The Edward W. and Stella C. Van Houten Memorial Fund is a private philanthropic entity managed by Wells Fargo Trust Philanthropic Services under the bank’s Private Foundations division. The foundation was established in 1978 and named in memory of Stella C. Van Houten and her husband, Edward W. Van Houten. Stella C. Van Houten resided in Bergen County, New Jersey, and the foundation reflects the couple’s commitment to supporting charitable causes that improve the quality of life in their local community. Oversight and fiduciary responsibilities are managed by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., which serves as the sole trustee.
The foundation’s mission is to provide support to agencies, institutions, and services operating in the fields of health, human services, and education. Grantmaking is intended to improve outcomes for vulnerable and underserved populations, particularly in the New Jersey counties of Passaic and Bergen. Funding priorities include organizations involved in the care or cure of sick or disabled individuals, orphaned children, and elderly persons. Additional focus is placed on educational endeavors, including support for medical and nursing scholarships at accredited institutions, and services that provide education and care for children.
Funding is limited geographically to the state of New Jersey, with a distinct preference for projects and organizations operating in Bergen and Passaic counties. Applicants must be recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Grants are not awarded to individuals, and no information suggests that matching funds are required. Average grant sizes typically range between $5,000 and $15,000, and the foundation awards approximately 25 grants annually. There are no fixed caps mentioned for total program funding or specific award ceilings beyond the stated average range.
The application process is conducted online and is open year-round; however, to be considered during the annual review cycle, applications must be submitted by August 1. Submissions are reviewed at a meeting that takes place in September each year. Applicants will receive automated email confirmations upon submission. No additional deadlines such as for Letters of Inquiry or pre-applications are noted, and the fund is not offered on a rolling basis. The recurring annual nature of the grant indicates that the opportunity will reopen in August of the following year for the next cycle, with an internal check date recommended in July.
For assistance, applicants may contact Wells Fargo’s grant administration support team by phone at 1-888-235-4351 or via email at grantadministration@wellsfargo.com. No specific individual contact name is listed. Additional resources such as scholarship opportunities for individuals can be found through csascholars.org, but these are not associated with the Van Houten Memorial Fund, which does not provide funding to individuals.
