Creating value for the community by developing stronger nonprofit leaders and investing in the next generation of social innovations
 

Our Culture

  • Think Entrepreneurially

    Willingness to take calculated risk and apply business acumen for social good.

  • Always Innovate

    Using problem solving, idea generation and design thinking to develop new solutions.

  • Serve Our Community

    Embrace diversity, learn from others and catalyze change.

 

Foundation History

The Wells Foundation is a Columbus-based private family foundation created by Dana and Tony Wells. Pursuant to its mission, the foundation has a history of investing into social enterprises, developing new social innovation models, and advising local nonprofit organizations that are considering social enterprise since 2001.

 

2000
 
 
2001
 
2001
Funding for technology and social entrepreneurship
2003
 
2003
First social enterprise grant
2005
 
2005
First social impact investment
2006
 
2006
First IT shared services social enterprise
2007
 
2007
Redirect focus from technology grants to leadership development
2009
 
2009
Created Social Innovation and Commercialization Initiative at Ohio State
2011
 
2011
First Social Innovation award at Ohio State
2012
 
2012
First family foundation to sign technology license with Ohio State for socially benefiting technology
2013
 
2013

First social enterprise joint venture

First equity social enterprise investment

First Social Impact Investing Executive Education Program

2014
 
2014
First social enterprise accelerator project
2018
 
2018
Strategic Planning Sabbatical
2019
 
2019
On-line Social Impact Investing program with OSU College of Social Work
2020
 
2020
Developed NeighborRelief, a crowdfunding solution, to assist families impact by the pandemic with basic needs support.
2021
 
2021
Fiscal and Technology Manager for the Columbus and Franklin County Small Business Recovery Fund
2022
 
2022
Fiscal Manager for the City of Columbus American Dream Downpayment Initiative
2023
 
2023
Fiscal Manager for the City of Columbus Emergency Rental Assistance program
 
2024