Well Fargo is just one of many financial institutions locally that supports a wide array of nonprofits. Primary supporter of the Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival, the bank also backs many local establishments such as the Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust, the Columbia River Economic Development Council and Vancouver Public Schools.
Year to date, Wells Fargo has given $73,000 to Southwest Washington grantees, said Bob Whareham, community banking manager who is officed in Vancouver.
Locally, a three-person committee is made up of Whareham, as well as a private client trust manager and a business banking manager, so “all three legs of the stool” are represented in the granting process.
The bank focuses most of its giving in four areas: community development – affordable housing, job training, small business development; education; human services; and arts and culture and civic projects. Agencies that fall into one of these categories can apply for grants on the Wells Fargo website at www.wellsfargo.com/about/charitable/wa_guidelines.
Wells Fargo also looks at what its Southwest Washington staff is involved in. Whareham himself is a board member of the Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust.
“We are only seeing the tip of the iceberg (with the VNHRT), the potential is much more for the community as a whole. We give them a sizeable amount of money every year, and provide the stagecoach at the Veterans Day Parade.”
2007 recipients will include:
Boys and Girls Clubs
Children’s Home Society of Washington
Clark Community College District 14 Foundation
Columbia River Economic Development Council
Columbia River Mental Health Services
Community Foundation for Southwest Washington
Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust
Vancouver School District No. 37 Foundation
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
YW Housing
Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust
Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival
