Gilbert and Thyra Plass Charitable Trust Grant

The Gilbert and Thyra Plass Charitable Trust is a private foundation established through the Last Will and Testament of Thyra Nichols Plass. Dr. Thyra Plass, who was deeply passionate about music, held academic degrees in music including a doctorate in organ performance and sacred music. Her husband, Dr. Gilbert Plass, was a physicist who served as head of the Department of Physics at Texas A&M University and was known for his academic contributions including works on global warming. Together, the couple maintained strong ties to Bryan, Texas, and their philanthropic legacy is continued through this charitable trust. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. serves as the sole trustee and administrator of the trust. The primary mission of the Gilbert and Thyra Plass Charitable Trust is to support a broad range of charitable causes that benefit residents of Brazos County, Texas. The Trust's philanthropic scope encompasses six core program areas: arts, culture, and humanities; education; environment and animals; health; human services; and religion. This diverse portfolio reflects the founders’ combined interest in both the sciences and the arts, ensuring that the foundation impacts many facets of community wellbeing. Funding from the Trust is specifically limited to organizations that qualify as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Furthermore, eligible organizations must have a physical office located in Brazos County, Texas. This geographic limitation reinforces the Trust’s mission to serve the local community. It’s important to note that the Trust does not consider proposals that request funding for endowments. 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 who submit by the deadline can expect to receive a decision by October. The average size of individual grants ranges from $5,000 to $10,000, and approximately 14 grants are awarded each year. The Trust typically disburses a total of about $110,000 annually across all grantees. The application process is conducted online via the Wells Fargo Trust Philanthropic Services portal. Once an application is submitted, applicants receive an automated email confirming receipt. No specific pre-application requirements, such as letters of intent or preliminary proposals, are mandated. However, applicants with technical questions or in need of program guidance may contact Wells Fargo’s grant support team via phone at 1-888-235-4351 or email at grantadministration@wellsfargo.com. All potential applicants should ensure compliance with the Trust’s guidelines and be prepared to demonstrate their physical presence in Brazos County as well as their IRS tax-exempt status. Organizations looking to make an impact in the areas identified by the Trust are encouraged to apply prior to the July 31 deadline to be considered for funding in that year’s review cycle.