Inez Duff Bishop Charitable Trust Fund

The Inez Duff Bishop Charitable Trust is a private philanthropic fund established in 1966 through the will of Inez Duff Bishop, a lifelong resident of Charlottesville, Virginia. Administered by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. under its Trust Philanthropic Services division, the foundation operates with the intent to provide broad charitable support to organizations serving individuals in need. Its mission focuses especially on assisting the visually impaired and supporting hospitals and medical institutions that serve financially disadvantaged populations. The trust provides grants to support a variety of program areas, including the arts, culture, and humanities; education; environmental and animal-related causes; health; human services; public and societal benefit; and religious organizations. While the trust’s mission is broad, it has a distinct history and ongoing practice of prioritizing organizations that aid the visually impaired or deliver hospital and medical care to low-income individuals. This focus stems from the humanitarian intentions laid out in the trust's founding documents. Funding is geographically limited, with a strong preference for organizations located in Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Virginia. Applicants must be tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code to be considered eligible. On average, the trust distributes approximately 13 grants per year, with award amounts typically ranging between $3,000 and $10,000. The total annual giving averages around $75,000. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. However, in order to be considered during the trust’s annual grant meeting, submissions must be received no later than August 1. Applicants will receive an automated email upon submission, and grant decisions are typically communicated by November. While there are no listed pre-application requirements such as letters of inquiry, grantees may be required to submit periodic progress and final reports to remain in compliance. The trust does not publish detailed application questions, but the process appears to be streamlined and managed via an online portal. There is also no mention of matching requirements or multi-year funding. For further information or technical support related to the application process, potential applicants are encouraged to contact the Wells Fargo Trust Philanthropic Services team at 1-888-235-4351 or via email at grantadministration@wellsfargo.com. Educational scholarships are not offered through this trust and are instead managed separately at csascholars.org. Overall, the Inez Duff Bishop Charitable Trust is a consistent and locally focused funding opportunity for eligible nonprofits working in healthcare and support for the visually impaired in the Charlottesville area. With a clear deadline of August 1 and decision announcements by November, the trust offers a transparent and reliable grant cycle for qualified applicants.