The Mary Garner Esary Trust is a private charitable trust established in 1998 and based in Walla Walla, Washington. The trust was created to honor the legacy of Mary Garner Esary, an educator and librarian with deep roots in the Walla Walla Valley community. The trust provides grants to charitable organizations located in or serving the Walla Walla Valley region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
-100.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.4M
+2158.4% YoY
Grant Count
22
+22.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$155K
+1747.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Mary Garner Esary Trust reported a distributable amount of $161K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The trust's primary focus is supporting scholarships and educational programs, reflecting Mary Garner Esary's lifelong dedication to education. The trust provides funding for scholarships and has demonstrated support for educational institutions and programs throughout the Walla Walla Valley.
Grantmaking
The trust has awarded grants ranging from $3,500 to larger amounts, with documented scholarship grants to educational institutions. Recent grant activity shows the trust awarded approximately $151,000 in 2024 across 18 grants. Historical data indicates total giving of $3,400,589, with typical awards ranging from $300 to $3,303,881.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The trust primarily funds projects and initiatives within Washington State, with a specific focus on the Walla Walla Valley. Documented funding extends to organizations in College Place, Kennewick, Seattle, Spokane, Walla Walla, and Yakima.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: Approximately $3.3 million
- Annual Grants (2024): $151,000
- Total Giving (Historical): $3,400,589
- Annual Expenses: Approximately $199,417
- Annual Revenue: Approximately $59,489
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | $3,308,243 | $3,448,171 |
| Revenue | $33,089 | $59,489 | $459,468 |
| Expenses | $3,429,750 | $199,417 | $211,368 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,404,589 | $150,575 | $169,150 |
| Net Investment Income | $7,928 | $51,204 | $417,250 |
| Distributable Amount | $161,388 | $148,489 | $150,359 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
142 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Blue Mountain Community Foundation ($3,303,881), Blue Mountain Community Foundation ($19,043), Walla Walla Public School ($17,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY SEATTLE, WA | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $2,500 |
| BLUE MOUNTAIN ACTION COUNCIL WALLA WALLA, WA | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $3,000 |
| BLUE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WALLA WALLA, WA | ENDOWMENT | $3,303,881 |
| BLUE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WALLA WALLA, WA | ENDOWMENT | $19,043 |
| CAMPFIRE WALLA WALLA, WA | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $3,500 |
| CITY OF WALLA WALLA WALLA WALLA, WA | PARKS & RECREATION | $4,000 |
| COMMUNITY COUNCIL WALLA WALLA, WA | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $3,500 |
| EARLY LIFE SPEECH & LANGUAGE WALLA WALLA, WA | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $3,000 |
| FORT WALLA WALLA MUSEUM WALLA WALLA, WA | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $4,500 |
| FRIENDS OF CHILDREN OF WALLA WALLA WALLA WALLA, WA | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $3,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Robert L. Zagelow serves as the current trustee of the Mary Garner Esary Trust. He works approximately 5 hours and receives compensation of $12,000. The trust was previously managed by Kenneth Garner (Mary's brother) and later by the Minnick Hayner Law Office before transitioning to Zagelow's management.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT L ZAGELOW | TRUSTEE | 5 | $8,000 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Mary Garner Esary Trust fund?
The trust's primary focus is supporting scholarships and educational programs, reflecting Mary Garner Esary's lifelong dedication to education. The trust provides funding for scholarships and has demonstrated support for educational institutions and programs throughout the Walla Walla Valley.
How do I apply for a grant from Mary Garner Esary Trust?
The trust has awarded grants ranging from $3,500 to larger amounts, with documented scholarship grants to educational institutions. Recent grant activity shows the trust awarded approximately $151,000 in 2024 across 18 grants. Historical data indicates total giving of $3,400,589, with typical awards ranging from $300 to $3,303,881. The trust is open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding.
Where does Mary Garner Esary Trust make grants?
The trust primarily funds projects and initiatives within Washington State, with a specific focus on the Walla Walla Valley. Documented funding extends to organizations in College Place, Kennewick, Seattle, Spokane, Walla Walla, and Yakima.
What size grants does Mary Garner Esary Trust award?
In 2024, Mary Garner Esary Trust awarded 22 grants totaling $3.4M — an average of about $155K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Mary Garner Esary Trust required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Mary Garner Esary Trust reported a distributable amount of $161K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Mary Garner Esary Trust's EIN?
Mary Garner Esary Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1901307. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Mary Garner Esary Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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