Carlos and Marguerite Mason Trust

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $4,600,000 (2023)
Success Rate: Approximately 30% (7 awards from estimated 20-25 applications)
Decision Time: Applications reviewed annually; decision timeframe not publicly disclosed
Grant Range: $10,000 - $2,300,000 (can exceed for major transplant programs)
Geographic Focus: Georgia only
Application Deadline: June 30 annually (applications accepted year-round)

Contact Details

Trustee: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Grant Program Support:

Phone: 1-888-235-4351
Email: grantadministration@wellsfargo.com

Website: https://www.wellsfargo.com/private-foundations/mason-trust/

Important: All communication must be made through Philanthropic Services at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Officers of Wells Fargo Bank are not to be personally contacted concerning proposals.

Overview

The Carlos and Marguerite Mason Trust was established in 1991 from the estate of Marguerite Fugazzi Mason, created in loving memory of her husband Carlos Mason. The trust has a singular, focused mission: to improve the process of organ transplantation for needy Georgia residents. With assets totaling approximately $95.6 million and annual giving of $4.6 million, the trust distributes grants exclusively to 501(c)(3) organizations located in Georgia that provide financial assistance to needy Georgia residents requiring transplants of eyes, kidneys, hearts, and other human organs. Up to 25% of the trust's income may also support research aimed at improving transplant methods. Since its inception, the trust has become one of Georgia's most significant funders in the organ transplantation field, contributing over $16 million to institutions like the Medical College of Georgia/Wellstar MCG Health alone.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust offers flexible funding on an annual cycle:

Capital Improvements: $10,000 - $2,300,000+ for buildings, furniture, equipment, and alterations to existing structures supporting transplant services
Start-Up Grants: Variable amounts for new projects and programs addressing critical patient financial challenges associated with solid organ transplantation that demonstrate potential for ongoing external or institutional support
Multi-Year Grants: Projects may receive funding for up to three years
Research Grants: Up to 25% of trust income supports research into improving transplant methods for eyes, kidneys, hearts, and other organs
Challenge/Matching Grants: The trustee will consider challenge or matching grant proposals

Application Method: Rolling basis with annual June 30 deadline for review at the annual grant meeting

Priority Areas

Primary Focus:

Financial assistance programs for needy Georgia residents requiring organ transplants
Transplant infrastructure and technology (EHR systems, perfusion pumps, surgical equipment)
Transplant centers and clinical facilities
Research to improve organ transplantation methods
Patient education and support programs related to transplantation
Transplant referral and coordination programs

Eligible Transplant Types:

Kidneys
Hearts
Eyes (corneas)
Livers
Pancreas
Other human organs

What They Don't Fund

Endowments
General advertising or goodwill advertising
Projects intended to supplant (replace) current funding sources
Indirect or overhead costs associated with academic or governmental institutions
Grants to individuals
Organizations located outside Georgia
Programs serving non-Georgia residents

Governance and Leadership

Trustee: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (St. Louis, Missouri administrative office; Atlanta office handles grant administration)

Trustee Compensation: Wells Fargo Bank receives approximately $457,490 annually for trustee services.

Decision-Making: The trustee makes grant decisions based on materials provided in grant requests, interviews, site visits, and recommendations from advisory sources. The trust utilizes advisory input from medical and philanthropic experts in the organ transplantation field.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The trust accepts unsolicited grant requests from nonprofits but does not have a formal application form. Instead, applicants should submit comprehensive grant proposals.

Submission Requirements:

Proposals must include detailed information about the project, budget, organizational capacity, and impact on Georgia transplant patients
Postmark or hand-deliver proposals to the office of the trustee in Atlanta
Applications accepted year-round but must be submitted by June 30 to be reviewed at the annual grant meeting

Contact for Inquiries:

Email: grantadministration@wellsfargo.com
Phone: 1-888-235-4351

Decision Timeline

Application Deadline: June 30 annually
Review Process: Annual grant meeting following the June 30 deadline
Decision Method: Based on grant request materials, interviews, site visits, and advisory recommendations
Notification: Specific timeframe not publicly disclosed

Success Rates

Based on publicly available data:

2023: 7 awards made
2022: 9 awards made
2021: 8 awards made

While the exact number of applications received is not disclosed, the trust maintains a selective grantmaking approach with an estimated success rate of approximately 30%.

Reapplication Policy

No publicly disclosed reapplication restrictions or waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations may resubmit proposals in subsequent grant cycles.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrated Need for Georgia Residents

The trust's primary mission is serving needy Georgia residents. Successful proposals clearly demonstrate how the project will directly benefit Georgia residents in need of organ transplants, including specific data on the patient population served.

Sustainable Impact

For start-up grants, the trustee looks for projects that demonstrate "potential for ongoing external or institutional support," indicating preference for initiatives that will continue beyond the grant period.

