The Wls Spencer Foundation
The WLS Spencer Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 1994 and designated as a 501(c)(3) organization. The foundation is located in San Francisco, California, with an additional address listed in New York, New York. It operates as a family foundation focused on philanthropic grantmaking.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.9M
-3.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.3M
-13.2% YoY
Grant Count
22
-24.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$61K
+14.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation funds activities that foster new ideas, encourage creativity, and disrupt the status quo across four primary fields:
- K-12 Education
- Education through the Arts
- Environmental Education
- Healthcare
- The Arts
The foundation operates globally and is interested in leveraging seed grants, challenge grants, and matching grants. The foundation explicitly states it prefers not to fund endowments, operating expenses, or ongoing projects.
Grantmaking
Invitation Only
** Grant applications are currently by invitation only. Returning grantees are directed to follow reporting and renewal instructions through the foundation's website.
Ready to take the next step with The Wls Spencer Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds activities anywhere in the world.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Revenue: $1,313,741
- Total Expenses: $1,645,564
- Net Income: -$331,823
- Total Assets: $8,850,000
- Total Liabilities: $0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,853,911 | $9,185,734 | $9,800,045 |
| Revenue | $1,313,741 | $1,798,400 | $1,149,414 |
| Expenses | $1,645,564 | $1,806,436 | $1,775,654 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,505,321 | $1,686,559 | $1,626,961 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,186,839 | $978,112 | $866,334 |
| Distributable Amount | $599,195 | $562,256 | $604,687 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
161 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN S WADSWORTH JR | CIO EMERITUS | 2 | — |
| BETTE SUE WADSWORTH | CEO EMERITUS | 2 | — |
| JOHN S WADSWORTH III | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| ELIZABETH JANE WADSWORTH | CEO | 2 | — |
| PAUL WILLIAM PEPPIS | VICE PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| SHANNON WADSWORTH | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER WADSWORTH | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
Contact Information
- Website: wlsspencerfoundation.org
- Phone: +1-415-561-6540
- Address: 1660 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA 94109-5308
- EIN: 13-3799186
- Tax-Exempt Status: Since January 1995
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Launa Beuhler Foundation for
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$2K
Grants
4
Total Given
$20K
Uw E J Madden Mem Open Hearts Club 10-214880
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$307K
Hindy's Foundation
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$142K
Grants
8
Total Given
$225K
Jeanne & Thomas Hardy Family Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$3K
Grants
3
Total Given
$3K
Ramsleg Foundation
BRIGHTWATERS, NY
Assets
$543
Grants
1
Total Given
$500
Druckenmiller Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.8B
Grants
58
Total Given
$135.7M
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Wls Spencer Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities