John G. Duncan Charitable Trust Fund

The John G. Duncan Charitable Trust is a philanthropic entity managed through Wells Fargo Trust Philanthropic Services, committed to continuing the legacy of its namesake by providing financial support to charitable, educational, and religious causes within Colorado. Established to honor John G. Duncan’s lifelong commitment to community betterment, the Trust emphasizes charitable giving that aligns with Duncan’s values of helping underserved populations, particularly in rural and impoverished parts of Colorado. The Trust is administered by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., which acts as the sole trustee, overseeing both grant management and the disbursement of funds. The Trust supports organizations working in three primary program areas: Education, Human Services, and Health. Its funding is distributed throughout the year in distinct cycles: January 1 to March 31 for education-focused organizations; April 1 to June 30 for human services; and July 1 to September 30 for health-related efforts. While there are no formal geographic restrictions, the Trust explicitly prioritizes programs serving communities outside the Metro-Denver area, especially in Colorado counties facing significant socioeconomic challenges, such as Crowley, Bent, Costilla, and others in southern and southeastern parts of the state. However, applicants do not need to be physically located in these counties as long as their programs serve residents in those regions. Organizations applying for funding must be based in Colorado and can submit one application per calendar year. Grant awards typically range from $10,000 to $20,000, with average total annual giving between $250,000 and $300,000. Applications are accepted only during the designated timeframes for each focus area. The application process is completed online, and applicants receive an automated confirmation email upon submission. Notification of funding decisions is generally issued within 60 days following the respective cycle’s deadline. While specific application components are not itemized on the public webpage, grantees should expect to submit periodic progress and final reports for any funded project. This indicates a level of ongoing engagement and accountability between the funder and the recipient. The Trust does not require matching funds, nor does it outline any specific cost-share structure. However, applicants should ensure that their programs align clearly with the Trust’s priorities and demonstrate direct service or impact within targeted Colorado communities. The fund does not list contact details specific to the grant opportunity. As such, applicants are directed to the general Wells Fargo Trust Philanthropic Services Private Foundations department. There is no mention of downloadable PDFs or guidance documentation; instead, the application appears to be entirely web-based. The grant program is recurring on an annual basis, with three open windows corresponding to the program focus areas. This structured annual cycle suggests applicants may plan multi-year engagement or prepare in advance for their relevant focus period. Based on the timing of the current analysis in early January 2026, the Trust is presently accepting applications in the Education program area through March 31, 2026.