John and Maria Laffin Trust Fund

The John and Maria Laffin Trust was established under the Will of Valentina Laffin, a lifelong Los Angeles resident, in honor of her parents. The Trust operates under the administration of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., and is part of the Wells Fargo Trust Philanthropic Services for Private Foundations. The Trust is dedicated to supporting charitable causes in four key areas: education, animal welfare, medical research, and human services. This foundation provides funding to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Specifically, grants are awarded to higher education institutions in the Los Angeles City and County areas that strive for scholastic excellence. Animal welfare organizations within the same geographic region are also eligible, particularly those focused on the preservation and humane placement of small domesticated animals. In contrast, grants for medical research and humanitarian services have no geographic limitations and are available to eligible organizations across the United States and internationally, provided they align with the Trust’s mission. The allocation of funds is pre-determined: 20 percent of the Trust’s funds support educational initiatives, 30 percent support animal welfare, 25 percent support medical research (including controversial or alternative treatments not endorsed by mainstream medical authorities), and 25 percent support humanitarian efforts to relieve global suffering and starvation. Applications must be submitted online by July 31 each year to be considered during the Trust’s annual grant meeting in September. Applicants receive an automated email confirmation upon submission, and funding decisions are typically communicated within two months of the deadline. A progress report is required within six months of receiving funding, unless otherwise specified at the time of award. The average grant size ranges from $5,000 to $10,000, with approximately 25 grants awarded annually. While the program serves all U.S. states for certain categories, educational and animal welfare projects must be located specifically in Los Angeles City or County. The Trust explicitly excludes scholarship applications, directing such inquiries instead to csascholars.org. For questions or technical support, applicants can contact Wells Fargo's grant administration team via email at grantadministration@wellsfargo.com or by phone at 1-888-235-4351.