The Wagner Foundation
The Wagner Foundation is a private foundation, based in Reno, NV. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $5.2M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 7 grants totaling $257K. Net investment income was $233K.
The Wagner Foundation at a glance
In short: The Wagner Foundation gave $257K across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $37K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $256,620
- -10.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- -30.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $36,660
- +28.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $5,183,952
- -2.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Wagner Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Cal Poly Athletics ($78K). Together the top 6 received $130K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($126,470), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
31 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 19 grants of 31 (61%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Wagner Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−4%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 103% 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $150K (2023) to $286K (2024). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $257K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 individual scholarship Recipients not named | — | $126,470 |
| Cal Poly Athletics San Luis Obispo, CA | Tennis Pavilion | $78,000 |
| Eisenhower Medical Center Foundation Rancho Mirage, CA | Medical Care | $50,000 |
| Bigfork Rotary Foundation Inc Bigfork, MT | 5K/10K Run Sponsorship | $1,000 |
| Desert Scholarship Foundation - Arnold Palmer Education Fund Palm Desert, CA | Support of the Scholarship Endowment | $500 |
| Hopekids - Saddle up for Hope Scottsdale, AZ | Support for Children | $450 |
| Logan Health Kalispell, MT | Breast Cancer | $200 |
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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 | $5,183,952 | $246,024 | $376,475 | $256,620 | 7 | $269,956 | $232,836 | $260,916 |
| 2024 | $5,314,403 | $291,333 | $401,053 | $285,768 | 10 | $293,802 | $281,928 | $259,579 |
| 2023 | $5,424,123 | $393,777 | $271,330 | $150,125 | 4 | $205,787 | $338,118 | $263,985 |
| 2022 | $5,301,852 | $528,639 | $343,965 | $267,860 | 5 | $305,726 | $490,400 | $265,570 |
| 2020 | $5,206,573 | $63,829 | $303,753 | $218,000 | 5 | — | $139,805 | $272,572 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Wagner Foundation reported a distributable amount of $261K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Wagner Foundation's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; all 2 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Barbara Y. Gillespie
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$30K (2020) → $70K (2025)
Troy S. Gillespie
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$10K (2020) → $10K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $70K, to Barbara Y Gillespie (Treasurer/Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Wagner Foundation
How much does The Wagner Foundation give each year?
The Wagner Foundation gave $257K across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $286K across 10 grants.
What is The Wagner Foundation's typical grant size?
The Wagner Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $36,660, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Wagner Foundation give grants?
The Wagner Foundation gives mostly in California: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does The Wagner Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on The Wagner Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Wagner Foundation's largest grantees?
The Wagner Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Cal Poly Athletics ($78,000), Eisenhower Medical Center Foundation ($50,000) and Bigfork Rotary Foundation Inc ($1,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($126,470), which are not listed by name. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Wagner Foundation?
The Wagner Foundation reported $5.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $270K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $261K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Wagner Foundation's EIN?
The Wagner Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-2532631. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 18, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Wagner Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Wagner Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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