Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• EIN: 75-2691859
• Total Assets: $36.4 million (2024)
• Annual Giving: $1.5-1.9 million
• Average Grant Size: $10,000 - $30,000
• Number of Grants: ~60 per year
• Decision Time: 4-5 months (decisions in June for Spring cycle, December for Fall cycle)
• Geographic Focus: Midland County, Texas (primary preference)
• Application Method: Fixed deadlines (alphabetical split)

Contact Details

Trustee: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Website: www.greathousetrust.org

Phone: 432.685.5211

Grant Program Support: 1-888-235-4351

Email: grantadministration@wellsfargo.com

Mailing Address: (Administrative office in Las Vegas, NV)

Overview

The Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust was established in 1997 by Helen Greathouse, who passed away in 2001, leaving a lasting philanthropic legacy in Midland County, Texas. With total assets of $36.4 million, the trust distributes approximately $1.5-1.9 million annually through 60+ grants. Administered by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as trustee, the foundation awards grants exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes. Helen Greathouse had an especially warm spot for children and adults with physical or mental challenges, a passion that continues to guide the trust's funding priorities. Together with her husband Barney, who owned a drugstore in Midland for 37 years before selling to Walgreens in 1970, Helen gave millions during her lifetime to support organizations serving vulnerable populations. The trust maintains Helen's commitment to giving back to the Midland community she truly loved.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grant Program: $10,000 - $30,000

• Rolling semi-annual cycles with fixed alphabetical deadlines
• Online application required
• Organizations A-L apply Spring cycle (January 1 - February 15)
• Organizations M-Z apply Fall cycle (July 1 - August 15)
• One application per organization per 12 months
• Single project or program per application

Priority Areas

The trust has a strong preference for organizations that:

• Work with children facing physical or mental challenges
• Serve persons who must overcome physical and mental challenges (all ages)
• Are located in Midland County, Texas (primary geographic preference)
• Have received support from Helen Greathouse during her lifetime

Program Areas Funded:

• Education (including special education and disability services)
• Health (particularly services for people with disabilities)
• Human Services (focused on vulnerable populations)
• Religious organizations serving the mission area
• Scientific and literary purposes aligned with the mission

Note: While there are technically no absolute program limitations or geographic restrictions, the trust has a consistent practice of primarily supporting organizations in Midland County, Texas that work with children and individuals with physical or mental challenges.

What They Don't Fund

The trust's documentation does not specify explicit exclusions, but based on the stated preferences, organizations should note:

• Strong preference for Midland County, Texas (applications outside this area face significant disadvantage)
• Focus on children and persons with physical/mental challenges (other causes may not align)
• Must be 501(c)(3) exempt organization (no individuals, for-profit entities, or non-exempt organizations)

Governance and Leadership

Trustee: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

The trust is administered by Wells Fargo Bank's Private Foundations group, which manages the application process, grant distributions, and compliance with Helen Greathouse's wishes as outlined in the trust document. Mrs. Greathouse specifically asked the trustee to "give preference to requests from charitable organizations in Midland County, Texas, to which she has contributed funds, and specifically those organizations that work with children and persons who must overcome physical and mental challenges."

Founder's Vision: Helen Greathouse (1908-2001) was described as "a caring, giving individual" who had "an especially warm spot for any and all children (or adults) with any physical or mental handicap or challenge." Her vision continues to guide the trust's grantmaking decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Online Application Only: Applications must be submitted through the trust's online portal at www.greathousetrust.org.

Unique Alphabetical Schedule: The trust uses an innovative approach to manage application flow:

• Organizations with names beginning A-L: Apply January 1 - February 15 for Spring grant meeting
• Organizations with names beginning M-Z: Apply July 1 - August 15 for Fall grant meeting

Application Restrictions:

• Applications submitted outside designated date ranges will not be considered
• One application per organization per 12 months
• Each application must address a single project or program
• Organizations are assigned to Spring or Fall based on legal name

Decision Timeline

Spring Cycle (A-L organizations):

• Application window: January 1 - February 15
• Grant meeting and decisions: By June
• Total timeline: Approximately 4-5 months

Fall Cycle (M-Z organizations):

• Application window: July 1 - August 15
• Grant meeting and decisions: By December
• Total timeline: Approximately 4-5 months

Notification: Applicants will be notified in writing of the trustee's decision. If additional information is needed, the trustee will contact the organization's designated contact person.

Success Rates

While specific success rates are not publicly disclosed, the trust's grant activity shows:

• Approximately 60 grants awarded per year on average
• Recent years: 63 awards (2023), 70 awards (2022), 65 awards (2021), 54 awards (2020)
• Average grant: $10,000 - $30,000
• Total giving consistently around $1.5-1.9 million annually

Based on these figures, the trust maintains a consistent grantmaking pattern, suggesting they have capacity to fund a substantial number of applicants who fit their priority areas.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may apply once every 12 months, regardless of whether the previous application was successful or unsuccessful. This policy has been in effect since 2010.

Organizations should ensure they apply during their designated alphabetical window. Previous grant recipients can reapply after 12 months have passed, following the same alphabetical schedule.

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's documented preferences and Helen Greathouse's legacy:

1. Geographic Alignment is Critical: While there are technically no geographic limitations, Mrs. Greathouse specifically asked the trustee to "give preference to requests from charitable organizations in Midland County, Texas." Organizations outside Midland County face significant disadvantages unless they have compelling connections to Helen's legacy.

2. Mission Alignment with Founder's Passion: Helen Greathouse had "an especially warm spot for any and all children (or adults) with any physical or mental handicap or challenge." Applications should clearly demonstrate how the project serves:

• Children with physical or mental challenges
• Adults overcoming physical or mental challenges
• Programs that directly address disabilities or special needs

3. Historical Connection Matters: The trust document notes preference for "charitable organizations in Midland County, Texas, to which she has contributed funds" during her lifetime. If your organization received support from Helen Greathouse before 2001, mention this connection prominently.

4. Single, Focused Projects: The requirement for "single project or program per application" suggests the trustees prefer specific, well-defined initiatives over general operating support. Be clear about what the grant will accomplish.

5. Progress Reporting Requirement: Organizations must submit a progress report within 6 months of receiving funds and report on fund utilization upon completion or annually. This indicates the trustees value accountability and tangible outcomes.

6. Legacy Partnerships: The trust is known to support initiatives like the Legacy Scholars Program at Midland College (in partnership with other local foundations), suggesting they value collaborative community efforts and long-term programs.

7. Demonstrate Community Impact: Given Helen and Barney Greathouse's 37+ years as business owners in Midland and their deep community roots, applications should emphasize local community impact and how the project serves Midland County residents.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Location matters most: Strong preference for Midland County, Texas organizations; applications from outside this area should have exceptional justification
• Know your deadline: Check if your organization's name places you in the Spring (A-L) or Fall (M-Z) application cycle and mark your calendar accordingly
• Focus on the mission: Clearly demonstrate how your project serves children or persons with physical/mental challenges—this was Helen Greathouse's passion
• One chance per year: With only one application allowed per 12 months, make it count by submitting a focused, single-project proposal
• Be specific about outcomes: The 6-month progress report requirement indicates trustees want measurable results, not just activities
• Typical grant range: Most grants fall between $10,000-$30,000; budget your project accordingly
• Plan for 4-5 month timeline: Factor in the timeline from application deadline to decision (June for Spring cycle, December for Fall cycle)
• Historical connections help: If your organization received support from Helen Greathouse during her lifetime, prominently mention this legacy connection

References

1. Wells Fargo Private Foundations - Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust official page: https://www.wellsfargo.com/private-foundations/greathouse-charitable-trust/ (Accessed February 13, 2026)

2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust (EIN 75-2691859): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/752691859 (Accessed February 13, 2026)

3. Cause IQ - Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/helen-greathouse-charitable-trust,752691859/ (Accessed February 13, 2026)

4. Charity Navigator - Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust profile: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/752691859 (Accessed February 13, 2026)

5. Grantmakers.io - Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust profile: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/752691859-helen-greathouse-charitable-trust/ (Accessed February 13, 2026)

6. Instrumentl - Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/helen-greathouse-charitable-trust-wells-fargo-bank-naifs-fiduciary-tax (Accessed February 13, 2026)

7. Foundation Directory Online (Candid) - Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=GREA079 (Accessed February 13, 2026)

8. FundsforNGOs - Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust Grant Program information: https://us.fundsforngos.org/type-of-eligible-entity/organizations/nonprofits-with-501c3/submit-applications-for-helen-greathouse-charitable-trust-grant-program-2023-texas/ (Accessed February 13, 2026)

9. GrantStation - The Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust: https://grantstation.com/grantmakers/helen-greathouse-charitable-trust (Accessed February 13, 2026)

10. Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust official website: www.greathousetrust.org (Accessed February 13, 2026)