Bono Brothers Memorial Trust Fund

The Bono Brothers Memorial Trust is a charitable fund established in 1962 by Joseph Bono, whose philanthropic vision was to improve the lives of underprivileged children in Marin County, California. The Trust continues to honor this legacy by providing grants exclusively to Catholic charitable organizations that directly serve the needs of needy children in this region. It is managed by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., which acts as the trustee overseeing the application process and ensuring adherence to the Trust's original mission and geographic focus. The Trust's mission is clearly defined: to support the care, maintenance, benefit, and education of children in need within Marin County. To fulfill this purpose, the Trust awards a limited number of annual grants to nonprofit organizations that are both Catholic in affiliation and operate directly within the geographic confines of Marin County. Eligible applicants must be classified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and they must demonstrate alignment with the Trust’s mission by focusing their efforts on child-related services such as education, healthcare, housing, and other human services that contribute to children's welfare. Grantmaking by the Bono Brothers Memorial Trust is intentionally focused and selective. Each year, approximately four grants are awarded, with individual grant amounts typically ranging from $5,000 to $7,500. The average total giving annually is around $30,000, reflecting the Trust’s strategy of making meaningful yet modest contributions to organizations with a strong local impact. The restricted program areas for funding include education, health, human services, and religious programs—specifically those run by Catholic institutions. The application process is straightforward but time-sensitive. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year; however, in order to be considered during the annual grantmaking cycle, submissions must be completed no later than February 28. Applications submitted after this date may not be reviewed until the following cycle. Applicants will receive an automated confirmation email upon submission, providing assurance that their materials have been received. While there is no formal pre-application process, funded organizations may be required to submit periodic progress and final reports to document the use of funds and outcomes achieved. This accountability measure ensures that the Trust’s resources are used effectively and remain aligned with its charitable objectives. There is no formal notification timeline provided, but the grant review occurs annually following the February 28 deadline. This grant opportunity is not recurring in the sense of multi-round or seasonal cycles, but it is offered annually and has remained consistent in its operations. Due to its narrow geographic and programmatic scope, the Bono Brothers Memorial Trust is best suited for local Catholic charities that are deeply embedded in the Marin County community and whose work centers on improving the lives of economically disadvantaged children.