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The John And Marilyn Wells Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.3M
Grant Range
$0K - $1.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,281,000
  • Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: N/A (trustee discretion)
  • Grant Range: $70 - $1,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: California (primary), also NY, HI, CO, GA, MA, OR

Contact Details

  • Phone: (818) 774-1000
  • Address: 6345 Balboa Blvd Ste 375, Encino, CA 91316
  • Website: storiesfrontline.org (foundation initiative)
  • Email: Not publicly available
  • Application Process: Does not accept unsolicited applications

Overview

Established in 2002 by Emmy-winning producer John Wells (ER, The West Wing, Shameless) and clinical psychologist Dr. Marilyn Wells, this private foundation distributes approximately $1.3 million annually to address homelessness, domestic violence, and arts education. With assets of $13.6 million, the foundation made 42 grants in 2024, averaging $42,391 per grant. Their signature initiative, Stories From The Frontline, elevates lived experiences of formerly homeless individuals to build community support for housing solutions. The foundation operates through trustee discretion, supporting preselected organizations primarily in California, with John Wells leveraging his entertainment industry connections and Dr. Wells her involvement with United Way's Home For Good and the Mayor's Fund for Los Angeles.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation distributes grants through trustee discretion with no formal programs, but consistent patterns show:

  • Housing and Homelessness Support: $70 - $1,000,000 (largest share of funding)
  • Domestic Violence Services: Variable amounts for women and children escaping violence
  • Arts Education: Support for cultural and educational initiatives
  • Entertainment Industry Charities: Significant support to MPTF and related organizations

Priority Areas

  • Ending homelessness through innovative housing solutions
  • Housing unhoused college students and youth aging out of foster care
  • Supporting women and children affected by domestic violence
  • Arts and culture education programs
  • Entertainment industry charitable organizations
  • Trauma-informed supportive services

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation does not:

  • Accept unsolicited applications
  • Fund individuals directly
  • Support organizations outside their preselected network
  • Focus on areas outside their core mission priorities

Governance and Leadership

John Wells (Co-Chair): Emmy-winning writer, director, and producer known for creating and producing ER, The West Wing, Shameless, Third Watch, Southland, and Animal Kingdom. Former president of the Writers Guild of America West and current member of the Motion Picture & Television Fund Board of Governors. During COVID-19, he mobilized entertainment industry colleagues to match the foundation's $250,000 MPTF pledge, raising $750,000 total.

Dr. Marilyn Wells, Psy.D. (Co-Chair): Clinical psychologist and philanthropist dedicated to addressing homelessness, foster care, and domestic violence. Works as consultant and fundraiser for United Way's Home For Good, the Mayor's Fund for Los Angeles, and the Center for Strategic Partnerships. Actively involved in Los Angeles housing advocacy and hosts Stories From The Frontline events throughout the city.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations chosen at the trustees' discretion. All grants are awarded through established relationships and strategic partnerships.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's documented patterns and leadership involvement:

  • Stories From The Frontline Events: The foundation hosts storytelling events throughout Los Angeles featuring formerly homeless individuals. Attending these provides direct access to foundation leadership
  • Dr. Wells' Professional Networks: Organizations can connect through United Way's Home For Good, Mayor's Fund for Los Angeles, or Center for Strategic Partnerships where Dr. Wells serves as consultant
  • Entertainment Industry Connections: John Wells' involvement with MPTF and entertainment industry philanthropy creates pathways for industry-related charities
  • Los Angeles Housing Coalitions: The foundation actively participates in LA's Everyone In initiative and similar collaborative efforts addressing homelessness
  • Specific Focus Alignment: Organizations successfully housing college students (like LA Room & Board) or supporting foster youth aging out have gained foundation support through demonstrated impact

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants made at trustee discretion without formal timeline

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only funding

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process

Application Success Factors

Based on analysis of funded organizations and foundation leadership statements:

Demonstrated Alignment with Core Issues: LA Room & Board received support specifically for housing homeless college students across four houses with 190 beds - directly addressing the foundation's focus on unhoused students and foster youth.

Storytelling and Lived Experience: The foundation's Stories From The Frontline initiative shows they value organizations that elevate voices of those with lived experience. Dr. Wells stated the platform "galvanizes local residents and communities to support housing initiatives."

Collaborative Approach: Organizations connected to United Way's Home For Good, the Mayor's Fund, or similar coalitions where Dr. Wells is active have higher visibility with the foundation.

Entertainment Industry Connections: MPTF received a $250,000 COVID-19 pledge that John Wells expanded to $750,000 through industry connections, demonstrating the value of entertainment sector ties.

Housing Innovation: The foundation supports the Sunnyside 5 program (with Supervisor Holly Mitchell) housing 14 unhoused college and trade school students, showing preference for innovative housing models.

Geographic Proximity: 2024 grants primarily went to California organizations, especially Los Angeles area, with limited support to NY, HI, CO, GA, MA, and OR.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Relationship-based funding only - This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications; connections must be built through their networks and initiatives • Attend Stories From The Frontline events - These LA-based gatherings provide the most direct access to foundation leadership • Connect through established partners - United Way's Home For Good, Mayor's Fund LA, and Center for Strategic Partnerships offer pathways to Dr. Wells • Focus on housing innovation - Foundation prioritizes organizations with creative solutions for homeless college students, foster youth aging out, and domestic violence survivors • Leverage entertainment connections - Organizations with ties to the entertainment industry can access John Wells' extensive network • Demonstrate lived experience integration - Foundation values organizations that elevate voices of those they serve, not just provide services • California organizations have advantage - While they fund nationally, the vast majority of grants stay in California, particularly Los Angeles

References

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