Earl and Maxine Claussen Trust Grant

The Earl and Maxine Claussen Trust, established in 1984 pursuant to the Last Will and Testament of Earl Elmer Claussen, is dedicated to supporting charitable initiatives primarily within the Grand Island, Nebraska metropolitan area. This region is defined by the trustee as encompassing Hall, Merrick, and Howard counties. Mr. Claussen's intent in establishing the trust was to create a lasting mechanism for improving the lives of residents in this specific geographic area. Although the trust prioritizes distributions within this region, its terms allow the trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., to exercise discretion in supporting other charitable endeavors beyond the immediate metropolitan area when appropriate. The trust supports a wide range of program areas, including arts, culture, and humanities; education; environmental and animal welfare; health; human services; public and societal benefit; and religion. This broad scope reflects a commitment to funding initiatives that contribute to the well-being and enrichment of communities. While the trust maintains a regional preference, it imposes no strict geographic limitations on applicants, allowing qualified organizations from other areas to be considered at the trustee's discretion. Eligible applicants must be public charities recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Priority is generally given to organizations that either operate within or directly benefit residents of the Grand Island metropolitan area. This includes not only organizations physically located within Hall, Merrick, or Howard counties but also those whose programs serve the people of those communities. The trust does not specify ineligible types of organizations or prohibited uses of funds but expects that funded activities align with its program focus areas and charitable intent. Applications are accepted throughout the year, with a hard deadline of November 30 for consideration during the annual grant review meeting in December. Applicants are encouraged to submit well before the deadline to ensure timely processing. The submission process is fully online, and applicants will receive an automated confirmation email upon successful submission. While the funder does not require any pre-application steps such as a letter of intent or concept paper, funded projects may be required to provide periodic progress and final reports to demonstrate use of funds and outcomes achieved. Average grants from the trust typically range from $1,000 to $5,000, with total annual giving averaging around $27,000 across approximately eight grants per year. These figures suggest a focus on providing modest but meaningful support to local initiatives, possibly enabling grassroots organizations to launch or sustain impactful projects. The trust does not specify a performance period or timeline for use of funds, nor does it impose a cost-sharing or matching requirement on applicants. Although the trust does not make its grant review criteria explicit, the stated preferences and geographic emphasis imply that community impact, alignment with priority program areas, and local presence or service relevance will likely be central to the trustee’s decision-making. With Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. serving as trustee, applicants can expect professional administration and evaluation of proposals. Those seeking funding are advised to clearly demonstrate their eligibility, geographic connection to the Grand Island area, and alignment with one or more of the trust’s priority funding categories.