W. W. Burgiss Charities Grant

W. W. Burgiss Charities, Inc. is a private foundation administered by Wells Fargo Trust Philanthropic Services. Established in 1925 by William W. Burgiss, a prominent businessman and philanthropist from South Carolina, the foundation was one of the first charitable foundations in Greenville County. Mr. Burgiss, who amassed considerable wealth through real estate and cotton mill investments, dedicated his fortune to advancing charitable causes in the region. His commitment to religion, education, and support for the underprivileged is the cornerstone of the foundation’s mission. A notable early initiative funded by the foundation was the construction of the Shriners’ Hospital for Crippled Children in 1927. The mission of W. W. Burgiss Charities is to promote and support causes related to religion, education, and charities in Greenville County, South Carolina. Special emphasis is placed on aiding the sick, helpless, and needy, as well as providing educational opportunities for underprivileged individuals. The foundation focuses its grantmaking activities on capital needs and one-time special projects. It generally does not fund ongoing operating costs, endowments, debt retirement, or individual grants. Eligible applicants must be organizations classified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Additionally, applicant organizations must have operations that demonstrate a measurable benefit within Greenville County and have the financial capacity to sustain their proposed projects beyond the funding period. Preference is given to local organizations with headquarters and boards based in Greenville County. Applicants are required to provide either an audited financial statement for the most recently completed fiscal year or, if unavailable, two years of financial documentation including income statements, balance sheets, and the current year’s operating budget. IRS Form 990s are not accepted as substitutes for these documents. Grant applications are accepted throughout the year, but to be considered for the current cycle, they must be submitted by September 15. The foundation typically reviews submissions at its annual board meeting held in October. Notification of decisions is generally sent to applicants by November 30. The foundation provides an automated confirmation upon receipt of applications submitted through the online portal. The average grant size is approximately $12,000, with around 12 grants awarded annually. Total annual grant disbursement typically amounts to about $150,000. Grantmaking priorities are centered on benefiting Greenville County residents, particularly in the fields of religion, education, health, human services, and public or societal benefit. The foundation does not issue grants to the same organization more than once in a three-year period. For additional information or assistance with the application process, applicants may contact the Wells Fargo grant administration team at grantadministration@wellsfargo.com or call 1-888-235-4351. While individual scholarships are not awarded through this foundation, those seeking educational funding are referred to csascholars.org.