The Dr. Hildegard H. Balin Charitable Trust is a private philanthropic foundation administered by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. through its Trust Philanthropic Services for Private Foundations. This foundation was established through the estate of Dr. Hildegard H. Balin, a medical doctor originally from Germany who later practiced in Argentina and ultimately settled in Santa Barbara, California. Motivated by her professional and personal experiences, including her compassion for the elderly and her devotion to her dog, Dr. Balin designated her estate to support the welfare of financially-at-risk elderly individuals and the humane care of dogs. Since its inception in 1996, the Trust has awarded over $3 million to eligible nonprofit organizations operating within Santa Barbara County, California.
The Trust supports projects that address critical needs among two main target populations: elderly residents who are financially at risk, and dogs requiring welfare services. For elderly individuals, grants may support nutritional, legal, or medical needs. For dogs, eligible projects may include housing, nutrition, general care, and placement into appropriate homes. Grants are awarded on an annual basis, and eligible organizations can apply for funding to support general operating costs, capital needs, or special projects that align with the Trust’s mission.
Geographically, this opportunity is limited to organizations located within Santa Barbara County, California. Only organizations that are classified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible to apply. The Trust explicitly excludes funding requests from the Hospice of Santa Barbara or any of its affiliated organizations. Additionally, personal appearances before the advisory committee are not permitted as part of the application or review process.
The application window for the Dr. Hildegard H. Balin Charitable Trust opens annually and closes on July 31. Applications must be submitted by this date to be considered for review during the annual grant meeting, which typically takes place in early October. Applicants receive an automated email confirmation upon successful submission of their application. Notifications regarding funding decisions are generally issued by December of the same year.
While the grantmaking process does not specify application questions or a required submission format, grantees may be required to submit periodic progress and final reports if funding is awarded. The Trust does not offer pre-application technical assistance or Q&A sessions, but applicants in need of support may contact Wells Fargo Trust Philanthropic Services by phone at 1-888-235-4351 or via email at grantadministration@wellsfargo.com. The grant is recurring annually, providing a reliable cycle for organizations seeking funding for aligned services within Santa Barbara County.
