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Wells Fargo Foundation

Annual Giving
$217.6M
Grant Range
$50K - $5.0M
Decision Time
4mo

Wells Fargo Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $217,631,092 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Typically 120 days (approximately 17 weeks)
  • Grant Range: $50,000 - $5,000,000 (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: National (aligned with Wells Fargo banking footprint)

Contact Details

Overview

Established in 1979, the Wells Fargo Foundation is one of the nation's largest corporate foundations with over $217 million in annual giving as of 2023. The foundation operates as a company-sponsored private foundation affiliated with Wells Fargo & Company. In 2019, Wells Fargo Foundation launched a new philanthropic strategy anchored around unlocking economic opportunity for people and communities by addressing housing affordability, small business growth, and financial health. As Jon Campbell, former President of the Wells Fargo Foundation, stated: "We have always been known as a good check writer," and "not the problem solver we wanted to be." This strategic shift reflects the foundation's commitment to deeper community impact. Wells Fargo has supported American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities for more than 60 years and is recognized as the leading provider of capital and financial services to tribes and tribal-owned enterprises.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Open for Business Fund - Technical Assistance Program

  • Grant Range: $250,000 - $1,500,000
  • Total Available: $50 million
  • Focus: Supporting small business owners ready to scale operations or grow revenue
  • Application Method: Invitation-based process
  • Larger grants typically awarded to national nonprofits with compelling sub-granting strategies

Invest Native Initiative

  • Grant Range: $500,000 typical awards
  • Total Commitment: $20 million (part of broader $50 million five-year commitment)
  • Focus: Advancing economic opportunities in Native American communities
  • Priority Areas: Tribal financial success, advancing tribal homeownership, advancing energy sovereignty, and capacity building for Native nonprofits
  • Geographic Focus: Six states with significant Native populations

Wells Fargo Builds (Housing Partnership)

  • Annual Program: Partnership with Habitat for Humanity
  • Recent Award: $6.3 million (2024) supporting 280+ affordable homes in 175 communities
  • Application Method: Through partner organizations

Financial Opportunity Centers

  • Grant Range: $1.5 million (multi-year commitments)
  • Focus: Bundled employment services, financial coaching, and income support navigation

Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2)

  • Focus: Clean energy and agricultural technology development
  • Grant Range: $250,000 for technology development, testing, and field validation
  • Total Program: $30 million

Priority Areas

The Wells Fargo Foundation focuses on three strategic funding priorities:

1. Housing Access and Affordability

  • Reducing the cost burden of housing
  • Increasing access to safe, affordable places to live
  • Transitional housing, rentals, and homeownership
  • Supporting individuals and families historically shut out of the housing market
  • Home rehabilitation and accessibility modifications for older adults and veterans

2. Financial Opportunity (Financial Health)

  • Creating pathways to economic advancement for low-income people
  • Financial inclusion and literacy programs
  • Debt reduction and savings programs
  • Building financially resilient families

3. Small Business Growth

  • Supporting underserved small business owners and entrepreneurs
  • Access to capital
  • Capacity building and technical assistance
  • Market growth opportunities
  • Job creation and career readiness programs

Additional Focus: Environmental Sustainability

  • Support for a low-carbon economy through clean energy innovation
  • Agricultural technology advancement

What They Don't Fund

The Wells Fargo Foundation does not fund:

  • Individuals
  • Purchase of advertising
  • Start-up funding for new organizations
  • Political campaigns or activities
  • Organizations designed primarily for lobbying
  • Endowment campaigns
  • Video or film production
  • Promotional items
  • Labor activities
  • Vehicles
  • Travel (including student trips)
  • For-profit entities
  • Youth sports teams/leagues

The foundation prefers to fund programs and projects rather than unrestricted sponsorships and events, though they do provide limited sponsorship for fundraising events.

Governance and Leadership

Jon Campbell (Former President, Wells Fargo Foundation and EVP, Director of Corporate Philanthropy)

  • Served as Chairman of the Wells Fargo Foundation Board of Directors
  • Member of Wells Fargo's Management Committee
  • Led the 2019 strategic pivot toward deeper community impact

Key Leadership Quotes:

Jon Campbell on the foundation's commitment: "I don't have a crystal ball but I'm confident that philanthropic giving will always be a big part of Wells Fargo's legacy. We have such a long track record of being involved in local communities."

On community needs: "In my opinion, communities need us, all of us in the private sector, more than ever right now."

On organizational commitment: "You absolutely must have the genuine commitment of senior leadership for philanthropy to flourish in a company."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Invitation-Based Process

Wells Fargo Foundation has implemented an invitation process for grant applications. Eligible nonprofits aligned to their giving priorities who receive an invitation to apply will use the invitation code provided to access the online application portal.

