The Katherine Lercara Fund for Needy Children is a charitable fund dedicated to promoting the welfare and aid of needy children in San Joaquin County, California. The fund is managed by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., serving as the trustee. Its mission focuses on supporting programs and initiatives that directly benefit children within this specific geographic region. The fund aims to provide resources to address essential needs related to education, health, and human services for children facing economic hardships.
Grants from the Katherine Lercara Fund for Needy Children are awarded annually. The average grant size is approximately $10,000, and only one grant is typically awarded each year, resulting in average annual total giving of $10,000. Applications are accepted throughout the year, but to be considered for the annual grant review meeting, applications must be submitted no later than March 15. This deadline serves as the cutoff for that year’s funding consideration.
Eligible applicants must be organizations that hold a valid tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. While the fund is open to proposals in multiple areas—specifically education, health, and human services—the programs or projects proposed must exclusively serve children within San Joaquin County, California. Applications that propose activities or services outside of this county are not eligible for funding consideration.
The submission process includes an automated email confirmation upon receipt of the application. Awarded organizations are required to submit a progress report within six months of receiving funds. This report helps the fund monitor how the grant money was used and assess the progress made toward the proposed objectives.
The Katherine Lercara Fund for Needy Children does not appear to host a formal pre-application process or offer opportunities for applicants to ask questions in advance of submitting an application. The timeline is centered around the annual March 15 deadline, with decisions and awards expected to follow the annual grant meeting, although a precise award date is not specified. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit complete applications well before the deadline to ensure eligibility and consideration.
