Wagner Foundation is a private independent foundation headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Established in 2005, the foundation has evolved from a locally-focused grantmaker into an organization with international reach. The foundation operates a gallery space that displays rotating art exhibitions by contemporary visual artists whose work addresses the role of art in civic life.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$161.1M
-3.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$12.5M
-5.0% YoY
Grant Count
132
-2.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$95K
-2.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Wagner Foundation reported a distributable amount of $11.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Vision: A just, vibrant, and healthy world centered around shared humanity and the equal value of all people.
The foundation's grantmaking focuses on three primary areas:
- Health Equity: Improving health equity by strengthening healthcare systems and addressing underlying social drivers that impact health
- Economic Wellbeing: Fostering inclusive economies that provide everyone with the opportunity to achieve economic wellbeing
- Art & Culture: Supporting the transformative power of art and culture
Geographic Evolution: The foundation began with a local focus on Greater Boston, funding programs in elementary and secondary education, universities, hospitals, and human service organizations. Following exposure to the work of Partners In Health, the foundation expanded its geographic reach and now funds initiatives in the US, Africa, Latin America, and Haiti.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $3,000 to $3,000,000.
Ready to take the next step with Wagner Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations and initiatives in:
- United States (including Massachusetts, New York, and California)
- Africa
- Latin America
- Haiti
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $161,143,389 (2024)
- Total Assets: $168,000,000 (2023)
- Total Giving: $12,534,222 (2024)
- Annual Revenue: $7,900,000 (2023)
- Annual Expenses: $15,500,000 (2023)
- Total Liabilities: $4,690 (2023)
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) private independent foundation; tax-exempt since January 2004; EIN 20-6079941
Staffing: 7 employees
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $161,143,389 | $167,759,079 | $175,331,276 |
| Revenue | $8,865,912 | $7,904,161 | $12,287,957 |
| Expenses | $15,489,669 | $15,470,355 | $16,148,365 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $14,995,993 | $15,039,540 | $15,701,025 |
| Net Investment Income | $12,302,453 | $1,225,507 | — |
| Distributable Amount | $10,973,142 | $10,073,334 | $9,344,726 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Fund for Catholic Schools Inc ($250,000), Build Health International ($200,000), Boston Medical Center ($185,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACCOMPANY DOULA CARE INC JAMAICA PLAIN, MA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| AFRICAN VISIONARY FUND INC BOSTON, MA | AFRICAN VISIONARY FUND'S HEALTH PORTFOLIO | $100,000 |
| ALIANZA DV SERVICES INC HOLYOKE, MA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| ART COUNCIL INC BROOKLYN, NY | BOSTON ARTADIA AWARD | $30,000 |
| ART PAPERS INC ATLANTA, GA | 'FIRE ECOLOGY' PROGRAMMING | $60,000 |
| ARTS & BUSINESS COUNCIL OF GREATER BOSTON BOSTON, MA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR ART STAYS HERE COALITION | $10,000 |
| BAMS FEST INC DORCHESTER, MA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| BLACK HISTORY IN ACTION FOR CAMBRIDGEPORT CAMBRIDGE, MA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| BOSTON ART REVIEW INC CAMBRIDGE, MA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $75,000 |
| BOSTON CENTER FOR THE ARTS INC BOSTON, MA | STUDIO PROGRAM | $90,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Caroline Easley: Executive Director (joined November 2025)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| HERBERT S WAGNER III | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| CHARLOTTE R CRAMER WAGNER | TRUSTEE | 40 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Wagner Arts Fellowship (2026):** The foundation announced its inaugural Wagner Arts Fellowship program, awarding $75,000 to selected artists. Three Greater Boston artists received awards in the inaugural cohort.
Announcing the 2026 Wagner Arts Fellows - United States Artists**2025 Grantee Partners:** The foundation announced its 2025 grantee partners, reflecting its commitment to health equity, economic wellbeing, and art and culture initiatives.
Announcing Wagner Foundation 2025 Grantee Partners - Wagner Foundation**Wagner Gallery:** The foundation operates a gallery space in Cambridge that displays rotating exhibitions by local, national, and internationally renowned contemporary visual artists.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Wagner Foundation fund?
**Vision:** A just, vibrant, and healthy world centered around shared humanity and the equal value of all people. The foundation's grantmaking focuses on three primary areas: • **Health Equity:** Improving health equity by strengthening healthcare systems and addressing underlying social drivers that impact health • **Economic Wellbeing:** Fostering inclusive economies that provide everyone with the opportunity to achieve economic wellbeing • **Art & Culture:** Supporting the transformative pow…
How do I apply for a grant from Wagner Foundation?
**Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $3,000 to $3,000,000. **Total Giving:** $12,534,222 (based on most recent IRS Form 990 filing for 2024) **Primary Focus Areas:** Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services, with primary geographic concentration in Massachusetts, New York, and California. **Recent Activity:** The foundation announced its 2025 grantee partners and launched the inaugural Wagner Arts Fellowship in 2026, which provides $75,000 awards to artists.
Where does Wagner Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds organizations and initiatives in: • United States (including Massachusetts, New York, and California) • Africa • Latin America • Haiti
What size grants does Wagner Foundation award?
In 2024, Wagner Foundation awarded 132 grants totaling $12.5M — an average of about $95K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Wagner Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Wagner Foundation reported a distributable amount of $11.0M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Wagner Foundation's EIN?
Wagner Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-6079941. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Wagner Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Conservation Food and Health Foundation
BOSTON, MA
Assets
$14.6M
Grants
49
Total Given
$2.2M
Charles J Tasker Memorial Scholarship Fund
HANOVER, MA
Assets
$98K
Grants
1
Total Given
$8K
The Bulens Family Foundation
WELLESLEY, MA
Assets
$3.0M
Grants
68
Total Given
$956K
Marshall M & Barbara J Sloane Pvt Found
CHESTNUT HILL, MA
Assets
$1.2M
Grants
11
Total Given
$75K
John J Mcardle Iii & Joan C Mcardle
ANDOVER, MA
Assets
$1.8M
Grants
13
Total Given
$205K
Massachusetts Association of Realtors
FOXBOROUGH, MA
Assets
$18.1M
Grants
2
Total Given
$71K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Wagner 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
Go from researching Wagner Foundation to a real strategy.