Wells Fargo & Company (No. 9 on the Fair360, formerly DiversityInc Top 50 list) has announced that its second annual VeteranWINSgrant program will donate $200,000 across six nonprofits to address sustainable housing for military veterans. Awarded through a competitive application process, the VeteranWINS grant program provides financial support to community-based nonprofits focused on addressing veteran homelessness, transitional housing, and low- to moderate-income veteran home rehabilitation.
“Wells Fargo is pleased to support these nonprofits that work tirelessly to help veterans achieve long-term stability and success,” said Jeff Chavannes, VeteranWINS program manager for Wells Fargo. “We have a long history of supporting service members and veterans, and are committed to building better communities including by working with nonprofits to address homelessness for veterans.”
Launched in 2016, the VeteranWINS grant program has awarded a total of $300,000 in grants for nonprofits to directly support housing programs that address veteran homelessness.
The 2017 VeteranWINS program grants are awarded to:
Large Market: Two $40,000 Grants
180 Degrees Des Moines, Iowa
- Funding will be used to rehabilitate a veteran group home including carpet replacement, painting, new bathrooms and water damage repair.
American GI Forum/National Veterans Outreach Program (NVOP) San Antonio, Texas
- Funding will help the organization obtain a new van that is wheelchair-accessible and will contribute to the housing stability of 140 homeless veterans who live at the center.
Medium Market: Two $35,000 Grants
Community Supported Shelters Eugene, Oregon
- Funding will be used to improve huts at a camp for homeless veterans in Eugene. Improvements will include re-roofing and adding solar panels and wheelchair accessibility to huts.
House of Heroes, Chattahoochee Valley Chapter Columbus, Georgia
- Funding will assist with roof and subflooring replacement, as well as creating handicap-accessible bathrooms at the homes of several low- to moderate-income veterans and their families. These veterans have been on a waiting list for over two years to receive assistance with these vital repairs.
Small Market: Two $25,000 Grants
American Family Housing Midway City, California
- Funding will be used to install solar panels at an eco-friendly housing project, creating an energy-efficient home for chronically homeless veterans.
Legal Aid Service of Broward County Plantation, Florida
- Funding will help veterans who have experienced unexpected life events that caused them to fall behind on rent by providing legal representation and rental assistance, enabling them to get back on track and avoid eviction.
Wells Fargo has been helping military members, veterans and their families succeed financially for more than 160 years. Since 2012, Wells Fargo has donated more than 300 homes, valued at over $50 million, to veterans in all 50 states; donated more than $25 million to military- and veteran-related nonprofits; and hired more than 6,700 veterans. Learn more about Wells Fargo services and support for military and veterans at www.wellsfargo.com/military.
