing & HomelessnessSports & RecreationYouth Development

Populations it has supported include families, foster youth, women girls, youth pop.

familiesfoster youthwomen girlsyouth pop

Grant history

The largest grants Bespoke Grants has on record for John and Marilyn Wells, by amount:

RecipientLocationGrantYear
Alexandria House
UNRESTRICTED
Los Angeles, CA$1.0M2022
University of Southern California-school of Cinematic Art
UNRESTRICTED
Los Angeles, CA$750K2022
Motion Picture & Television Fund
UNRESTRICTED
Woodland Hills, CA$550K2020
University of Southern California-school of Cinematic Art
UNRESTRICTED
Los Angeles, CA$500K2020
University of Southern California-school of Cinematic Art
UNRESTRICTED
Los Angeles, CA$500K2024
Motion Picture & Television Fund
UNRESTRICTED
Woodland Hills, CA$500K2022
University of Southern California-school of Cinematic Art
UNRESTRICTED
Los Angeles, CA$500K2018
Carnegie Mellon University
JOHN WELLS VISITING PROFESSORSHIP IN DIRECTING PROGRAM
Pittsburgh, PA$500K2018
University of Southern California-school of Cinematic Art
UNRESTRICTED
Los Angeles, CA$500K2019
Carnegie Mellon University
JOHN WELLS VISITING PROFESSORSHIP IN DIRECTING PROGRAM
Pittsburgh, PA$500K2019
University of Southern California-school of Cinematic Art
UNRESTRICTED
Los Angeles, CA$500K2023
Entertainment Community Fund
UNRESTRICTED
Los Angeles, CA$350K2023
Motion Picture & Television Fund
UNRESTRICTED
Woodland Hills, CA$300K2019
Motion Picture & Television Fund
UNRESTRICTED
Woodland Hills, CA$300K2018
Motion Picture & Television Fund
UNRESTRICTED
Woodland Hills, CA$250K2023

John and Marilyn Wells giving by year

Total grants Bespoke Grants has indexed for each filing year:

2018$1.8M
2019$1.9M
2020$1.5M
2022$2.7M
2023$1.8M
2024$1.3M

How to apply for funding from John and Marilyn Wells

John and Marilyn Wells's public IRS filing does not spell out a formal application process. Foundations of this size often give primarily to organizations they already know, so a concise letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first contact — not a full proposal.

Is John and Marilyn Wells the right funder for your nonprofit?

This page shows what John and Marilyn Wells has funded. Bespoke Grants tells you whether it fits your mission — and finds every other foundation that does. Free, no credit card.

Match my nonprofit to funders →

Frequently asked questions about John and Marilyn Wells

Does John and Marilyn Wells accept grant applications?
John and Marilyn Wells's public filing does not specify an application process. A brief letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first step with a private foundation of this size.
What does John and Marilyn Wells fund?
John and Marilyn Wells's grants focus on faith-based (christian). Recent recipients include Alexandria House, University of Southern California-school of Cinematic Art, Motion Picture & Television Fund. Its full grant history is listed above.
How much does John and Marilyn Wells give in grants?
John and Marilyn Wells reported $1.5M in grants in its most recent IRS filing (FY2020). Across all years in our data it has awarded $11.0M over 250 grants.
Where is John and Marilyn Wells located?
John and Marilyn Wells is based in Encino, California. Its IRS employer identification number (EIN) is 680526427.
How can I find foundations similar to John and Marilyn Wells?
Bespoke Grants matches your nonprofit against 225,000+ foundations like John and Marilyn Wells, ranking each by how well it fits your mission, location, and budget — with the reasoning shown. It is free to search.

Find more funders like John and Marilyn Wells

Foundations similar to John and Marilyn Wells

Other California grantmakers with overlapping priorities:

About this profile. This page is built from John and Marilyn Wells's public IRS Form 990-PF and 990 filings, indexed by Bespoke Grants alongside 13M+ grants from 225,000+ U.S. foundations. Grant figures reflect filings available to date; IRS data publishes on a 1–2 year lag. Bespoke Grants is not affiliated with John and Marilyn Wells. Always confirm current giving priorities and application procedures with the foundation directly before applying.