The Cleon W. Mauldin Foundation Grant Program

The Cleon W. Mauldin Foundation is a private philanthropic entity administered by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., through its Trust Philanthropic Services division. The foundation was established upon the passing of Cleon W. Mauldin in 1998, a respected arts supporter and former librarian and stage manager of the Augusta Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Mauldin was deeply invested in the arts, particularly in music, dance, and ballet, and he stated in his will that the foundation should prioritize charitable efforts aligned with these interests. His legacy continues through grants that support arts education and performance initiatives in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA), which spans select counties in Georgia and South Carolina. The foundation’s mission is to promote the arts in the CSRA by supporting organizations engaged in arts education and performance. These include initiatives related to music, dance, ballet, and general arts advocacy. Funding may be used to support programming, arts education in schools, scholarships for young musicians, acquisition of musical and artistic equipment, and broadcasting of musical programs. Although there are no strict limitations on program types, the foundation has a strong historical preference for organizations involved in these core areas. Grants are only available to organizations that are recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Furthermore, eligibility is geographically limited to the CSRA, which includes the Georgia counties of Burke, Columbia, Emanuel, Glascock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Warren, and Wilkes, as well as the South Carolina counties of Aiken, Allendale, Barnwell, Edgefield, and McCormick. The foundation does not accept applications from outside this defined region. The foundation accepts applications year-round, but in order to be considered during the annual review meeting typically held by the end of the third quarter, submissions must be completed by August 1. Applications are to be submitted through an online portal, which also offers an accessible version for assistive technology users. Upon submission, applicants receive an automated confirmation email. Funding decisions are generally communicated by October 31. Successful applicants are typically required to submit a progress report within six months of receiving the award unless otherwise specified. Average grant awards typically range between $5,000 and $10,000, with approximately 10 awards distributed annually. The foundation's total annual giving averages around $60,000. Matching contributions are not required. The foundation is not rolling and accepts applications only on a recurring annual basis, with the next anticipated cycle opening in August 2026. For assistance, applicants can contact the foundation via phone at 1-888-235-4351 or by email at grantadministration@wellsfargo.com. Additional information about Wells Fargo’s philanthropic initiatives can be found on its Philanthropy and Community Impact page. This information is a summary and applicants should consult the foundation’s governing instruments for definitive requirements.