Wells Fargo donated $6.3M to back N.J. nonprofits in 2018

Wells Fargo said in 2018, it had donated more than $6.3 million to support New Jersey nonprofits on issues such as affordable housing, small business growth, economic equity and inclusion, access to education, and climate change.

The 412 total grants for the year — when combined with a $400,000 grant donated by the company’s New Jersey team members — provided nonprofits in the state with a total of $6.7 million in grants from Wells Fargo (an average daily donation of $18,356).

“Across our community, many residents are working hard to make ends meet,” Deborah Smith, community affairs manager for New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, Wells Fargo, said. “Here in New Jersey, we want to help people find a stable place to live, help small business owners expand, and help young people gain a quality education that prepares them for the workforce. We are determined to help people and communities, especially in underserved areas, succeed financially. We will continue to provide philanthropy, volunteers, expertise and other resources to revitalize and strengthen local neighborhoods.”

Wells Fargo team members in New Jersey also volunteered more than 26,000 hours in 2018 to support nonprofits. The company said those hours are equal to $641,940.

“Part of what makes Wells Fargo unique is the generosity of our team members who help multiply our community impact,” Smith said.  “Sometimes giving our time is even more valuable than money because it puts our desire to build a strong community into action and gives us a tangible way to personally make a difference.”