For Organizations Without an Invitation

Nonprofits that have not been invited to apply but align with Wells Fargo's strategic focus areas may register and submit a Grant Interest Form through the online portal at https://www.wellsfargo.com/about/responsibility-and-impact/community-giving/grant-process/

Application Steps:

  1. Locate the appropriate foundation or program
  2. Click "Apply Online" and complete an eligibility quiz
  3. Create a new grant seeker account (you will receive activation email from donotreply@cybergrants.com)
  4. Once activated, access the Wells Fargo Philanthropic Services portal
  5. Complete all required fields and submit requested documentation
  6. You will receive an automatic confirmation email upon submission

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Tax exempt status under IRS code 501(c)(3), OR
  • Qualified governmental agency, tribal entity, or public school/school system
  • Demonstrate fiscal and administrative stability
  • Deliver services addressing critical community needs
  • Located in a county served by Wells Fargo

Decision Timeline

  • Typical Timeline: 120 days from submission to decision
  • Communication: Most applicants will have heard from Wells Fargo within 120 days
  • Follow-up: If no notification received within 30 days of posted decision date, contact the foundation
  • Reapplication: Most foundations accept only one application per year

Success Rates

The Wells Fargo Foundation made:

  • 3,182 awards in 2022
  • 3,895 awards in 2021
  • 6,634 awards in 2020

The foundation does not publicly disclose its overall application acceptance rate or success percentage. The number of awards has decreased in recent years, reflecting the strategic shift toward larger, more impactful grants rather than numerous smaller contributions.

Reapplication Policy

Most foundations administered by Wells Fargo accept only one application per year. Unsuccessful applicants should wait for the next funding cycle or until invited to reapply. Specific reapplication policies may vary by program.

Application Success Factors

Create a Compelling Narrative

According to Wells Fargo's application guidance: "Your submission should be thoughtful and concise and closely follow section guidelines. It's important that it tells a compelling story of the problem or opportunity and how funding will help your organization address the needs effectively."

Demonstrate Measurable Impact

The foundation emphasizes "ability to report quantifiable results for Wells Fargo's defined success metrics for outcomes and impact as well as share other key success measures tracked by your organization." Applications should include specific metrics and data demonstrating organizational effectiveness.

Align with Strategic Priorities

Successful applications clearly demonstrate alignment with one or more of the foundation's three strategic priorities: housing access and affordability, financial opportunity (financial health), or small business growth. The foundation has moved away from broad community giving toward focused, strategic investments.

Show Previous Impact (for repeat applicants)

The application asks: "If you received a grant from Wells Fargo in a prior year, explain the impact of that funding. What were the benefits, successes, and lessons learned? Why should you receive continued support?" This demonstrates accountability and effective stewardship.

Include Detailed Project Information

Applications should provide "specifics on your project/program, including how the funding will be used and proposed marketing and communications plan." Vague or general descriptions are less competitive.

Executive Summary Best Practices

The executive summary should "give a brief overview of who you serve, the need for support, what your project does, and what impact you plan to expand or sustain." This should be concise but comprehensive.

Examples of Recently Funded Projects:

  • Safe Alliance (Charlotte): $250,000 toward building and operating a new shelter for battered women
  • Center for Employment Services (Charlotte): $100,000 for workforce development programs
  • Lakota Funds: $500,000 to work with South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition to expand housing access
  • Native Community Capital: $500,000 partnering with New Mexico Tribal Homeownership Coalition to strengthen homeownership
  • Rebuilding Together: $1.2 million for repairs and accessibility modifications to 75 homes for older adults and veterans in 46 communities
  • LISC Upstate South Carolina: $1.5 million for Financial Opportunity Center program expansion

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation process is key: The foundation primarily works through invitations. If not invited, submit a Grant Interest Form to get on their radar. Don't expect unsolicited full applications to be accepted.

  • Strategic alignment is non-negotiable: Applications must clearly align with one of the three strategic priorities (housing, financial health, small business). Generic community programs are unlikely to succeed.

  • Scale and impact matter: The foundation has shifted toward larger, more impactful grants ($250,000-$5 million range for major programs) rather than numerous small donations. Demonstrate capacity to handle significant funding.

  • Data-driven approach required: Be prepared to provide specific, quantifiable metrics and outcomes. The foundation emphasizes measurable results and requires robust impact reporting.

  • Long-term partnerships valued: The foundation increasingly works through established partner organizations (Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together, LISC). Building relationships over time enhances prospects.

  • Geographic considerations: While national in scope, funding aligns with Wells Fargo's banking footprint. Organizations in communities where Wells Fargo operates have an advantage.

  • Allow adequate time: The 120-day decision timeline means planning ahead is essential. Don't expect quick turnarounds for urgent needs.

References

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