Grants to Improve Quality of Life in Virginia

The Newton B. Shingleton Trust is a charitable trust established under the Last Will and Testament of Newton B. Shingleton, a long-time resident of Winchester, Virginia, on September 15, 1975. Administered by Wells Fargo Bank through its Trust Philanthropic Services division, the trust is designed to benefit the residents of Winchester, Virginia, and surrounding western counties. The overarching mission is to enhance the quality of life for community members by supporting charitable programs and organizations operating in this geographic area. The trust’s priorities are closely aligned with the donor’s intent to strengthen the social and cultural fabric of the region through targeted philanthropic investments. The trust funds a wide array of program areas, including arts, culture, and humanities; education; environmental and animal-related causes; health and healthcare access; human services; public and societal benefits; and religious initiatives. This diverse range of focus areas enables the trust to support a broad spectrum of community needs, from educational outreach and healthcare access to arts programming and support for vulnerable populations. While the trust supports organizations in western Virginia more broadly, it places a strong emphasis on programs operating directly within the Winchester area. Eligibility for funding is limited to organizations that qualify as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All applicants must also align with the trust’s geographic priorities. Importantly, grants are made exclusively for charitable purposes and support is generally directed at organizations that demonstrate a tangible impact on the Winchester community and its surroundings. Faith-based organizations may be considered, provided their programming is not exclusively sectarian in nature. Applications are accepted year-round through an online portal, but to be considered for review during the trust’s annual grant cycle, all submissions must be completed by December 31. Proposals received by this deadline will be reviewed at the March grant meeting. Applicants will receive an automated confirmation upon submission, and funding decisions are typically communicated by April. The trust may require periodic progress updates and final reports to assess how funds have been used and the impact achieved. The Newton B. Shingleton Trust does not impose a cost-sharing or matching requirement for applicants, and average annual giving is approximately $120,000. The trust does not publicly publish a ceiling or floor for individual grant awards. The absence of multi-tiered funding tracks or highly prescriptive application components may make the application process more accessible for smaller nonprofits with limited administrative capacity. Still, clarity of mission alignment and demonstrable impact are likely to be important to the selection process. Technical support for the grant application process is available via a dedicated phone line and email. Applicants may direct their inquiries to 1-888-235-4351 or [email protected]. The trust's consistent annual timeline and focus on regional benefit make it a viable source of support for community-based organizations in Winchester and surrounding areas.