The Muessel-Ellison Memorial Trust Foundation is administered through Wells Fargo Trust Philanthropic Services Private Foundations. This foundation aims to support a wide range of charitable and public purposes specifically benefiting the residents of South Bend, Indiana, and St. Joseph County, Indiana. The foundation operates under the oversight of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., which acts as the sole trustee, ensuring that grantmaking aligns with the foundation's governing instrument.
The foundation’s mission is to fund initiatives that provide cultural, educational, environmental, health, and human services improvements within its defined geographic scope. Its funding interests span six major program areas: arts, culture, and humanities; education; environment and animals; health; human services; and public or society benefit. Only programs or entities serving South Bend and St. Joseph County, Indiana are eligible for consideration, ensuring a highly localized and impactful grantmaking approach.
Grants from the Muessel-Ellison Memorial Trust Foundation are available to nonprofit and public-serving entities that operate within the geographic restrictions. Although specific eligibility requirements are not detailed on the summary page, applicants are advised that the trust follows standard private foundation practices and must align with the foundation's mission and legal restrictions.
The foundation operates on an annual grant cycle, with applications due each year by June 1. The exact opening date is not specified, but given the deadline structure, potential applicants are encouraged to prepare well in advance. The foundation does not explicitly state whether the grant is recurring; however, the presence of an annual deadline suggests a regular funding cycle.
Applicants can submit proposals online through Wells Fargo’s grant management portal. For those requiring additional help, technical or grant-related support is available through a dedicated support line and email. Contact information includes a support phone number, 1-888-235-4351, and an email address at grantadministration@wellsfargo.com.
All details presented on the foundation’s web page are considered summaries and may be subject to more specific stipulations outlined in the foundation’s governing documents. Applicants are encouraged to consult the foundation's original instruments or reach out directly to the administrators for complete clarity.
