The Charles B. Mathis Memorial Trust, administered by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., is a private philanthropic trust committed to supporting residents of Ocean County, New Jersey. Its mission includes providing assistance to the elderly, poor, sick, and handicapped populations within the county, as well as promoting education, good government, religion, and strong moral values. The trust operates with a clear geographic focus, ensuring all grant activities directly benefit the residents of Ocean County. While it may consider national organizations, these must have a chapter or operational presence within Ocean County to be eligible.
The Trust primarily supports program areas such as arts, culture, and humanities; health; human services; public and society benefit; and religion. Grants typically range between $1,500 and $5,000, with an average of 11 awards made annually. Priority is given to proposals that address the relief and support of elderly, sick, poor, or disabled residents, as well as to educational institutions or initiatives—particularly those involving scholarships and libraries. Projects that promote good government, religion, and moral standards among county residents are also viewed favorably.
Eligibility for funding is restricted to nonprofit organizations that qualify under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Applicants must operate within Ocean County, New Jersey, or be national nonprofits with a local chapter in the county. All applications must be submitted through an online grant application form or an accessible alternative designed for assistive technology users. Successful applicants are required to submit a progress report within six months of receiving grant funds, unless specified otherwise at the time of award.
The Trust accepts applications on a rolling basis throughout the year, but to be considered for the annual grant meeting held in June, applications must be submitted by April 15. Communications from the Trust are typically automated, with applicants receiving email confirmation upon submission.
All interested applicants should ensure their program activities align with the trust’s mission and geographical requirements before applying. While contact details for program officers are not publicly provided, applicants are encouraged to prepare applications in accordance with the stated guidelines and deadlines to be eligible for review during the annual meeting cycle.
