Lillie I. W. Baker Trust Fund

The Lillie I. W. Baker Trust is a private charitable foundation administered by Wells Fargo Trust Philanthropic Services. The trust was created under the Last Will and Testament of Ms. Lillie I. W. Baker in memory of Dr. George Fales. Its purpose is to provide assistance to less fortunate hospital patients in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who wish to have access to a private hospital room but may not otherwise be able to afford such accommodations. Through its grantmaking, the trust ensures that hospitals in Philadelphia and its surrounding vicinity can subsidize costs and support patient dignity and comfort. The mission of the trust is narrowly focused on supporting hospitals rather than individuals directly. Eligible applicants must be qualifying nonprofit hospitals or healthcare organizations that operate under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. By requiring tax-exempt status, the trust ensures that its resources are used strictly for charitable purposes. The emphasis on Philadelphia and nearby areas demonstrates its regional commitment, as grants are geographically limited to this locality and are not available to hospitals outside this designated region. The trust accepts applications year-round; however, all complete applications must be received no later than September 1 each year to be considered for review at the annual grant meeting held in October. Applications received after that date are deferred until the following cycle. Applicants can submit online via Wells Fargo’s application system, and they will receive an automated confirmation email upon submission. There are no preliminary steps such as letters of intent required, and the process is straightforward in terms of submission. In terms of reporting, recipient organizations must submit a progress report within six months of receiving the funds, unless otherwise specified in the award agreement. This ensures accountability and provides the trustees with information about how the funds are being used to further the mission of the trust. While evaluation criteria are not detailed, the emphasis on providing assistance to needy patients through hospital services is clear, and applicants must align their proposals to this specific charitable purpose. The average grant size from the trust is approximately $45,000, and about seven grants are awarded annually. This indicates a fairly competitive process with moderate award sizes that can make a meaningful impact on hospital services for low-income patients. The trust does not specify an award ceiling or floor, nor does it indicate total program funding, meaning applicants should budget realistically based on historical averages rather than expecting funding outside of this typical range. For questions or technical support regarding the grant program, applicants may contact Wells Fargo Trust Philanthropic Services via email at grantadministration@wellsfargo.com or by phone at 1-888-235-4351. This contact information is specifically for assistance with application procedures rather than program eligibility interpretation. Trusteeship is held by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., which oversees the administration of the trust in accordance with its founding documents.