Palm Beach Community Trust Fund

The Palm Beach Community Trust Fund is a private philanthropic trust established by a Declaration of Trust dated March 10, 1955. Managed by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, the trust supports a wide range of charitable activities in Palm Beach County, Florida, and its surrounding areas. The fund was created with a broad mission to maintain and support institutions and organizations engaged in charitable, religious, and educational work, as well as to promote education, scientific research, healthcare, and the relief of individual needs. The trust provides financial assistance to organizations carrying out work in diverse fields including arts, culture, humanities, education, health, environment and animal welfare, religion, human services, and public benefit. The average grant amount typically ranges from $4,500 to $30,000, with a total annual distribution of approximately $110,000 across around 22 grants per year. These figures indicate a targeted approach that emphasizes impactful but modest-scale support for community-driven initiatives. To be eligible, applicants must be nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The trust does not list exclusions for specific organizational types beyond the nonprofit status requirement, and it does not indicate restrictions based on size, age, or prior experience of the applicant organizations. Faith-based organizations may apply, provided their work aligns with the trust's charitable objectives. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, but to be considered at the annual review meeting, submissions must be received by April 15. There is no separate pre-application process or concept paper requirement. Applicants submit materials online through the designated application portal. Following submission, applicants receive confirmation via email. Decisions are typically communicated by the end of the year, and funded projects may be subject to periodic and final reporting requirements. There are no explicitly stated limitations on how funds may be used, but allowable uses are expected to align with the trust’s charitable purpose. These may include program delivery, maintenance, research, and care-related expenses. The trust does not outline detailed evaluation criteria but indicates that grants are reviewed annually, implying a competitive process based on mission alignment, community benefit, and project feasibility. The Palm Beach Community Trust Fund represents a longstanding commitment to supporting community institutions and advancing public well-being across Palm Beach County and its neighboring areas. With a clear and streamlined application process and a wide-ranging mission, it serves as a reliable resource for local nonprofits seeking support for community-benefiting projects.