Wells Fargo Launches $100 Million Environmental Grant Program
Establishes $15 million program with National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
SAN FRANCISCO, June 5, 2012 — Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) announced today a $15 million relationship with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) that launches its new environmental grant program aimed at awarding $100 million to nonprofit organizations and universities by 2020. The five-year program with NFWF will combine the nonprofits' scientific expertise with Wells Fargo's philanthropic and volunteer resources to promote environmental stewardship in communities across the U.S.
Wells Fargo-NFWF grants will fund proposals focused in the following areas:
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sustainable agriculture and forestry
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conservation of land and water resources
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restoration of urban ecosystems
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clean energy infrastructure
Projects that will encourage volunteerism and benefit underserved communities will be preferred.
"The Environmental Grant program we are announcing today is in addition to Wells Fargo's enhanced $30 billion environmental finance commitment aimed at building stronger communities and accelerating a transition to a "greener" economy," said Mary Wenzel, director of Environmental Affairs. "We're proud to collaborate with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in our efforts to use our financial resources, as well as the expertise of our team members, to protect and preserve a sustainable environment for communities we serve."
"Wells Fargo's impressive commitment to conserving our nation's lands, waters and precious natural heritage will have a dynamic effect on communities across the country," said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF. "Through this initiative, we will expand the resources available for innovative projects that benefit our environment and the wellbeing of our citizens."
In addition to its collaboration with NFWF, Wells Fargo's new environmental grant program also includes an emphasis on environmental and clean technology innovation. The goal is to find, foster and fund innovative projects and entrepreneur programs that support the commercialization of new and emerging clean technologies, including the advancements of renewable energy, "greener" buildings, alternative transportation, water technologies, and sustainable agriculture practices.
Details about the new environmental grant program are available here: https://www.wellsfargo.com/about/csr/ea/environmental-giving.
About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.3 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, the Internet (wellsfargo.com), and other distribution channels across North America and internationally. We want to help all of our customers succeed financially and create long-term economic growth and quality of life for everyone in our communities. In 2011, the Company invested a record $213.5 million in grants in 19,000 nonprofits, and team members contributed more than 1.5 million volunteer hours around the country. For more information, please visit: www.wellsfargo.com/about/csr.
About National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Established by Congress in 1984, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) sustains, restores and enhances the nation's fish, wildlife, plants and habitats. Working with federal, corporate and individual partners, it has awarded over 11,600 grants to more than 4,000 organizations and leveraged $576 million in federal funds into $2.1 billion for on-the-ground conservation. To learn more, visit www.nfwf.org.