The Jolley Foundation, administered through Wells Fargo Trust Philanthropic Services Private Foundations, supports nonprofit organizations working to address the root causes and consequences of poverty and discrimination. With a long-standing history rooted in civic leadership and social justice, the foundation was established in 1947 in Greenville, South Carolina by Robert Albert Jolley, Sr. and Rucker Tweedy Jolley. Originally intended to assist Mr. Jolley’s employees in times of personal crisis, the foundation’s mission has since evolved into a broader philanthropic commitment to community-based systemic change.
The Jolley Foundation's mission centers on supporting sustainable and systemic solutions to deeply entrenched social problems. It seeks to empower nonprofit organizations by investing in their operational capacity and encouraging collaborative philanthropic initiatives. The foundation is especially focused on building a just, compassionate, and vibrant community. This is achieved through targeted support in several program areas: arts, culture, and humanities; education; environment and animals; health; human services; and public and societal benefit.
Funding is primarily allocated to organizations that are based in and serve Greenville County and the broader Upstate South Carolina region. Within this focus, the foundation places special emphasis on capital improvements and special projects in education and human services. In addition to general grantmaking, the foundation offers "Next Generation Grants" to promote the engagement of fourth-generation family members in their respective communities; however, these grants are by invitation only. Applications are accepted year-round but must be submitted by April 1 or September 1 to be reviewed during the spring and fall grant meetings respectively.
Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. For funding requests of $100,000 or more, applicants must submit a letter of inquiry by February 1 or July 1. This letter must include organizational details, the requested funding amount, the total project budget, and a brief project summary. Applications are submitted through an online form, and supporting documents must be emailed to the designated Wells Fargo grant administration address.
Grant decisions are communicated by June for applications submitted by the April deadline, and by November for those submitted by the September deadline. Successful applicants may be required to submit progress and final reports. The foundation typically does not fund annual appeals, endowments, general operating expenses, or individual scholarships. Applicants must demonstrate the financial sustainability of their proposed projects.
