Grant Process

Wells Fargo and the Wells Fargo Foundation collaborate with a wide range of national and local nonprofit organizations that align with our strategic funding priorities: financial health, housing affordability, small business growth, and sustainability to address these complex societal issues and help create a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future.

In alignment with our updated strategy, Wells Fargo has implemented an invitation process. Please refer to our grant eligibility requirements below and our giving FAQs for more information.

Grant eligibility

To receive funding for any type of grant, organizations must meet the following:

• Have tax exempt status under IRS code 501(c)(3), or be a qualified governmental agency, tribal entity or public school or school system
• Demonstrate fiscal and administrative stability and
• Deliver services addressing critical community needs

Grant proposals are also evaluated based on the following considerations:

• Ability to measure and report on established outcomes-based success metrics aligned to strategic objectives, which includes providing a forecast of expected outcomes in the application and may also require periodic impact reports with actual project/program results. 
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion and leverage racial equity/social justice and sustainability best practices and principles
• Promote innovative and scalable solutions
• Incorporate human capital and volunteerism opportunities
  

Wells Fargo will not consider grants for:

• Individuals
• Organizations that discriminate, including but not limited to, on the basis of race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, country of origin, citizenship, veteran, or disability status
• Religious organizations, unless they are engaged in programs that are non-sectarian, benefit a broad base of the community, and have a separate 501(c)(3) designation
• Political action committees, candidates, causes, and lobbying
• Labor, alumni, or fraternal groups
• Recreation, athletic, or sports teams, programs, or leagues
• For-profit entities, including start-up small businesses
• Grants specifically for travel, including student trips or tours
  

Grant application

Eligible nonprofits aligned to our giving priorities with an invitation to apply for funding from Wells Fargo will use the invitation code provided to access the online application portal to complete a grant application. 

Nonprofits that have not been invited to apply but align with our strategic focus areas and meet eligibility and outcomes reporting requirements may register and submit a Grant Interest Form.