Eugene Edge III Charitable Trust Fund

The Eugene Edge III Charitable Trust is a private philanthropic foundation administered through Wells Fargo Trust Philanthropic Services. Established by Dr. Eugene Edge III of Bryan, Texas, the Trust honors his lifelong commitment to philanthropy, particularly focused on improving the community in Brazos County, Texas. Dr. Edge’s distinguished career included service as a U.S. Naval Veteran, small business owner, and academic, with faculty positions at Georgetown University and Sam Houston State University. Upon his passing on January 10, 2015, the Trust was activated to continue his legacy of giving. The mission of the Eugene Edge III Charitable Trust is to support a variety of charitable causes that operate primarily within Brazos County. The foundation gives priority to initiatives in the arts, culture and humanities, education, health, human services, and public/society benefit. While there are no strict program limitations, the Trust consistently favors organizations with a strong local presence and mission-driven work in these five key areas. Applications that fall outside this scope may be considered, but will likely be deprioritized. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Trust does not provide funding for endowments, making it important for applicants to propose projects with direct, actionable impact and measurable community benefits. The Trust does not fund individuals or offer scholarship support; individuals seeking scholarships are directed to review opportunities at csascholars.org instead. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year; however, to be considered at the annual grant review meeting, proposals must be submitted by July 31. Applications submitted after this deadline will be reviewed in the following grant cycle. After submission, applicants will receive an automated email confirmation. Grant award decisions for applications submitted by the deadline are typically communicated by October. The average grant size ranges between $30,000 and $40,000. On average, the Trust distributes around 15 grants per year, totaling approximately $590,000 in annual funding. All funded projects must have a primary operational or service focus in Brazos County, Texas. The Trust is managed by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., which serves as the sole trustee and administers the application process through its online platform. Questions about the application process or technical difficulties can be directed to the Grant Program or Technical Support line at 1-888-235-4351 or by email to grantadministration@wellsfargo.com. The fund’s information page emphasizes that all application-related policies and procedures are subject to the original terms of the governing trust instrument. Applicants are encouraged to ensure alignment between their proposals and the Trust’s mission and geographic focus before submission.