Clarence W. Winter Charitable Trust Program

The Clarence W. Winter Charitable Trust is a private philanthropic foundation administered by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. through its Trust Philanthropic Services division. The trust was established through the will of Clarence W. Winter, a lifelong resident of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Born in 1892 and passing in 1975, Mr. Winter established this perpetual charitable trust to continue serving the community and various public-benefit causes well beyond his lifetime. The trust reflects his long-term commitment to philanthropy and community impact, focusing on nonprofit causes that align with his values and interests. The mission of the Clarence W. Winter Charitable Trust is to provide financial support to organizations that are recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The trust seeks to advance work in several broad areas, including charitable, religious, scientific, literary, and educational endeavors. Eligible applicants must demonstrate a clear alignment with one or more of these purposes in their program goals or organizational missions. The trust does not offer funding to individuals or for personal expenses and is solely focused on 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. The trust supports a variety of programmatic areas including arts, culture, and humanities; education; environmental protection and animal welfare; health-related initiatives; human services; public and society benefit projects; and religious efforts. While the trust does not impose formal geographic restrictions, it shows a strong preference for organizations located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. As such, applicants outside this area are not ineligible but may face a lower probability of receiving funding if they do not demonstrate a meaningful connection to the Bucks County community. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year; however, to be considered during the annual grant review, submissions must be received by August 1. The review process takes place in September each year. Although only approximately five grants are awarded annually, the typical grant size ranges from $3,000 to $5,000, indicating that while funding is modest, it may be particularly impactful for smaller or community-based organizations. The trust does not require matching funds for applications, and no specific matching amount is listed as a prerequisite. Applicants will receive confirmation of their submission via email. Those interested in applying can do so directly through Wells Fargo’s online application system. The foundation does not provide detailed evaluation criteria or a list of application questions publicly, nor does it provide a list of previously funded organizations. For inquiries or technical assistance related to the grant process, applicants may call 1-888-235-4351 or email grantadministration@wellsfargo.com. All application materials should be submitted by the August 1 deadline to ensure eligibility for the annual review. Award notifications typically follow shortly after the September review. As the opportunity is recurring annually, applicants are encouraged to track this timeline for future cycles. Applicants should also be aware that the summary information available on the website may be superseded by the trust’s official governing instruments, which take precedence in any case of discrepancy.