The Michael Wassmer Foundation
The Michael Wassmer Foundation is a private foundation based in Henrico, Virginia, that awards need-based scholarships to outstanding high school seniors in the Richmond area. Founded in September 2022 after Michael Wassmer’s death, the foundation says it continues his philanthropic legacy by supporting students who reflect his values of resilience, integrity, compassion, and determination.
The Michael Wassmer Foundation at a glance
In short: The Michael Wassmer Foundation gave $72K across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $7K), mostly in Virginia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $72,000
- +161.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- +150.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $7,200
- +4.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $7,500
- Total assets
- $1,640,661
- +30.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Virginia (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Michael Wassmer Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The website describes an online scholarship application and lists the required materials and eligibility criteria above.
- Review Cycle
- The website listed applications opening January 15, 2026, and being due March 15, 2026, with recipients notified April 15, 2026. These dates are past.
- Deadline
- The website listed applications opening January 15, 2026, and being due March 15, 2026, with recipients notified April…
- Contact
Application contact: Andrea Wassmer
Mailing address: PO Box 29786, Henrico, VA 23242
Phone: (804) 592-1210
Email: info@wassmerfoundation.org
Website: https://wassmerfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Michael Wassmer Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
14 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 14 grants of 14 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website identifies the City of Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, and Powhatan as the scholarship’s eligible area for the 2026 cycle. Its 2024 filing reported that all grant dollars went to recipients in Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Michael Wassmer Foundation gives
- In 2024 it paid out 98% 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 2023 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $28K (2023) to $72K (2024). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $72K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 10 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $72,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,640,661 | $539,045 | $86,504 | $72,000 | 10 | $72,899 | $249,954 | $74,304 |
| 2023 | $1,257,126 | $1,271,212 | $53,150 | $27,500 | 4 | $38,668 | $185,915 | $36,458 |
| 2022 | $168,092 | $251,626 | $16,708 | — | — | $8,354 | — | $2,698 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Michael Wassmer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $74K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated purpose is to give outstanding young adults the opportunity to follow Mike’s example of working hard and making a difference. Its scholarship program supports students with experience overcoming challenges and financial need. The website describes scholarships of $30,000 per recipient, paid directly to the recipient’s school in four annual installments.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 10 grants totaling $72,000. Individual grants ranged from $4,500 to $7,500, with a median of $7,500. All 10 were reported as scholarships. Recipients and amounts included nine individual recipients, each at $7,500; and an individual recipient at $4,500.
The foundation’s website describes an online application requiring a high school transcript, financial information, a recommendation, details about employment and activities, short essays, and a video. The website’s eligibility criteria for the 2026 scholarship cycle included residence in Richmond or Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, or Powhatan; high school graduation in spring 2026; an unweighted GPA of at least 3.5; a Student Aid Index of $25,000 or less; and plans to enroll full time at an accredited four-year U.S. college in fall 2026. The application page also asks for a video of no more than three minutes about the scholarship’s impact and plans to give back to the community.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Andrea Wassmer as president and director, Claudia Rinaldi as secretary and director, and Zachary Wassmer and Owen Wassmer as directors. The foundation’s website also lists Allie Wassmer as a junior board member.
The Michael Wassmer Foundation is led by Andrea Wassmer, President & Director on every filing since 2022; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Andrea Wassmer
President & Director
On filings since 2022
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Claudia Rinaldi
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Owen Wassmer
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Zachary Wassmer
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2024. "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 The Michael Wassmer Foundation
How much does The Michael Wassmer Foundation give each year?
The Michael Wassmer Foundation gave $72K across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $28K across 4 grants.
What is The Michael Wassmer Foundation's typical grant size?
The Michael Wassmer Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $7,500, and its average grant was $7,200, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Michael Wassmer Foundation give grants?
The Michael Wassmer Foundation gives mostly in Virginia: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does The Michael Wassmer Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on The Michael Wassmer Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "2024 Scholarship" (10 grants).
How large is The Michael Wassmer Foundation?
The Michael Wassmer Foundation reported $1.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $73K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $74K (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 The Michael Wassmer Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose is to give outstanding young adults the opportunity to follow Mike’s example of working hard and making a difference. Its scholarship program supports students with experience overcoming challenges and financial need. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Michael Wassmer Foundation?
The website describes an online scholarship application and lists the required materials and eligibility criteria above. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Michael Wassmer Foundation's EIN?
The Michael Wassmer Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 92-0384293. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2024
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