The Maurice J. Masserini Trust is a charitable funding initiative managed by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., with a mission to support a diverse array of nonprofit causes, primarily concentrated in the San Diego, California area. The Trust emphasizes its commitment to uplifting the local community through targeted support across several key programmatic areas. It directs its grantmaking efforts toward initiatives that contribute meaningfully to the cultural, educational, environmental, health, human services, and religious well-being of the region.
Funding is available to 501(c)(3) organizations that operate within the San Diego region and demonstrate alignment with the Trust’s program areas. These areas include arts, culture and humanities, education, environment and animal welfare, health, human services, and religion. The Trust favors project-specific funding over general operating support, with the intent of backing tangible, impactful efforts. Applications are submitted through an online grant application form, with an alternative accessible version available for applicants using assistive technologies.
The annual application deadline is June 1. Organizations whose submissions meet the eligibility requirements are reviewed during a grant meeting held in July. Applicants receive an automated email confirming receipt of their submission, and decisions are generally communicated within two months following the deadline.
The Trust typically awards between 20 grants annually, with each grant ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. The average total funding distributed per year is approximately $160,000. Funding limitations include a general disfavor for start-up organizations, capital campaigns, salaries, endowments, and events. This preference helps focus the available resources on established efforts that present clear goals and deliverables.
Upon receiving a grant, recipients are generally required to submit a progress report within six months unless otherwise specified. This reporting requirement ensures transparency and allows the Trust to assess the impact and effectiveness of the funded projects.
