26 survey respondents
Location: 550 S 4th St, Minneapolis, 55415 MN
EIN: 41-1367441
79%
21%
6 hours
Median
52%
48%
65%
35%
2017 Deadlines:
Types of Grants Awarded:
Geographic Focus:
For Fiscal Year
Total Assets:
Total Grants:
Change in Assets FY :
Amount of Grants to Minnesota Nonprofits:
Largest Grant:
Smallest Grant:
Average Grant:
Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
You will not be able to receive funding without having a conversation with the grant officer in the Foundation beforehand. During our conversations they were very clear about what amount we should request and they were comfortable funding.
Builds relationships
District Of Columbia
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2018
Average
Average
I understand that budgets are stagnant, but it's a bit hard to believe that from a Foundation that is funded by one of the biggest banks in the world that is turning over record profits. As a bank they should understand inflation and that a grant from 2010 won't have the same dollar value in 2019. We consistently asked for nominal increases and were consistently told budgets were flat.
5 to 10 hours
Reviewer 1782 - Did not apply
They are not very responsive. Another funder suggested we contact them to see if they were interested in ideas that seemed consistent with their guidelines. I sent a second brief email asking about whether it was worth submitting a proposal We did not receive a response to either contact.
Difficult to work with
Minnesota
Did not apply
2016
Bad
Average
Respond briefly to inquiries.
Uncertain
0
Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
They have different pots of money, which makes life "interesting' figuring it all out (e.g. local employee council, foundation, local banks, sponsorships). And they are serious about no recurring costs
Gives more than money, Insightful, Friendly, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
Good
They used to be difficult to access, but the past two years the Minneapolis office team has been great-emailing back at night, etc. So I really do think they are making a commitment to being more accessible.
Average
One-time non-recurring costs definitely narrows the pool of applicants when we all need gen op to keep the core mission going. Also a bit suspect on their current touting of 'giving the most in the area' as part of a PR approach to deal with a lot of negative press the corporation has been getting. E.g. a lot more emphasis on 'need to help Wells Fargo tell its story"
To recognize that very small nonprofits may be limited in staffing resources to help give Wells Fargo PR for their giving. The foundation also needs to help the small nonprofit with guidance, support in getting the PR connections (press release template, local press contacts, etc.)
They do want to give more than money. Identify ways for Wells Fargo employees to volunteer (ongoing or one time special events)
They stick to what they say re: what they fund. Which in some ways is easier than trying to guess whether to go gen op, project or what. And capital-equipment- funding is not always easy to come by, so that is a positive.
5
Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
They only give restricted, tiny, non-recurring grants which is frustrating if you're trying to sustain your work. We've gotten a lot of conflicting information about the amount and types of grants that will be available.
Inadvertently exerts negative influence in the field, Doesn't "get" nonprofits and issues, Difficult to work with, Culturally incompetent, Bureaucratic
California
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2018
Bad
Bad
They're so out of touch. At a recent presentation they said they want to fund "the thing that you think would make your job just a little bit easier." But what would make our jobs easier is stable, flexible, long-term funding.
1) Listen to your community. We need stable, flexible funding in order to do our jobs well. You can still ask us to name things after you/give you publicity while providing general operating funds. 2) Don't use the example of "we forgave the students loans of a young man who died from cancer" as a way to show how great you are. That's literally something that was said at this presentation, and it was incredibly tone-deaf.
10
Reviewer 498 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
It is important to have a relationship with you local community representative and have Board representation. Relationships go a long way, but always talk to the Foundation before applying (or re-applying).
Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues
(Unknown)
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2018
Average
Good
Grant application simplification
Transparency.
6
Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
Don't bother. We fit their profile to a 't'. We bank with Wells Fargo. We share common history. Don't know who they wanted to fund but they definitely weren't interested in us.
California
Applied and not funded
2016
Bad
Pay attention to all applicants. Let them know 'why' you aren't funding them. Respond to the applications.
5
Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
It can be confusing with their different funding streams (e.g. local community council, foundation) so if you have any doubts don't hesitate to ask for a clarification. A problem I've found across the board is that the local bank branches don't know how to help you re: funding. At one point I had the local bank branch telling the org to go to the foundation with the question/funding request and at the same time the foundation telling me to go to the local bank branch. There doesn't seem to be training for local bank branches on foundation giving
Positive leader in the field, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
Good
They are totally accessible. Willing to answer questions and with timely responses. Equally great is when they are open and say 'not sure'
Good
It aligns with their giving focus.
The local bank branches should understand the foundation's priorities and process.
They really do try to keep performance report requirements to a minimum.
5
Reviewer 7713 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
It is important to know your local branch manager, and who is on their regional selection committee. Meet with them first.
Openminded
Alaska
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2018
Average
It was a little unclear who was the best contact and mine was often busy. But we did eventually get a donation for our project.
Average
I have heard they are trying to fund more Native American projects and programs but have seen little press on funded projects, so am not sure where these investments are made.
Keep trying
Local interest - the branches are interested in their local areas.
5
Reviewer 6085 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
My experience was probably optimal with WF because I had a connection with the Foundation rep for my region (New England). My organization applied the previous year and was not funded; this year, we were. Since the first approach, our rep has been extremely accessible and forthcoming. They do expect publicity for grants received; our rep provided a tool kit for this purpose and has been extremely appreciative of all media placements as well as flexible about our approach to presenting the story to media outlets. We appreciate the funding, of course, but also the minimal strings attached and the fact that our rep seemed nearly as excited as we were about the grant.
Gives more than money, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Massachusetts
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2018
Good
This is one of their strongest suits thanks to the NE foundation manager.
Good
They just relaunched their funding priorities. Those were specific and clearly laid out, more detailed than average.
Accessibility--I am really pleased that they are coming to visit the program at my invitation. It is not always easy to get a funders who aren't extremely local (or even those that are) to make the trip out to see us.
8
Reviewer 651 - Did not apply
Connections are key.
California
Did not apply
2017
Bad
They are impossible to reach. I've tried emailing, going through colleagues that work at Wells Fargo, and etc. Their process is invite-only and its very difficult to find out who works in philanthropy there.
0
