Cressey Family Charitable Trust Grant

The Cressey Family Charitable Trust, administered through Wells Fargo Trust Philanthropic Services, is a private foundation established in 2006 by John P. Cressey. Mr. Cressey, a longtime resident of Eugene, Oregon, created the trust as a means to honor the memory of his parents who owned a bookstore, and to pass on his lifelong passion for reading and education to future generations. Following his death in 2006, the trust was activated to support the educational and literary well-being of the Eugene/Springfield area. The Trust’s assets and distribution process are managed by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., which serves as the sole trustee. The primary mission of the Cressey Family Charitable Trust is to support nonprofit organizations located in Eugene and Springfield, Oregon, with a specific focus on programs that promote education broadly, and literacy and reading in particular. Additionally, the City of Eugene Public Library is a direct beneficiary of the trust’s giving, in alignment with Mr. Cressey’s deep appreciation for books and libraries. The Trust’s philanthropic intent remains centered on educational access, reading engagement, and the cultivation of community enrichment through literacy initiatives. Funding from the trust is disbursed annually. Although applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, all submissions must be received by July 31 to be considered during the grant review cycle. Decisions on grant applications are typically communicated by November. A four-member committee is responsible for reviewing applications and making recommendations to Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., the trustee, which finalizes all funding decisions. Periodic progress reports and a final report may be required from grantees to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of funds. Applicants must be nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. There is no indication of required matching funds for applicants, and no specific application form questions are listed in the summary. Grant seekers are encouraged to apply online and will receive an automated confirmation email upon submission. While the average total annual giving is around $70,000, it is typically distributed among eight grantees, indicating modest yet impactful funding per organization. The grant does not appear to fund individuals or provide scholarship opportunities. For scholarship-related inquiries, Wells Fargo directs users to a separate platform at csascholars.org. The Trust does not list previous award recipients publicly, and all applicants are advised that the information on the webpage may be overridden by the trust's official governing instruments in case of discrepancy. Technical support or further guidance can be obtained by contacting Wells Fargo’s grant administration team via email at grantadministration@wellsfargo.com or by phone at 1-888-235-4351. The Trust serves as a localized funding opportunity designed to create enduring impact through education and reading within the Eugene and Springfield communities of Oregon.