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:
Reviewer 2126 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
Definitely appreciate their history of support and contributions to our organization. Getting to a contact person other than their reporting staff is something of a challenge.
Positive leader in the field, Responsive
Georgia
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2017
Average
Good
Ah, try to get to know your grantees a bit more, be open to conversations, site visits, etc.
Timely, consistent response to grantee.
10 to 15 hours
Reviewer 216 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
Recognize that you are dealing with a corporate foundation and their corporate objectives/timing are paramount.
Risk taker, Friendly, Responsive
California
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2016
Average
There's been some turnover, but they are responsive and live up to their commitments.
Good
They funded us, so I think well :)
The contract is pretty intimidating. We have other corporate foundations that manage to have less rigid contracts. And to receive checks instead of wire transfers is surprising, for a bank.
Given their awful corporate reputations, WFF is surprisingly positive and ethical -- stands in real contrast to what we read about Wells Fargo.
Lives up to their commitments.
12
Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
They've been a little inconsistent in what they wanted us to do. We had to pull one application at their request and then submit another. That's pretty rare - you should know where the funder's head is before hitting the button.
Builds relationships
Florida
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2017
Good
Average
Better have a relationship - that's true of amost every funder and banks especially.
They're still giving major grants ($10k at least) and those are increasingly hard to find; that makes them important in accomplishing goals.
Less than 5
Reviewer 293 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
Like with many corporate funders, so much depends on having a Board member who is an executive with Wells Fargo to get sufficient attention to have your request seriously considered.
California
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
Bad
Average
5
Reviewer 554 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
It is difficult to get funded even with a connection and as a past grantee.
Washington
Applied and not funded
2016
Average
Average
5
Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
Don't be afraid to ask questions. The feedback you get will be realistic, which lets you make a sound decision on whether to apply or not. We were turned down in the past. Was told a capital request was a long shot and still do a program request even though we had a capital request pending review. We got the capital with no employee involvement or bank connection.
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
Good
Typically I received a response from the foundation staff within two days.
Good
Consider expanding one time expenses to also include bridge funding as a program is expanding or deepening its programs.
They are realistic, which is a nice change of pace from a lot of places that encourages you to apply and 1 out of 100 get funded.
5
Reviewer 627 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
Our Program Officer really takes the time to understand our strategic vision. Grantees should be prepared to articulate their goals over the next few years. They actively encourage collaboration among grantees within their portfolio. Great support, great communicators and a key partner in our success.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
District Of Columbia
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
Good
Good
10
Reviewer 215 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
Personal contact. Cultivate the relationship. Get representative to visit and tour your facility. What makes your organization special that WFF would want to fund you? How might you collaborate with Wells Fargo team members going forward?
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Culturally sensitive, Friendly, "Gets" nonprofits and issues
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Other
2016
Average
We need to realize that funders such as Wells Fargo Foundation are inundated with requests and their is a limit to what they can do. So we're challenged to keep our messaging on point and relevant to their interests and expectations.
Good
They cover a broad canvas with a big brush, yet resources are still limited.
Don't rely on few funders to carry the day for you. Be aware of prospective grantors with whom you've never engaged in a meaningful dialogue. Broaden your reach.
We've consistently been funded every other year up until last year. We had a very positive relationship with the former foundation president who has retired. We want to sustain our valuable relationship with WFF.
Commits significant resources of the foundation to be reinvested back into Minnesota communities...
6
Grant Applicant - applied in 2015
We were basically told that unless we had someone from the bank on our board, we wouldn't get funded, even though we align with their funding criteria.
Bureaucratic
California
Applied and not funded
2015
Average
Bad
4
Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
Wells Fargo Foundation application asks redundant questions, is bureaucratic, and doesn't offer a format for the nonprofit to express its mission how it accomplishes meeting that mission.
Even though we have been funded for three years in a row, we have had zero contact with an actual person at the Foundation.
Doesn't "get" nonprofits and issues, Bureaucratic
California
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2017
Bad
Bad
12
