Wells Fargo Foundation Awards $550,000 Grant to Expand Entrepreneur Support Programs Across Texas
The Wells Fargo Foundation's $550,000 grant to JUST Community will expand wealth-building programs for Texas entrepreneurs through a trust-based model that focuses on character rather than credit scores, addressing systemic barriers to capital access.
The Wells Fargo Foundation has awarded a $550,000 grant to JUST Community, a statewide nonprofit organization that provides equitable access to capital and support services for entrepreneurs across Texas. The funding announcement coincided with the kickoff of El Paso Start-Up Week and will expand JUST's financial empowerment and coaching model, which emphasizes building relationships with entrepreneurs and evaluating character rather than relying solely on credit scores.
This substantial investment will enable small business owners in El Paso and throughout Texas to start, grow, and sustain their businesses by providing essential tools and support systems that lead to long-term financial stability and community impact. Steve Wanta, Co-Founder and CEO of JUST, emphasized that trust forms the foundation of their approach. By building relationships with entrepreneurs and providing tools for credit, savings, and strategic investments, JUST helps business owners gain ownership of their businesses, homes, and futures, creating sustainable wealth that strengthens families and communities.
The grant announcement aligned with JUST Community's significant milestone of distributing over $1 million in loans specifically to entrepreneurs in El Paso. The organization has provided more than $40 million in loans to thousands of entrepreneurs across Texas through its trust-based model that combines capital, coaching, and supportive networks. This comprehensive approach has proven effective, with ninety percent of participants building sustainable businesses and achieving the ability to cover emergency expenses within the first 18-24 months of participation.
Alma Gonzalez, Founder of Chester Homemade Dog Treats, shared how JUST's approach transformed her business journey. After feeling invisible and struggling to find support for her idea, JUST became the first organization to see beyond the numbers and trust in her vision. This trust provided the courage to persist, and today her business is growing because someone finally recognized that passion and purpose matter alongside financial metrics.
In El Paso alone, over 100 entrepreneurs have leveraged JUST's trust-based lending model to launch and grow their businesses. The organization's expansion comes at a critical time when many small business owners face systemic barriers to traditional financing. The Wells Fargo Foundation's support will enable JUST to scale its proven model, helping more Texas entrepreneurs turn potential into lasting economic impact. Additional information about JUST Community's programs and services can be found at https://www.hellojust.com.