The Tom F. Bunge Charitable Trust was established by Tom F. Bunge, a resident of St. Joseph County, Indiana, with the mission of serving the needs of homeless individuals. The Trust operates under the administration of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., through its Trust Philanthropic Services for private foundations. Mr. Bunge passed away in 1991, and his charitable legacy continues through this grantmaking program that primarily supports initiatives focused on homelessness.
The foundation's funding is targeted toward human services, with a specific program limitation that restricts grants to organizations providing services to the homeless. Although the Trust does not impose formal geographic restrictions, it has a strong historical practice of funding organizations located in St. Joseph County, Indiana, and Ann Arbor, Michigan. This geographical focus aligns with Mr. Bunge’s personal connections and philanthropic interests.
Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The foundation distributes approximately 10 grants per year, with individual grant amounts typically ranging from $2,500 to $15,000. Total annual giving averages around $50,000.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, but to be considered during the annual grant review, applications must be submitted by June 1. The grant review meeting takes place in July, and applicants are generally informed of funding decisions by August. After submission, applicants receive an automated email confirmation. Funded projects may be required to submit periodic progress and final reports.
Organizations interested in applying can do so through Wells Fargo’s online application system. For questions or support related to the application process, applicants can contact the Grant Administration team via email at grantadministration@wellsfargo.com or by phone at 1-888-235-4351.
