WGU Advancement
To support the educational and charitable purposes of western governors university by engaging in fund-raising activities, including identifying opportunities for funded research projects, building alumni outreach, soliciting support from government agencies and private foundations, and other related activities.
WGU Advancement at a glance
In short: WGU Advancement gave $6.2M across 6 grants in 2022 (avg $1.0M), mostly in Utah. Source: 2022 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2022)
- $6,188,907
- Grants made (2022)
- 6
- Average grant
- $1,031,485
- Median grant
- $516,425
- Primary geography
- Utah (96% of itemized 2022 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2022 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2022; updated September 2026. Covers 18 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Who WGU Advancement funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2022
The largest 2022 recipient was Western Governors University ($3.5M). Together the top 5 received $6.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
8 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 3 grants of 8 (38%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2022 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2022, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2019) to $8.7M (2021). In 2022 it made 6 grants totaling $6.2M.
*2022: Covers 18 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
*2022: Covers 18 months (fiscal year-end changed).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Western Governors University Salt Lake City, UT | Remittances to WGU | $3,548,008 |
| WGU Corporation Salt Lake City, UT | Remittances to WGU | $1,578,049 |
| WGU Labs Salt Lake City, UT | Transactions for WGU Labs | $814,750 |
| Rivet School Oakland, CA | Transactions for Rivet Academy | $218,100 |
| WGU Academy Salt Lake City, UT | Transactions for WGU Academy | $15,000 |
| WGU Academy Salt Lake City, UT | Transactions for WGU Academy | $15,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022* | — | $20,829,480 | $12,841,991 | $6,188,907 | 6 | $63,578 |
| 2021 | $262,529 | $10,776,481 | $11,522,458 | $8,651,970 | 2 | $127 |
| 2020 | $657,564 | $4,812,291 | $6,312,366 | $4,555,403 | Total only | $6,888 |
| 2019 | $4,179,890 | $1,126,260 | $2,105,293 | $1,119,000 | Total only | $5,614 |
*2022: Covers 18 months (fiscal year-end changed).
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About WGU Advancement
Based on IRS filings
WGU Advancement is a public charity focused on Education, based in Salt Lake City, UT. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2022. In 2022, it awarded 6 grants totaling $6.2M. Net investment income was $64K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
WGU Advancement is led by Annalisa Holcombe, Director & President on every filing since 2020; 6 of 12 officers listed in 2022 are compensated.
Officers on the 2022 filing
Annalisa Holcombe
Director & President
On filings since 2020
41 hrs/week
$63K (2020) → $367K (2022)
Brandon Zollner
Executive Director of Development
New on the 2022 filing
40 hrs/week
$141K (2022)
Scott Pulsipher
Director & Chair
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William Curtis Ryan
Director of Operations
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$131K (2021) → $152K (2022)
Erica Adams
Regional Director
New on the 2022 filing
40 hrs/week
$124K (2022)
Teresa Williams
Director of Sponsored Programs
New on the 2022 filing
40 hrs/week
$144K (2022)
Carol D'amico
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Grow
Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Simmons
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Frankenberg
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gilbert Rojas
Special Projects
New on the 2022 filing
40 hrs/week
$128K (2022)
Sarah Hook
Secretary
Secretary & Legal Counsel → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Daniel Folta (2021) — Vice President
- Former: Elijah Howe (2021) — Director Corporate & Fdt Relations
- Former: Kabi Catalano (2021) — Regional Director
- Former: Robert Hunt (2019–2020) — Secretary · Filing note: Until 512020
- Former: Allison Barber (2019) — Director & President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2022. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2022 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2022 filing was $367K, to Annalisa Holcombe (Director / President). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about WGU Advancement
How much does WGU Advancement give each year?
WGU Advancement gave $6.2M across 6 grants in 2022, according to its 2022 IRS Form 990. The 2022 filing year covers 18 months because its fiscal year-end changed. In 2021 it gave $8.7M across 2 grants.
What is WGU Advancement's typical grant size?
WGU Advancement's median grant in 2022 was $516,425, and its average grant was $1,031,485, across 6 grants on its 2022 IRS Form 990.
Where does WGU Advancement give grants?
WGU Advancement gives mostly in Utah: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2022 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Salt Lake City, UT (5 grants).
Does WGU Advancement give general operating support?
Not in 2022: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on WGU Advancement's 2022 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are WGU Advancement's largest grantees?
WGU Advancement's largest 2022 grantees include Western Governors University ($3,548,008), WGU Corporation ($1,578,049) and WGU Labs ($814,750), according to its 2022 IRS Form 990. Together they received 96% of its itemized 2022 grant dollars.
What is WGU Advancement?
WGU Advancement is a public charity focused on Education, based in Salt Lake City, UT.
What is WGU Advancement's EIN?
WGU Advancement's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-4547364. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2022.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 21, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2022
Live grants for the work WGU Advancement funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in WGU Advancement's focus areas in our free grants database
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