Harold T. Southern Family Foundation Grant

The Harold T. Southern Family Foundation is administered through Wells Fargo Trust Philanthropic Services Private Foundations. The foundation was established in 2014 by the children of Harold Turner Southern and Mildred Formyduval Southern, in memory of their parents. The Southern family was passionate about outdoor life and community engagement, and the foundation reflects their legacy through its philanthropic focus. Wells Fargo provides administrative support for the foundation’s operations and facilitates its annual grantmaking process. The foundation primarily supports environmental conservation efforts in Western North Carolina. Its mission includes protecting lands, parks, forests, and waters on which all life depends to foster a healthier lifestyle for future generations. Although the foundation historically supported education and tennis youth programming, current applications are restricted solely to environmental conservation. The funder emphasizes targeted geographic impact, with a focus on organizations that are based primarily in Western North Carolina. Organizations eligible to apply must be classified as exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The foundation does not support individuals, for-profit entities, or organizations outside its defined geographic area. Applicants should ensure their mission aligns directly with the conservation-related priorities of the foundation and that they are operating within the designated regional boundaries. Applications are accepted throughout the year but must be submitted by July 31 to be considered for review at the foundation’s annual grant meeting, which takes place in September. Applications received by this deadline will typically receive a decision by October. The grant application process is conducted online via the Wells Fargo philanthropic portal. Applicants will receive a confirmation email once their application is submitted successfully. The foundation requires a progress report to be submitted within six months of receiving grant funds, unless other reporting requirements are specified at the time of the award. There are no stated award ceilings or floors on the public documentation, and funding amounts are not disclosed in advance. Organizations must provide compelling documentation of their conservation efforts, geographic relevance, and nonprofit status as part of their application submission. For inquiries or technical support, applicants may contact the Grant Program or Technical Support team at 1-888-235-4351 or via email at grantadministration@wellsfargo.com. Wells Fargo emphasizes that any information published online is only a summary, and in the case of discrepancies, the foundation’s governing documents will take precedence.