The Wagner Foundation Ltd
The Wagner Foundation Ltd is a private foundation based in Lyons, Wisconsin. Its 2023 IRS filing is marked as the organization’s final return, indicating that it has terminated or is winding down and appears to have stopped grantmaking.
The Wagner Foundation Ltd at a glance
In short: The Wagner Foundation Ltd gave $2.3M across 8 grants in 2023 (avg $289K), mostly in Wisconsin. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $2,309,963
- Grants made (2023)
- 8
- Average grant
- $288,745
- Median grant
- $141,427
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (76% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated September 2026. Covers 15 months (fiscal year-end changed).
How to apply to The Wagner Foundation Ltd
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 307, Lyons, WI 53148
Phone: (262) 210-7333
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Wagner Foundation Ltd funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Kelch Aviation Museum Inc ($1.0M). Together the top 8 received $2.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
51 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 27 grants of 51 (53%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2023, 76% of grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin and 24% to recipients in Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Wagner Foundation Ltd gives
- In 2023 it paid out 364% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2019 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $878K (2021) to $2.3M (2023, 15 months). In 2023 it made 8 grants totaling $2.3M.
*2023: Covers 15 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
*2023: Covers 15 months (fiscal year-end changed).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Kelch Aviation Museum Inc Brodhead, WI | General Support | $1,017,600 |
| Mano a Mano St. Paul, MN | General Support | $550,000 |
| Mid-Continent Railway Museum North Freedom, WI | General Support | $344,510 |
| Burlington Catholic Schools Burlington, WI | General Support | $182,853 |
| Commemorative Air Force Lake Superi Superior, WI | General Support | $100,000 |
| Catholic Central High School Burlington, WI | General Support | $85,000 |
| St John's Lutheran School Burlington, WI | General Support | $25,000 |
| Sauk County Social Services Baraboo, WI | General Support | $5,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023* | — | $978,383 | $2,627,419 | $2,309,963 | 8 | $2,407,311 | $768,849 | $661,659 |
| 2022 | $12,806,367 | $477,419 | $1,021,838 | $951,101 | 14 | $959,876 | $409,104 | $775,545 |
| 2021 | $13,350,786 | $533,318 | $1,003,741 | $878,382 | 14 | — | $416,439 | $771,241 |
| 2019 | $14,192,475 | $604,809 | $1,316,094 | $1,231,603 | 15 | — | $535,697 | $754,963 |
*2023: Covers 15 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Wagner Foundation Ltd reported a distributable amount of $662K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Grantmaking
In its 2023 filing year, the foundation reported 8 grants totaling $2,309,963. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $1,017,600, with a median of $141,426. All eight listed grants were for general support. Recipients included museums, schools, and social-service organizations.
The largest grants were $1,017,600 to Kelch Aviation Museum Inc. in Brodhead, Wisconsin; $550,000 to Mano a Mano in St. Paul, Minnesota; and $344,510 to Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom, Wisconsin. Other recipients included Burlington Catholic Schools ($182,853), Commemorative Air Force Lake Superi… ($100,000), Catholic Central High School ($85,000), St John’s Lutheran School ($25,000), and Sauk County Social Services ($5,000).
The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Its final-return status means this should not be taken as a current application policy.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists Roberta Wagner as President; Marcia Essman as Secretary; and Julie O’Neill as Vice President. Directors listed are Ken Essman, Robert O’Neill, Meghan Lang, Melissa Doyle, Adam Essman, Marci Rueter, and Molly Elsbury.
The Wagner Foundation Ltd is led by Roberta Wagner, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 10 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Roberta Wagner
President
On filings since 2019
$400 (2019) → $0 (2023)
Adam Essman
Director
On filings since 2019
$400 (2019) → $0 (2023)
Ken Essman
Director
On filings since 2019
$400 (2019) → $0 (2023)
Marci Rueter
Director
On filings since 2019
$400 (2019) → $0 (2023)
Meghan Lang
Director
On filings since 2019
$400 (2019) → $0 (2023)
Melissa Doyle
Director
On filings since 2019
$400 (2019) → $0 (2023)
Molly Elsbury
Director
On filings since 2019
$400 (2019) → $0 (2023)
Robert O'Neill
Director
New on the 2023 filing
No compensation reported
Julie O'Neill
Vice President
On filings since 2019
$400 (2019) → $0 (2023)
Marcia Essman
Secretary
New on the 2023 filing
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Bob O'Neill (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Marcy Essman (2019–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Emily Labadie (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2022 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2022 filing was $200, to Roberta Wagner (President/Tr). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Wagner Foundation Ltd
How much does The Wagner Foundation Ltd give each year?
The Wagner Foundation Ltd gave $2.3M across 8 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. The 2023 filing year covers 15 months because its fiscal year-end changed. In 2022 it gave $951K across 14 grants.
What is The Wagner Foundation Ltd's typical grant size?
The Wagner Foundation Ltd's median grant in 2023 was $141,427, and its average grant was $288,745, across 8 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Wagner Foundation Ltd give grants?
The Wagner Foundation Ltd gives mostly in Wisconsin: 76% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Minnesota (24%). The most frequent recipient cities were Burlington, WI (3 grants).
Does The Wagner Foundation Ltd give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Wagner Foundation Ltd's 2023 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Wagner Foundation Ltd's largest grantees?
The Wagner Foundation Ltd's largest 2023 grantees include Kelch Aviation Museum Inc ($1,017,600), Mano a Mano ($550,000) and Mid-Continent Railway Museum ($344,510), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 83% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
How do I apply for a grant from The Wagner Foundation Ltd?
The Wagner Foundation Ltd has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
How much is The Wagner Foundation Ltd required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, The Wagner Foundation Ltd reported a distributable amount of $662K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Wagner Foundation Ltd's EIN?
The Wagner Foundation Ltd's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1311452. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2023.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 13, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 6, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 23, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2023
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