About the Program

The Wells Fargo/U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) CommunityWINSTM (Working/Investing in Neighborhood Stabilization) Grant Program is a collaborative effort between USCM, Wells Fargo Bank, and the Wells Fargo Foundation. The goal of the grant is to:

  • Assist cities with the opportunity to invest, strengthen, and address housing affordability issues.
  • Award $1,000,000 to support local nonprofit partners to cities of all sizes nationwide.

The awards are aimed to recognize outstanding mayoral-based initiatives that can assist their city in reducing the cost burden of housing and increase access to safe, affordable places to live.

The CommunityWINSTM  grant program, a collaboration between USCM and Wells Fargo, is aimed at addressing the housing affordability crisis including transitional housing, rentals, and homeownership projects and programs.

The USCM and Wells Fargo are committed to providing the opportunity for cities across the United States, through local nonprofits, to invest in and promote the long-term economic prosperity for municipalities by advancing housing affordability solutions. Together, we’re focused on strengthening, expanding, and modeling scalable, innovative housing affordability solutions to create a positive societal impact.

Wells Fargo Bank and the Wells Fargo Foundation, along with the U.S. Conference of Mayors, aim to award $1 million this year to support local nonprofits with the CommunityWINSTM (Working/Investing in Neighborhood Stabilization) grant program. For questions, please email: CommunityWINS@wellsfargo.com.

Who’s Eligible?

Your community is eligible! Every member city of the USCM* is eligible to apply for the 2020 CommunityWINSTM Grant Program. Applications must include a Letter of Support from the Mayor. A city may nominate up to three eligible nonprofit organizations of the city’s choice to apply. The eligible nonprofit must represent a U.S. based IRS qualified charitable 501(c)(3) organization with a valid tax identification number.

The eligible programs must address:

Housing Initiatives — projects designed to address housing affordability solutions to increase availability and affordability of rentals, transitional housing and/or sustainable homeownership

All programs must be initiated with the full support of the Mayor to be eligible, including those developed and implemented in collaboration with the private sector, community groups, and other partners.

Cities applying for the award must be in good membership standing with USCM.

*Mayors and non-profits who received funding in 2019 are ineligible for 2020 funding.

How Many Awards will be Granted?

Eight awards are available in 2020— two awards per population category. Awards are based on population size:

  • Metropolitan: Population greater than 500,000
  • Large: Population of 275,000 to 500,000
  • Medium: Population of 50,000 to 275,000
  • Small: Population less than 50,000

Award Breakdown