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
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.
Ready to take the next step with Mary Garner Esary Trust?
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
No grants recorded for .
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
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Thurgood Marshall PTA
SEATTLE, WA
Assets
$186K
Grants
1
Total Given
$224K
The Hare Bnb Rescue Spa and Boutique
LACEY, WA
Assets
$5K
Grants
1
Total Given
$400
Cmr Foundation
STANWOOD, WA
Assets
$1.0M
Grants
2
Total Given
$1.5M
Sequim Masonic Lodge Foundation
CARLSBORG, WA
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
12
Total Given
$30K
Foundation House at Northgate
GIG HARBOR, WA
Assets
$223K
Grants
16
Total Given
$159K
Women of Wisdom Wow Tricities
RICHLAND, WA
Assets
$91K
Grants
1
Total Given
$25K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Mary Garner Esary Trust on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities