The WLS Spencer Foundation
The WLS Spencer Foundation is a private foundation located in New York, New York. It funds activities intended to foster new ideas, encourage creativity, and disrupt the status quo in education, the arts, and environmental sustainability.
The WLS Spencer Foundation at a glance
In short: The WLS Spencer Foundation gave $1.6M across 21 grants in 2025 (avg $77K), top state Oregon. 28% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,626,892
- +20.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 21
- -4.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $77,471
- +26.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $8,943,582
- +1.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (5 of 18, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Oregon (34% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The WLS Spencer Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation’s website says applications are by invitation only, so it does not accept unsolicited requests through that process. The 2025 filing says applications should be submitted in writing to Pacific Foundation Services, reports no submission deadlines, and states there are no restrictions or limitations on awards. Returning grantees can use the foundation’s online grants portal for reports and renewals; current grantees seeking renewal are instructed to request access to the renewal proposal. The renewal materials call for a project description, objectives and expected results, measures of effectiveness, a project budget, and a recent financial statement.
- Contact
Application contact: Pacific Foundation Services
Mailing address: 1660 Bush Street Suite 300, San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: (415) 561-6540
Website: https://wlsspencerfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The WLS Spencer Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art ($350K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
150 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 91 grants of 150 (61%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Oregon (34%), New York (23%), Massachusetts (22%), California (20%), and Washington (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 21 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The WLS Spencer Foundation open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 18 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. With only 18 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $96K; repeat grants $88K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 50% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+7%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 298% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $825K (2020) to $1.6M (2025). In 2025 it made 21 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art North Adams, MA | Digital Strategy Implementation | $250,000 |
| The Surfrider Foundation San Clemente, CA | To Support the Plastic Pollution Initiative | $250,000 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc Purchase, NY | Ms Gift PM North County HII | $175,000 |
| University of Oregon Foundation Eugene, OR | To Support the Contemporary Chinese Photography Collection | $170,526 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc Purchase, NY | Ms Gift PM North County HII | $125,000 |
| Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art North Adams, MA | Development of a New Department of Public Programs | $100,000 |
| KLCC Public Radio Foundation Eugene, OR | Journalism Fellowship and Arts Reporting | $75,000 |
| Charitable Partnership Fund Portland, OR | Undergrowth educational print fund apprenticeship and artist in residence programs | $60,000 |
| Lane County School District 4J Eugene, OR | To support avid elementary school and summer institute programs | $50,180 |
| Lane Arts Council Eugene, OR | Arts Education and Cultural Programming in Lane County | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The WLS Spencer Foundation?
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 | $8,943,582 | $1,954,987 | $1,865,316 | $1,626,892 | 21 | $1,732,613 | $1,786,234 | $581,709 |
| 2024 | $8,853,911 | $1,313,741 | $1,645,564 | $1,349,201 | 22 | $1,505,321 | $1,186,839 | $599,195 |
| 2023 | $9,185,734 | $1,798,400 | $1,806,436 | $1,554,171 | 29 | $1,686,559 | $978,112 | $562,256 |
| 2022 | $9,800,045 | $1,149,414 | $1,775,654 | $1,524,538 | 39 | $1,626,961 | $866,334 | $604,687 |
| 2021 | $10,574,247 | $2,696,208 | $1,705,214 | $1,481,447 | 39 | $1,578,410 | $1,434,876 | $656,224 |
| 2020 | $10,644,384 | $1,464,005 | $1,034,816 | $825,393 | 32 | — | $802,372 | $490,640 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The WLS Spencer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $582K for 2025 — 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 mission is to fund activities that foster new ideas, encourage creativity, and disrupt the status quo in education, the arts, and environmental sustainability. Its website identifies three areas: K–12 programs that encourage students to stay in school, graduate high school, and pursue higher education; public arts programs centered on art-making and production, as well as programs that foster cross-cultural dialogue; and environmental programs that bring diverse communities together to preserve and protect natural resources.
Its 2025 grants included support for arts and cultural organizations, education programs, journalism, and environmental work. For example, the Surfrider Foundation received support for its Plastic Pollution Initiative; the foundation describes its own mission as protecting and promoting enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves, and beaches. The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art received grants for digital strategy implementation and public-program development; it describes its mission as presenting visual and performing arts and related educational programs for the public. The University of Oregon Foundation received support for a contemporary Chinese photography collection. It describes its role as supporting and assisting the university.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 21 grants totaling $1,626,892. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $250,000, with a median of $50,000. Among the largest awards were $250,000 to the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art for digital strategy implementation and $250,000 to the Surfrider Foundation for its Plastic Pollution Initiative. Other notable grants included $170,526 to the University of Oregon Foundation for a contemporary Chinese photography collection, $75,000 to KLCC Public Radio Foundation for a journalism fellowship and arts reporting, and $50,000 to Lane Arts Council for arts education and cultural programming in Lane County.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists John S Wadsworth Jr as CIO emeritus, Bette Sue Wadsworth as CEO emeritus, John S Wadsworth III as treasurer, Elizabeth Jane Wadsworth as CEO, Paul William Peppis as vice president, and Shannon Wadsworth and Christopher Wadsworth as directors.
The WLS Spencer Foundation is led by Elizabeth Jane Wadsworth, CEO on every filing since 2020; none of the 7 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Elizabeth Jane Wadsworth
CEO
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Wadsworth
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shannon Wadsworth
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bette Sue Wadsworth
CEO Emeritus
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John S. Wadsworth III
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John S. Wadsworth Jr.
CIO Emeritus
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul William Peppis
Vice President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about The WLS Spencer Foundation
How much does The WLS Spencer Foundation give each year?
The WLS Spencer Foundation gave $1.6M across 21 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.3M across 22 grants.
What is The WLS Spencer Foundation's typical grant size?
The WLS Spencer Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $50,000, and its average grant was $77,471, across 21 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The WLS Spencer Foundation that year got $96K on average.
Where does The WLS Spencer Foundation give grants?
The WLS Spencer Foundation's top state is Oregon, with 34% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (23%) and Massachusetts (22%). The most frequent recipient cities were Eugene, OR (8 grants), Purchase, NY (3 grants), North Adams, MA (2 grants) and Portland, OR (2 grants).
Does The WLS Spencer Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 10% of The WLS Spencer Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 21) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Ms Gift PM North County HII" (3 grants).
Who are The WLS Spencer Foundation's largest grantees?
The WLS Spencer Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art ($350,000 across 2 grants), Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc ($320,000 across 3 grants) and The Surfrider Foundation ($250,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 57% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The WLS Spencer Foundation?
The WLS Spencer Foundation reported $8.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $582K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The WLS Spencer Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to fund activities that foster new ideas, encourage creativity, and disrupt the status quo in education, the arts, and environmental sustainability. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The WLS Spencer Foundation?
The foundation’s website says applications are by invitation only, so it does not accept unsolicited requests through that process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The WLS Spencer Foundation's EIN?
The WLS Spencer Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3799186. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The WLS Spencer Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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 May 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The WLS Spencer Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The WLS Spencer Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The WLS Spencer Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-wls-spencer-foundation-morg_04828934081642778c083e31f7cbe888
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_133799186_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The WLS Spencer Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-wls-spencer-foundation-morg_04828934081642778c083e31f7cbe888},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The WLS Spencer Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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