Wells Fargo Donated $6 Million to Support Virginia Nonprofits in 2018 - Seite 2

United Way Worldwide recently recognized Wells Fargo for having the No. 1 workplace giving campaign in the U.S. for the tenth consecutive year.

Making an impact in Virginia

Wells Fargo concentrated its 2018 local philanthropic contributions on addressing urgent community issues such as:

• Affordable housing. To help increase affordable, stable housing and homeownership in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, the Better Housing Coalition and Project Homes were recipients of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Priority Market Grants totaling $150,000. These grants are awarded to large-scale community revitalization efforts. The grants help drive the program’s continued mission of supporting projects, programs and initiatives that remove barriers to sustainable housing for low- to moderate-income communities.
• Small business growth. Small businesses are critical to job creation and a vibrant community. Many diverse-owned small businesses, especially those in rural and low- to moderate-income communities, face unique challenges and often lack access to the full spectrum of resources necessary for growth and success. Wells Fargo provided the Community Investment Collaborative (CIC) with a grant to support its 16-week entrepreneurship program, which also provides financing, mentoring and networking for participants. Since its creation, the CIC has helped form 267 businesses and generated nearly $6.5 million in wages from new jobs.
• Economic Equity and inclusion. Support included grants to nonprofits that directly serve diverse and historically underserved groups, including initiatives focused on the development of women and diverse talent, education and vocational training. For example, Wells Fargo collaborated with Appalachian Sustainable Development on its farmer and rancher mentoring program, the University of Virginia’s young women leaders mentoring program, the Piedmont Virginia Community College’s Network2Work job assistance program and the African American Teaching Fellows Teaching leader institute.
• Access to education. Throughout Virginia, Wells Fargo supports colleges and universities that enable students to excel through academic achievement in workforce development, STEAM programs, entrepreneurship and other academic programs. During 2018, Wells Fargo in Virginia donated more than $240,000 to several of these designated educational programs in Virginia including Virginia Foundation for Community College Education and Virginia Latino Higher Education Network.

“Wells Fargo and its employees help lead in giving across Virginia through their annual giving campaign, which provides millions of dollars to critical programs in the commonwealth,” said James L.M. Taylor, president & CEO of United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg. “Wells Fargo employees volunteer their time and energy to help their local United Way empower people in the region and drive real, systemic change. Wells Fargo is a trusted, valuable partner in our local service area and across Virginia.”