Walter J. Miller Trust Grant

The Walter J. Miller Trust is a philanthropic fund established by the Last Will and Testament of Walter J. Miller to honor the legacy of his two sisters, Ann C. Miller and May C. Miller. The Trust is managed by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., serving as the sole trustee. As a perpetual trust, it was created with the intention of delivering long-term charitable support to a wide variety of causes and nonprofit organizations. The trust has a legacy of emphasizing charitable giving across sectors that reflect Walter J. Miller’s values and vision, with a historical tendency to support organizations based in Pennsylvania, though it places no strict geographic limitations. The Trust primarily funds nonprofit organizations that hold tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Its broad funding scope includes the areas of education, health services, religious institutions, social welfare programs, environmental initiatives, arts, culture, and humanities. Specific types of projects that are considered include those benefitting educational institutions, nonprofit hospitals with special community-focused programs, capital improvements for churches of any denomination, and services for marginalized populations including the elderly, indigent, youth, and homeless. Grants may also support libraries, museums, historical preservation, theater, and wildlife or environmental conservation. Although the Trust accepts applications year-round, in order to be considered for funding at its annual grant meeting held in April, applications must be submitted no later than February 1. Proposals received after this date may not be reviewed until the following year. The Trust does not enforce a formal application window but uses this deadline to ensure timely consideration. Upon submission through the designated online portal, applicants will receive automated confirmation emails, indicating successful delivery. In general, applicants are expected to submit complete applications demonstrating the need for funding, the specific purpose of requested support, and alignment with the Trust’s funding areas. The Trust has a few explicit limitations. It generally does not support political activities, fundraising dinners, or athletic events. For funding to be considered, applicants must document a clear and specific need, especially for programs involving health services or capital improvements. Evaluation of proposals includes assessing community impact, the uniqueness of the program, and evidence that similar needs are not already being addressed by other organizations. In the healthcare domain, for instance, proposals should include justification of community-specific unmet needs. On average, the Trust distributes around 25 grants per year, with individual grant awards typically ranging from $2,000 to $15,000. Funding may be provided for equipment purchases, scholarships, research initiatives, capital projects, or unique community programs. While specific performance periods or grant durations are not specified, recipients are generally expected to submit a progress report within six months of receiving the funds, unless otherwise directed by the Trust. For technical support or inquiries related to the grant program, applicants may contact Wells Fargo Grant Program Support at 1-888-235-4351 or via email at [email protected]. The application system provides options for online submission, account login, and tracking saved applications. While the Trust does not mandate LOIs or pre-application stages, all required materials should be submitted by the February 1 deadline to be eligible for consideration in the annual review cycle.