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Cliff & Norma Wells Foundation

EIN 31-1783158 · Buchanan, VA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceWeak41 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CLIFF AND NORMA WELLS FOUNDATION MISSION IS TO SUPPORT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE LISTED SEPARATELY IN SCHEDULE A OF THIS TAX RETURN. THESE SUPPORTED ORGANIZATIONS COLLECTIVELY SUPPORT YOUTH ACTIVITIES, HUMAN NEEDS, EDUCATION, SCIENCE, HEALTH SERVICES, SOCIAL SERVICE AND RELIEF PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS AND THE PROMOTION OF THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST ROUND THE WORLD INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION PROJECTS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY AND CHRISTIAN YOUTH-ORIENTED PROGRAMS.

Income
$154,923
Spending
$178,767
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (religion, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 41 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (religion, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (5)
  1. $50,000 spent. TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH GENERAL FUND ($10,000), AND TO SUPPORT REPAIRS, RENOVATION, AND REMODEL COSTS ($40,000).
  2. $29,265 spent. GRANT TO YOUNG LIFE BOTETOURT TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR YOUTH CAMP IN BOTETOURT COUNTY, VA.
  3. $25,000 spent. GRANT TO BEREA COLLEGE TO PROVIDE COST OF ATTENDENCE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS IN HONOR OF NORMA PRESTON WELLS '52.
  4. $25,000 spent. CONTRIBUTIONS TO AMERICAN ENDOWMENT FUND FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF VARIOUS CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS.
  5. $15,000 spent. GRANT TO MILLIGAN UNIVERSITY TO SUPPORT HEALTH SERVICES, COUNCELING CENTER, AND SPIRITUAL FORMATION PROGRAMS

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending November 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 2001.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.