Wiley University is thrilled to announce it has been awarded a $150,000 grant from the T.D. Jakes Foundation in collaboration with Wells Fargo. This transformative funding is part of a groundbreaking philanthropic investment of $9 million aimed at fostering community development initiatives nationwide.
Wiley University is one of the black colleges supported by the Black College Fund which provides financial support to maintain solid, challenging academic programs; strong faculties; and well-equipped facilities.
The grant from T.D. Jakes Foundation and Wells Fargo is a testament to the commitment of both organizations to address historical disparities and empower marginalized communities. Wiley University joins a select group of 16 community-based organizations across the United States that will leverage this funding to bring about positive change.
The funds awarded to Wiley University will be utilized to create the Financial Literacy Wellness Center at Wiley University. This includes a dedicated space for literacy wellness, the addition of a finance/accounting professor who will increase student experience, and experiential learning that uses financial incentives to strengthen participation and alignment with the University’s career readiness/exploration goals. As a result of the gift, we will assist our community, starting with Wiley students, in achieving greater financial literacy and freedom.
“We are elated to be a recipient of such a generous grant from the T.D. Jakes Foundation and Wells Fargo,” said Herman J. Felton, Jr., Ph.D., J.D., President/CEO at Wiley University. “This support allows us to increase engagement in financial wellness and introduce opportunities that improve economic mobility through a series of activities and experiences. We are excited to open a financial wellness center and not only impact our campus community, but our surrounding residential community, aligning with our mission as a premier liberal arts institution, with an intentional focus on social good and leadership.”
The T.D. Jakes Foundation and Wells Fargo’s 10-year strategic partnership reflects a commitment to creating opportunities for historically underrepresented communities. "We have worked at the local and national level to build meaningful partnerships that help us cultivate cultural and economic shifts, and our relationship with Wells Fargo advances what we are aiming to achieve at T.D. Jakes Foundation," said Kelley Cornish, CEO of T.D. Jakes Foundation. "The grantees will use the funds to arm the next generation of college students with financial literacy and career-building skills and will create much-needed support for entrepreneurs, homebuyers, and the underserved population who have not had access to life-changing and uplifting resources."
Wiley College, Marshall TX
One of seven apportioned giving opportunities of The United Methodist Church, the Black College Fund provides financial support to maintain solid, challenging academic programs; strong faculties; and well-equipped facilities at 11 United Methodist-related historically black colleges and universities. Please encourage your leaders and congregations to support the Black College Fund apportionment at 100 percent.
