Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc
Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc. is a private foundation based in Greenville, Delaware. Its 2025 grants supported organizations and projects in the arts, history and historic preservation, education, and scholarship.
Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc gave $1.8M across 6 grants in 2025 (avg $308K), mostly in Wisconsin. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,846,646
- +2.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 6
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $307,774
- +2.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $209,823
- Total assets
- $28,439,285
- -1.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (72% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 4001 Kennett Pike 218, Greenville, DE 19807
Phone: (302) 426-4911
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum Inc ($1.1M). Together the top 6 received $1.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
30 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 9 grants of 30 (30%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin (72%), Washington, DC (14%), Virginia (9%), and Massachusetts (5%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 21% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 97% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.5M (2022) to $2.0M (2023). In 2025 it made 6 grants totaling $1.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum Inc Wausau, WI | Purchase of Art Objects for Its Permanent Collection | $1,070,000 |
| Marathon County Historical Society Wausau, WI | In Support of General Operations | $255,000 |
| National Trust for Historic Preservation Washington, DC | In Support of Chesterwood | $250,000 |
| The Montpelier Foundation Montpelier Station, VA | Annual Fund Challenge Grant | $169,646 |
| Lawrence Catholic Academy Lawrence, MA | Campaign for Lawrence Catholic Academy | $95,000 |
| Uwmc Foundation Wausau, WI | Fund scholarship to a qualified student from lakeland union high school | $7,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $28,439,285 | $2,774,065 | $2,100,966 | $1,846,646 | 6 | $1,846,646 | $2,566,586 | $1,901,174 |
| 2024 | $28,915,354 | $3,452,473 | $2,090,202 | $1,808,357 | 6 | $1,808,357 | $3,157,472 | $1,849,572 |
| 2023 | $29,327,076 | $1,805,173 | $2,180,775 | $1,967,500 | 6 | $1,967,785 | $1,909,980 | $1,816,270 |
| 2022 | $30,206,504 | $2,909,391 | $1,794,295 | $1,524,500 | 6 | $1,530,654 | $2,633,342 | $1,961,685 |
| 2021 | $29,191,408 | $2,359,221 | $1,748,710 | $1,530,500 | 6 | — | $2,152,205 | $1,691,938 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.9M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement is provided. The grants listed for 2025 include support for an art museum’s permanent collection, a historical society’s general operations, historic preservation, a school campaign, and a student scholarship.
The Marathon County Historical Society says its mission is to foster study of the history of Marathon County and the surrounding area, and to collect, preserve, and display historical records, documents, and objects for future generations.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made six grants totaling $1,846,646. Grant amounts ranged from $7,000 to $1,070,000, with a median of $209,823. Its largest 2025 grants included:
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists John P Garniewski Jr as president and director; Walter Dillingham and Christine L Myshchyshyn as directors; and Michele L Ahwash as secretary.
Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc is led by John P. Garniewski Jr., President & Director on every filing since 2021; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
John P. Garniewski Jr.
President & Director
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Walter Dillingham
Director
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christine L. Myshchyshyn
Director
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michele L. Ahwash
Secretary
On filings since 2024
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Nancy C. Orr (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Carol Kroch (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc
How much does Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc give each year?
Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc gave $1.8M across 6 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.8M across 6 grants.
What is Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $209,823, and its average grant was $307,774, across 6 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc give grants?
Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc gives mostly in Wisconsin: 72% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were District of Columbia (14%) and Virginia (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Wausau, WI (3 grants).
Does Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 33% of Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum Inc ($1,070,000), Marathon County Historical Society ($255,000) and National Trust for Historic Preservation ($250,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 85% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc?
Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc reported $28.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement is provided. The grants listed for 2025 include support for an art museum’s permanent collection, a historical society’s general operations, historic preservation, a school campaign, and a student scholarship. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc's EIN?
Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1367383. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 4, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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