The William G. and Helen C. Hoffman Foundation was established through the Last Will and Testament of Helen C. Hoffman, with its mission rooted in charitable, religious, scientific, literary, and educational purposes. The foundation was created in memory of Helen C. Hoffman, who passed away in 1997 and was a resident of South Orange Village, New Jersey. She was predeceased by her husband, William G. Hoffman. The foundation maintains a dedicated focus on supporting initiatives that assist individuals who are blind or contribute to medical research aimed at preventing blindness.
Administered by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. through its Trust Philanthropic Services for Private Foundations, the foundation awards grants primarily within the states of New Jersey and New York. It prioritizes support for nonprofit organizations that align with its mission, specifically those delivering services to blind persons or conducting research related to blindness prevention. The program areas covered by the foundation include arts, culture, and humanities; education; health; and human services, though each area must tie directly to the foundation’s central mission concerning blindness.
The grant application process is open year-round, but to be considered for the foundation’s annual August meeting, applications must be submitted by June 30. Applicants receive an automated email confirming submission. Additional reporting, such as periodic progress reports, may be required based on the nature of the grant.
Eligibility for funding is limited to organizations that qualify as exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The foundation does not fund individuals or scholarships through this program; individuals seeking scholarships are directed to csascholars.org.
On average, the foundation distributes approximately 15 grants annually, each typically around $15,000. This funding is not recurring in the traditional sense and is not available on a rolling basis, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the specified deadline. Communications regarding the application status are managed through email, and technical or grant program questions can be directed to Wells Fargo via a dedicated phone line or email.
Contact for grant-related inquiries includes a phone number, 1-888-235-4351, and an email address, grantadministration@wellsfargo.com. Applicants are encouraged to consult the foundation's guidelines carefully to ensure compliance with all requirements, noting that the governing instrument of the foundation supersedes any conflicting information presented online.
