The Virginia Krug Groneman and Christian Harold Groneman Charitable Trust is a private philanthropic fund established through the Last Will and Testament of Virginia Krug Groneman on April 27, 1995. Virginia, a long-time resident of College Station, Texas, created the trust in memory of herself and her late husband, Christian Harold Groneman. The trust is administered by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., under the umbrella of Wells Fargo Trust Philanthropic Services Private Foundations.
The mission of the trust is to support charitable causes specifically within Brazos County, Texas. Funding is focused on initiatives in the areas of health, human services, and religion. These three program areas reflect the philanthropic priorities of the Gronemans, aiming to address essential services and enhance community welfare within the specified geographic region.
Organizations eligible for grants must be recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Notably, the trust does not support funding requests aimed at building or maintaining endowments. This restriction guides applicants towards project-based or operational requests that deliver direct services or impacts.
Applications are accepted throughout the year; however, to be considered during the annual grant review meeting held in September, submissions must be received by July 31. After submission, applicants will receive an automated confirmation email. Grant decisions are typically communicated by October, providing a clear timeline for funding expectations.
Grant amounts usually range from $5,000 to $10,000, with an average annual distribution totaling approximately $30,000. The trust typically awards around eight grants per year, indicating a selective and focused funding strategy. These figures underscore the importance of submitting a compelling and well-aligned proposal.
For inquiries or support during the application process, potential applicants can reach out to Wells Fargo via email at grantadministration@wellsfargo.com or by phone at 1-888-235-4351. While the foundation offers detailed guidance and an online application platform, the final authority in any discrepancies between the website and official foundation documentation is the trust’s governing instrument.
