Wenger Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Myerstown, Pennsylvania, established in 1996. The foundation was created by Carl and Margaret Wenger to support philanthropic causes in their community and beyond. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) private nonoperating foundation with a mission centered on giving for education, health care, and family services.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.8M
+10.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$599K
-0.0% YoY
Grant Count
42
+10.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$14K
-9.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Wenger Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $80K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is giving primarily for education, health care, and family services. The organization identifies four core values that guide its grantmaking: Faith, Family, Education, and Community.
The foundation supports initiatives across multiple subject areas including:
- Education
- Health
- Religion
- Human services
- Family services
Grantmaking
The foundation made 28 grants in its most recent fiscal year (2024). Recent grantees include:
Ready to take the next step with Wenger Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports organizations across multiple states including Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. Primary focus areas include Pennsylvania, New York, and Kentucky.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $1,789,988
- Total Revenue: $807,382
- Total Expenses: $733,427
- Net Income: $73,955
- Total Liabilities: $0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,789,988 | $1,613,497 | $1,705,121 |
| Revenue | $807,382 | $471,598 | $390,854 |
| Expenses | $733,427 | $727,902 | $940,017 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $599,562 | $608,598 | $848,144 |
| Net Investment Income | $100,155 | $90,195 | $8,121 |
| Distributable Amount | $79,951 | $76,896 | $87,769 |
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
180 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Lebanon Valley Bible Church ($161,557), Oaks Community Church - Graeve Daf ($84,155), On Fire Youth Ministries ($49,140).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 20SCHEMES BARDSTOWN, KY | GENERAL PURPOSE | $1,000 |
| AG-INDUSTIRAL NEW HOLLAND, PA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $2,650 |
| BEME LATIN AMERICA BURLINGTON, IA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $2,000 |
| BEREAN BIBLE CHURCH EPHRATA, PA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $7,000 |
| BIG PICTURE SOCCER HARRISONBURG, VA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $1,200 |
| BOB JONES UNIV GREENVILLE, SC | GENERAL PURPOSE | $2,000 |
| BRETHREN DISASTER RELIEF MARIETTA, PA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $7,400 |
| BURKHOLDER FAMILY FOUNDATION MYERSTOWN, PA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $1,500 |
| CALVARY CHAPEL LEBANON, PA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $34,288 |
| COBYS FAMILY SERVICES LEOLA, PA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $31,665 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key personnel include:
- President: Rose E. Walmer
- Treasurer: Nancy J. Layser
- Secretary: Adam Wenger
The foundation was founded by Carl Wenger (May 20, 1932 – April 30, 2021) and Margaret Wenger. Carl began his entrepreneurial career in 1947 as a "nickel man" at local auctions, eventually building Wengers Farm Machinery into a successful business. The foundation reflects the philanthropic values of Carl and Margaret and continues to be guided by their children and grandchildren.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROSE E WALMER | PRESIDENT | — | $20,000 |
| NANCY J LAYSER | TREASURER | — | — |
| ADAM WENGER | SECRETARY | — | — |
| MARGARET I WENGER | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| ROGER NORTH | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| MOLLY DUBBLE | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation's premier annual event is the Praise Dinner, first held in 1996 as a memorial dinner for Carl and Margaret Wenger. This event continues to be a significant gathering for the foundation's community engagement efforts.
[PDF] 2024 Annual Report - Kosciusko County Community FoundationCarl Wenger passed away on April 30, 2021, leaving a legacy of philanthropic impact that continues through the foundation's ongoing grantmaking activities.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Wenger Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission is giving primarily for education, health care, and family services. The organization identifies four core values that guide its grantmaking: Faith, Family, Education, and Community. The foundation supports initiatives across multiple subject areas including: • Education • Health • Religion • Human services • Family services
How do I apply for a grant from Wenger Foundation Inc?
The foundation made 28 grants in its most recent fiscal year (2024). Recent grantees include: • Lebanon Valley Bible Church ($161,557) • On-Fire Youth Ministries ($49,140) • Jubilee Ministries ($36,176) Grant amounts typically range from $500 to $215,184. The foundation has distributed over $5.7 million cumulatively since its establishment. The foundation's annual giving totaled $599,369 in 2024, with total expenses of $733,427.
Where does Wenger Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation supports organizations across multiple states including Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. Primary focus areas include Pennsylvania, New York, and Kentucky.
What size grants does Wenger Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Wenger Foundation Inc awarded 42 grants totaling $599K — an average of about $14K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Wenger Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Wenger Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $80K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Wenger Foundation Inc's EIN?
Wenger Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-1779023. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Wenger Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
The Wolf Creek Operating Foundation
WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, PA
Assets
$7.1M
Grants
0
Total Given
—
The Best Little Cat House in PA
HARRISBURG, PA
Assets
$281K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Willis and Elsie Shenk Foundation
LANCASTER, PA
Assets
$9.4M
Grants
35
Total Given
$304K
The Irene P Sorbara Charitable Foundation
PITTSBURGH, PA
Assets
$2.5M
Grants
2
Total Given
$131K
Howmet Aerospace Foundation
PITTSBURGH, PA
Assets
$141.5M
Grants
209
Total Given
$8.4M
Penn and Lisa Seiple Conservancy
SUNBURY, PA
Assets
$1.5M
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Wenger Foundation Inc 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 Wenger Foundation Inc to a real strategy.