By Keli James, PR communications coordinator

Wells Fargo invites rural and urban programs and organizations to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the 2015 Urban Focus and RISE Grant Program. Organizations do not need to be domiciled in a rural area however, 75% or more of the grant must benefit programs directly serving rural communities. For application purposes, “rural” is defined as cities or counties with a population of 35,000 or less.

Wells Fargo will provide communities focused support for the development of a viable workforce and job creation for urban cities and rural areas throughout multiple markets in California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska.

Grant focus areas include organizations and programs that support economic and workforce development and job creation including:

Individual job seekers and the self employed

• Help spur job creation and provide individuals the resources they need to obtain employment and become self- sufficient. i.e., career counseling, job training or retraining, self-employment, technical assistance.

Small business owners

• Provide job creation through local small business development i.e., business and farming technical assistance, access to capital, program training for business expansion, microloan programs.

Infrastructure development

• Community Development projects, infrastructure, capacity building, and initiatives (excluding housing development) i.e., strategic or leadership development, innovative community infrastructure solutions that lead to job creation.

Letter of Intent (LOI) applications must be received by June 19, 2015 in order to be considered. For more information on the Urban or RISE program go here: /assets/EOG 2015 LOI Invitation.pdf

To submit your LOI applications go here: www.cybergrants.com/wellsfargo/LOI