L. B. Danford Charitable Trust Grant

The L.B. Danford Charitable Trust is a philanthropic foundation established through the Last Will and Testament of Luther Bernard Danford, dated January 23, 1992. Mr. Danford was a lifelong resident of Texas who dedicated his career to public service through the State Department of Human Resources, served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bryan, Texas. Following his passing on March 11, 1999, the trust was formed to continue his commitment to supporting meaningful causes in his local community. Administered by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. under its Trust Philanthropic Services division, the L.B. Danford Charitable Trust provides grant funding to support nonprofit initiatives in the areas of education, health, human services, and religion. The Trust specifically restricts its giving to organizations located within Brazos County and Grimes County, Texas, unless the recipient is a charitable organization explicitly named by the donor. These geographic limitations underscore the donor’s intent to focus impact in regions of personal significance. To qualify for funding, organizations must hold tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. While a range of nonprofit entities may apply, the Trust does not accept applications from individuals, nor does it provide support for endowments. The Trust maintains an average annual grant size of $5,000 to $10,000, with approximately seven grants awarded each year and a total average annual disbursement of $40,000. The Trust operates on an annual grant cycle. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year but must be submitted by July 31 to be considered at the annual grant review meeting held in September. Applicants will receive an automated confirmation email upon submission of their application, and final funding decisions are typically communicated by October. All applications must be submitted through the Wells Fargo Philanthropic Services portal, which handles administration for numerous private foundations. In the event of a discrepancy between the website and the trust’s governing instruments, the latter shall prevail. For inquiries or technical support related to the application process, potential applicants can contact Wells Fargo’s grant administration support team by phone at 1-888-235-4351 or via email at grantadministration@wellsfargo.com. Educational scholarships are not provided under this trust. Interested individuals are directed to explore scholarship opportunities through a separate site, csascholars.org. Further details about Wells Fargo’s broader philanthropic activities are available through their Community Impact page. This grant represents a focused and consistent philanthropic legacy serving two specific Texas counties, grounded in the life and values of its founder.