The Wenger Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1982 and based in Wayzata, Minnesota. The foundation was created by Carl and Margaret Wenger, whose family built Wengers Farm Machinery from humble beginnings into a successful business. The foundation carries forward the Wenger family's legacy of philanthropic giving across multiple sectors and geographic regions.
Key facts about Wenger Foundation
- EIN
- 41-1436658
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023
- Annual giving (2023)
- $12,562,724
- Grants made (2023)
- 5
- Average grant
- $2,512,545
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Primary geography
- California (99% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated September 2026.
Who Wenger Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Wenger Foundation's 5 itemized 2023 grants were California (99%). The most frequent recipient cities were Owatonna, MN (3 grants). None of its 5 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Assist Operations" (4 grants).
How Wenger Foundation gives
- Giving grew 3180% from 2020 to 2023. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Next steps with Wenger Foundation
- How to evaluate Wenger Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2023 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$12.6M
+4323.5% YoY
Grant Count
5
-73.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$2.5M
+16709.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's core values center on Faith, Family, Education, and Community. The foundation supports a diverse range of service areas including:
- Arts and culture
- Health and hospitals
- Human services
- Higher education
- Children and youth services
- Organizations serving at-risk youth
- Services for kids and families
- Support for individuals with special needs
Grantmaking
The foundation accepts applications from prospective grantees.
Grant Range
$5,000 to $12,490,724
Average Grant
approximately $10,000
Ready to take the next step with Wenger Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports organizations across multiple U.S. states and cities, with primary focus areas including:
- States: California, Colorado, Minnesota, New York, and the District of Columbia
- Cities: Brooklyn Park, Colorado Springs, Hopkins, Melville, Minneapolis, Northfield, Owatonna, San Francisco, St. Paul, and Washington, D.C.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 5 itemized 2023 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $13,610,491
- Total giving: $12,562,724
- Total expenses: $12,582,458
- Revenue: Negative $944,880
Tax-Exempt Status:
- EIN: 41-1436658
- Tax-exempt since April 1983
- Classification: 501(c)(3) charitable organization
- Filing requirement: Form 990-PF
| Metric | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2023
Grant Size Distribution
87 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2023 grants, the largest recipients include Schwab Charitable Fund ($12,490,724), Owatonna Arts Center Foundation ($37,000), Harry Wenger Marching Band Festival Inc ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SCHWAB CHARITABLE FUND San Francisco, CA | TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO NEWLY CREATED DAF TO FINALIZE THE DISSOLUTION OF THE WENGER FOUNDATION | $12,490,724 |
| OWATONNA ARTS CENTER FOUNDATION Owatonna, MN | ASSIST OPERATIONS | $37,000 |
| HARRY WENGER MARCHING BAND FESTIVAL INC Owatonna, MN | ASSIST OPERATIONS | $20,000 |
| LITTLE THEATRE OF OWATONNA Owatonna, MN | ASSIST OPERATIONS | $10,000 |
| NEWMAN STUDENT AWARD-ASA Melville, NY | ASSIST OPERATIONS | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Wendy Wenger Dankey – Executive Director (serves without compensation)
- Jerry A. Wenger – President (serves without compensation)
- Board Directors: Nancy Benjamin, Kirsten Johnson, and Hanna Johnson (all serve without compensation)
Compensation Overview
From 2022 IRS filing
From 2023 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wendy Wenger Dankey | Executive Director | 20 | — |
| Jerry a Wenger | President | 1 | — |
| Nancy Benjamin | Director | 1 | — |
| Kirsten Johnson | Director | 1 | — |
| Hanna Johnson | Director | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Wenger Foundation fund?
The foundation's core values center on **Faith, Family, Education, and Community**. The foundation supports a diverse range of service areas including: • Arts and culture • Health and hospitals • Human services • Higher education • Children and youth services • Organizations serving at-risk youth • Services for kids and families • Support for individuals with special needs
How do I apply for a grant from Wenger Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2023: $12,562,724 • Number of grants (2023): 5 grants • Grant range: $5,000 to $12,490,724 • Median grant size: $20,000 • Average grant size: approximately $10,000 **Application Status:** The foundation accepts applications from prospective grantees.
Where does Wenger Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports organizations across multiple U.S. states and cities, with primary focus areas including: • **States:** California, Colorado, Minnesota, New York, and the District of Columbia • **Cities:** Brooklyn Park, Colorado Springs, Hopkins, Melville, Minneapolis, Northfield, Owatonna, San Francisco, St. Paul, and Washington, D.C.
What size grants does Wenger Foundation award?
In 2023, Wenger Foundation awarded 5 grants totaling $12.6M — an average of about $2.5M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Wenger Foundation's EIN?
Wenger Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1436658. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.