Nathan and Esther K Wagner
NATHAN AND ESTHER K WAGNER is a funder based in Highland Park, Illinois. Its 2024 filing reports 21 grants totaling $455,210 to organizations working in areas including Israel-related education and diplomacy, housing, civil society, school meals, and the arts.
Key facts about Nathan and Esther K Wagner
In short: Nathan and Esther K Wagner gave $455K across 21 grants in 2024 (avg $22K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- EIN
- 36-4145039
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $455,210
- Grants made (2024)
- 21
- Average grant
- $21,677
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (52% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 filing · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$455K
+34.2% YoY
Grant Count
21
+110.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$22K
-36.1% YoY
How Nathan and Esther K Wagner gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the funder is provided. Its 2024 grants include support for organizations with varied missions. Friends of ELNET says it works to educate U.S. and European leaders and citizens about Israel and promote diplomatic and cultural relations. Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness describes its work as organizing, advocacy, legal assistance, and education to prevent and end homelessness. Braver Angels says it works to strengthen civil society and reduce social polarization.
Other 2024 grantees describe their work as supporting healthy school meals (Chef Ann Foundation), open inquiry and viewpoint diversity in universities (Heterodox Academy), philanthropic education (Center for Entrepreneurial Jewish Philanthropy), meals in response to humanitarian and other crises (World Central Kitchen), and growth and healing through creative arts therapy (Institute for Therapy Through the Arts).
Grantmaking
In 2024, the funder made 21 grants totaling $455,210. Grants ranged from $4,000 to $172,500, with a median of $10,000. Notable grants included $172,500 to Washington Institute for Near East Policy, $55,000 to Friends of ELNET, $50,000 to American Israeli Education Foundation, $21,600 to StandWithUs, and $20,000 to PEF Israels Endowment Funds Inc. Each was listed for general support.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in Washington, DC (52%), New York (17%), and Illinois (16%), followed by California (5%) and Colorado (4%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 21 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $11K (2022) to $455K (2024). In 2024 it made 21 grants totaling $455K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Washington Institute for Near East Policy ($173K). Together the top 10 received $389K.
Grant Size Distribution
40 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 32 grants of 40 (80%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Institute for Near East Policy Washington, DC | General Support | $172,500 |
| Friends of Elnet Skokie, IL | General Support | $55,000 |
| American Israeli Education Foundation Washington, DC | General Support | $50,000 |
| Standwithus Los Angeles, CA | General Support | $21,600 |
| Pef Israels Endowment Funds Inc New York, NY | General Support | $20,000 |
| Central Fund for Israel New York, NY | General Support | $15,000 |
| Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness Chicago, IL | General Support | $14,130 |
| Braver Angels New York, NY | General Support | $14,000 |
| Chef Ann Foundation Boulder, CO | General Support | $14,000 |
| Arthritis Foundation - Illinois Atlanta, GA | General Support | $12,480 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Grant total | Number of grants |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $455,210 | 21 |
| 2023 | $339,100 | 10 |
| 2022 | $10,799 | 2 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Susan Wagner as president, and Joyce Croft and Linda Wagner Weiner as vice presidents.
Nathan and Esther K Wagner is led by Susan Wagner, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Susan Wagner
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joyce Croft
Vice President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Linda Wagner Weiner
Vice President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Alan Witt (2020–2023) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: 1725 Mcgovern Avenue 200, Highland Park, IL 60035
Phone: (847) 432-3666
Frequently asked questions about Nathan and Esther K Wagner
How much does Nathan and Esther K Wagner give each year?
Nathan and Esther K Wagner gave $455K across 21 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. In 2023 it gave $339K across 10 grants.
What is Nathan and Esther K Wagner's typical grant size?
Nathan and Esther K Wagner's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $21,677, across 21 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
Where does Nathan and Esther K Wagner give grants?
Nathan and Esther K Wagner gives mostly in District of Columbia: 52% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (17%) and Illinois (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (4 grants) and New York, NY (3 grants).
Does Nathan and Esther K Wagner give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Nathan and Esther K Wagner's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (21 of 21) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
Who are Nathan and Esther K Wagner's largest grantees?
Nathan and Esther K Wagner's largest 2024 grantees include Washington Institute for Near East Policy ($172,500), Friends of Elnet ($55,000) and American Israeli Education Foundation ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
What does Nathan and Esther K Wagner fund?
No mission statement for the funder is provided. Its 2024 grants include support for organizations with varied missions. Friends of ELNET says it works to educate U.S. and European leaders and citizens about Israel and promote diplomatic and cultural relations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Nathan and Esther K Wagner?
In 2024, the funder made 21 grants totaling $455,210. Grants ranged from $4,000 to $172,500, with a median of $10,000. Notable grants included $172,500 to Washington Institute for Near East Policy, $55,000 to Friends of ELNET, $50,000 to American Israeli Education Foundation, $21,600 to StandWithUs, and $20,000 to PEF Israels Endowment Funds Inc. Each was listed for general support.
What is Nathan and Esther K Wagner's EIN?
Nathan and Esther K Wagner's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4145039. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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