Hope Grows in Wells Fargo Small Business Support Campaign

Across the US — in every town and on every street — hope has felt a little elusive recently. But Wells Fargo believes that hope can, and should, be found everywhere. Hope is all about inspiring hope to those who need it the most. 

Small businesses are vital to so many of our communities, which is why Wells Fargo has launched 'Hope, USA', an initiative created with an Omnicom integrated team consisting of BBDO San Francisco, Interfuse, Alma, RAPP & OMD along with Wells Fargo’s in-house agency, IHA, to share joy and possibility with customers and communities in support of small businesses nationwide. 

By working with nonprofits, Wells Fargo is teaming up with community leaders and locals in sixteen cities across the country to help spruce up business districts ahead of the prime holiday shopping season.

Hope, USA builds on Wells Fargo’s ongoing support for small business, including:

- Working together with more than 3 million small businesses across the country to help them get back to thriving.

- Helping approximately 282,000 small businesses get the funding they need in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to keep 1.7 million people at work. *

- Creating its Open for Business Fund, a roughly $420 million recovery effort offering capital, technical assistance, and long-term programs for small businesses by working through local nonprofits.

- Helping Community Development Financial Institutions generate an anticipated $1 billion in financing for small business owners.

Revitalization efforts have included physical updates to hard-hit small businesses, such as painting, signage, and repairs as well as adding seasonal décor to help attract additional foot traffic. Wells Fargo employees worked alongside local contractors through nonprofits, to help beautify and revitalize local business districts in time for holiday shopping.

One such revitalization effort took place in a business district in West Philadelphia. The 52nd Street corridor has long been in need of a helping hand. And the Hope, USA initiative was able to give it exactly that. 

Della Clark, President of The Enterprise Center there said, “We have hoped and prayed in this neighborhood for a long time to attract investment capital that will help restore and transform this community.”

Hope, USA is all about making these resources available to those who need them most. "Access to capital is an issue for a lot of small businesses," said Stephen Briggs, Vice President of Community Relations for Wells Fargo. 

The campaign launched nationally with the community rejuvenation projects being documented in partnership with The Kelly Clarkson Show and Good Morning America. It was supported with TV advertising, print, digital and radio. 

Thiago Cruz, CCO of BBDO SF says, “I’m never prouder of my clients than when they’re out there in the world, using their time and resources to make life better for those around us."

Hope, USA is being coordinated with local nonprofits working in communities in sixteen cities across the country including: Atlanta, Charlotte, Des Moines, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles/ Orange County, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Francisco, St. Louis and Washington D.C.