Harry John Erbe Charitable Trust Grant

The Harry John Erbe Charitable Trust was established under the will of Harry John Erbe, a native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, who passed away in November 1969. His testament created a perpetual charitable trust to continue his philanthropic legacy for generations to come. The trust is administered by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. through its Trust Philanthropic Services division, which oversees the grantmaking process. A committee of three Harrisburg residents serves in an advisory role, selecting grantees to ensure funding supports local community needs and aligns with the trust’s mission. The purpose of the trust is to provide grants to tax-exempt organizations that advance charitable, religious, scientific, literary, or educational objectives. The program specifically supports activities in the fields of arts, culture, and humanities; education; environmental and animal welfare; health; human services; public and societal benefit; and religion. While the trust imposes no formal geographic restrictions, its history demonstrates a consistent practice of supporting organizations based in Pennsylvania, particularly in the city of Harrisburg. This reflects the founder’s ties to the region and his intent to strengthen his local community. Grant awards typically range between $5,000 and $10,000, with an average of two grants awarded annually. Organizations eligible to apply must qualify as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Individuals are not eligible, and the trust does not provide scholarships directly to students. Instead, individuals seeking scholarship assistance are directed to alternative resources such as csascholars.org. Grant funding may be used to advance organizational missions within the defined program areas, though applicants should carefully consider alignment with the trust’s stated priorities. Applications are accepted year-round; however, to be considered for review at the annual grant meeting held in October, applicants must submit a complete application by August 31. Submissions after this date may not be reviewed until the following cycle. Applicants receive an automated confirmation email upon submission. Except where otherwise specified at the time of award, recipients must submit a progress report within six months of receiving funds, ensuring accountability and demonstrating outcomes. This reporting requirement supports the trust’s goal of sustaining effective and transparent philanthropy. The trust operates on a recurring annual cycle, with applications reopening each year. Based on the August 31 deadline, applicants can anticipate the next cycle to follow the same timeline in subsequent years. For organizations considering future applications, planning should include preparation in the months leading up to August, with final submissions completed well before the cutoff date to allow for administrative review. For technical support or questions about the application process, applicants can contact Wells Fargo Trust Philanthropic Services. Support is available by phone at 1-888-235-4351 or via email at grantadministration@wellsfargo.com. These contacts provide assistance with both program-specific inquiries and the mechanics of the online application portal. The foundation emphasizes that the information on its website serves as a summary; in cases of conflict, the foundation’s governing instrument will take precedence.