Infrastructure and Technology Investments

Recent major grants show the trust's willingness to fund substantial capital projects:

Wellstar MCG Health: $1.45 million to name and help fund the Carlos and Marguerite Mason Solid Organ Transplant Center (part of $4.1 million project)
Piedmont Healthcare: $750,000 to expand Epic EHR system to transplant services
Augusta University: $272,000+ for kidney perfusion pump technology
Augusta University: $1 million for organ rejection research using humanized mouse models

These grants demonstrate the trust values tangible, high-impact investments in equipment, facilities, and research infrastructure.

Long-Term Partnerships

The trust has shown commitment to building long-term relationships with key Georgia transplant organizations:

Over $16 million to Medical College of Georgia/Wellstar MCG Health over time
First grant of $400,000 over three years to Georgia Transplant Foundation, followed by additional grants including building purchase support
The trust's naming of the Carlos and Marguerite Mason Solid Organ Transplant Center at MCG reflects deep partnership

Multi-Year Planning

The trust awards grants up to three years in length, indicating willingness to support sustained efforts rather than one-time projects. Successful applicants should present well-developed multi-year plans.

Matching/Challenge Grant Alignment

The trust explicitly states willingness to consider challenge or matching grant proposals, suggesting applicants with secured partial funding or matching commitments may be viewed favorably.

Clear Financial Need Focus

Projects must address "patient financial challenges associated with solid organ transplantation" - successful applicants demonstrate how their work removes financial barriers for needy patients.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Geographic Restriction is Absolute: Only Georgia-based 501(c)(3) organizations serving Georgia residents are eligible - no exceptions
Specialized Focus is Narrow but Deep: This trust has one of the most focused missions in philanthropy - organ transplantation only - but provides substantial funding within this niche ($10,000 to multi-million dollar grants)
Think Infrastructure: Recent grants heavily favor capital improvements, technology, equipment, and facilities over operating support - frame proposals around tangible, lasting investments
Annual Cycle Requires Planning: With a June 30 deadline and annual review process, organizations should plan submissions well in advance and cannot expect rapid turnaround
Contact Protocol Matters: All communication must go through Wells Fargo Philanthropic Services - do not contact bank officers directly, as this violates stated guidelines
Demonstrate Sustainability: For programmatic grants, show how the initiative will continue after trust funding ends through other revenue sources or institutional support
Consider Multi-Year Requests: The trust explicitly offers grants up to three years - take advantage of this for projects requiring sustained investment
Major Gifts are Possible: Don't self-limit grant requests - the trust has made grants exceeding $2 million and committed over $16 million to single institutions over time, indicating willingness to be a major partner for transformative projects

References

Wells Fargo - Carlos and Marguerite Mason Trust official page. https://www.wellsfargo.com/private-foundations/mason-trust/ (Accessed January 2026)
Instrumentl - Carlos and Marguerite Mason Trust 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/carlos-and-marguerite-mason-foundation (Accessed January 2026)
Grantable - The Carlos & Marguerite Mason Foundation Profile & Grants. https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/the-carlos-marguerite-mason-fdn-us-foundation-581996431 (Accessed January 2026)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Carlos And Marguerite Mason Foundation. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/581996431 (Accessed January 2026)
Inside Philanthropy - Carlos and Marguerite Mason Trust. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/georgia-grants/carlos-and-marguerite-mason-trust (Accessed January 2026)
FundsforNGOs - Carlos and Marguerite Mason Trust Grant Program (Georgia). https://us.fundsforngos.org/type-of-grantgrant/carlos-and-marguerite-mason-trust-grant-program-georgia/ (Accessed January 2026)
Augusta University Health News - "Mason Trust awards grant to support the Transplant Referral Exchange program at Wellstar MCG Health" (April 5, 2024). https://news.augustahealth.org/2024/04/05/mason-trust-awards-grant-to-support-the-transplant-referral-exchange-program-at-wellstar-mcg-health/ (Accessed January 2026)
Augusta University Health News - "Mason Trust gifts AU Health more than $272,000 to purchase kidney perfusion pump" (May 23, 2022). https://news.augustahealth.org/2022/05/23/mason-trust-gifts-au-health-more-than-272000-to-purchase-kidney-perfusion-pump/ (Accessed January 2026)
I GIVE (Augusta University) - "Mason Trust gift supports organ rejection study" (March 28, 2023). https://igive.augusta.edu/2023/03/28/mason-trust-gift-supports-organ-rejection-study/ (Accessed January 2026)
Piedmont Healthcare - "Mason Trust Expands Technology for Transplant Services." https://www.piedmont.org/about-piedmont-healthcare/foundation-and-giving/donor-appreciation/mason-trust-expands-technology-for-transplant-services (Accessed January 2026)
Georgia Transplant Foundation - Our Mission & History. https://gatransplant.org/about-us/our-mission-history/ (Accessed January 2026)