Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc
Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc is a public charity based in Santa Monica, California. The organization describes itself as a privately funded research charity focused exclusively on promoting basic and clinical research related to spinal cord injury, with the aim of improving outcomes.
Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc gave $2.7M across 17 grants in 2025 (avg $156K), top state New Jersey. 23% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,652,010
- -10.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 17
- +41.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $156,001
- -36.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $117,000
- Total assets
- $19,456,884
- +21.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (3 of 13, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New Jersey (19% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc
- Invitation Only
-
The website invites eligible applicants to submit an Executive Summary. Full applications for Individual and Project Research Grants are by invitation only.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists November 2 as the deadline for invited full applications; it does not specify a year.
- Deadline
- The website lists November 2 as the deadline for invited full applications; it does not specify a year.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1630 Stewart Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404
Phone: (310) 460-5399
Website: https://wingsforlife.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was SCI Ventures LLC ($500K). Together the top 10 received $2.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
66 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 38 grants of 66 (58%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grants went to recipients in multiple states. The largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were New Jersey and California, at 19% each; Ohio and Massachusetts, at 18% each; and Pennsylvania, at 12%. These are the reported locations of recipients, not a stated geographic restriction.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 13 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $140K; repeat grants $223K. How we count
Medians: $184K first-time, $227K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $459K (2020) to $5.0M (2023). In 2025 it made 17 grants totaling $2.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SCI Ventures LLC Short Hills, NJ | Research grant | $500,000 |
| Boston Children's Hospital Boston, MA | Research grant | $281,200 |
| University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA | Research grant | $280,000 |
| Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH | Research grant | $276,000 |
| University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA | Research grant | $194,400 |
| Shirley Ryan Ability Lab Chicago, IL | Research grant | $186,400 |
| Ohio State University Columbus, OH | Research grant | $130,000 |
| University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester, MA | Research grant | $117,000 |
| University of California San Diego La Jolla, CA | Research grant | $117,000 |
| Cedars Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles, CA | Research grant | $113,100 |
Ready to take the next step with Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2025 filing states that a $622,104 grant was rescinded by mutual agreement after a contractual program milestone was not achieved. Because the grant expense had been recognized in 2023, the reversal reduced 2025 program service expenses by $622,104.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $19,456,884 | $7,156,526 | $2,184,156 | $2,652,010 | 17 | $613,393 |
| 2024 | $16,069,502 | $6,562,287 | $3,089,695 | $2,946,700 | 12 | $594,721 |
| 2023 | $11,992,683 | $5,779,508 | $5,128,442 | $5,024,104 | 16 | $434,918 |
| 2022 | $9,863,281 | $5,591,020 | $1,141,298 | $1,044,000 | 7 | $83,343 |
| 2021 | $6,609,538 | $4,978,629 | $4,790,788 | $4,694,968 | 14 | $493 |
| 2020 | $4,876,578 | $2,828,596 | $519,867 | $459,000 | 4 | $7,639 |
| 2019 | $3,485,262 | $3,914,787 | $3,764,376 | $3,693,676 | 11 | $28,207 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is “to find a biological cure for spinal cord injuries SCI.” Its website says it funds basic research on traumatic spinal cord injury, including nerve regeneration and plasticity, neuronal and glial protection, and lesion-related functional deficits. It also considers clinical research on spinal cord injury management and other areas related to neurological and functional recovery. The website expresses a preference for projects with a path from laboratory research to clinical application, potential benefits for patients, and—where applicable—a focus on chronic spinal cord injury.
Research on medical complications such as bladder or bowel function, cardiovascular function, pressure ulcers, neuropathic pain, and spasticity is a secondary focus; the website says proposals in these areas must offer a novel, original approach and an innovative treatment perspective or improve the ability to conduct clinical trials. Exoskeleton and brain-spinal interface projects may be considered when focused on rehabilitation or plasticity, but the organization does not fund projects intended only to advance technology.
Its 2025 recipients included universities, hospitals, a rehabilitation organization, and an LLC. The University of Pittsburgh describes itself as a public research university and a leader in education and research. Case Western Reserve University describes itself as an independent, research-oriented university with strengths including health and engineering. Carnegie Mellon University describes its mission as providing a transformative educational experience and building a collaborative university community.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 17 grants totaling $2,652,010. Grants ranged from $40,800 to $500,000, with a median of $117,000. The largest awards included $500,000 to SCI Ventures LLC, $281,200 to Boston Children’s Hospital, $280,000 to the University of Pittsburgh, $276,000 to Case Western Reserve University, and $194,400 to the University of California San Francisco. Other listed awards included $186,400 to Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, $130,000 to Ohio State University, and $117,000 each to the University of Massachusetts Medical School and the University of California San Diego.
The organization’s filing says grant funds must be used under the research proposal and signed agreement. Principal investigators and host institutions must provide interim progress and financial reports; a final report is due within 90 days after project completion. A progress report is required for possible project extension and agreement renewal.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Anita Gerhardter as Chair/President; Selvaraj Narayana as Secretary; Brian Ring as Treasurer; Sam Maddox, Aaron Baker, Carey Causey, and Chris Hunt as board members; and Andrew Wagner as CEO.
Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc is led by Andrew Wagner, CEO on every filing since 2019; none of the 8 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Andrew Wagner
CEO
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anita Gerhardter
Chair & President
Chairperson & President → Chairman & President, 2020
Chairman & President → Chair & President, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aaron Baker
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Ring
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sam Maddox
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Hunt
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carey Causey
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Selvaraj Narayana
Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: John Hinz (2020–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Seth Marthinsson (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Alexandru Popa (2019) — Board Member
- Former: John A. Heydt MD (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Stefan Kozak (2019) — Vice President & Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc
How much does Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc give each year?
Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc gave $2.7M across 17 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $2.9M across 12 grants.
What is Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $117,000, and its average grant was $156,001, across 17 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc that year got $140K on average.
Where does Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc give grants?
Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc's top state is New Jersey, with 19% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (19%) and Ohio (18%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (2 grants), Pittsburgh, PA (2 grants), Chicago, IL (2 grants) and Columbus, OH (2 grants).
Does Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 17 grants with a stated purpose on Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Research grant" (17 grants).
Who are Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include SCI Ventures LLC ($500,000), Boston Children's Hospital ($347,600 across 2 grants) and University of Pittsburgh ($280,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 43% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc?
Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc reported $19.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $7.2M.
What does Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is “to find a biological cure for spinal cord injuries SCI.” Its website says it funds basic research on traumatic spinal cord injury, including nerve regeneration and plasticity, neuronal and glial protection, and lesion-related functional deficits. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc?
The website invites eligible applicants to submit an Executive Summary. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc's EIN?
Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-4795399. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 20, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 19, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 22, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 28, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/wings-for-life-usa-spinal-cord-research-foundation-inc-morg_29c71e03b1e64b918983a89d2fc76f49
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_814795399_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/wings-for-life-usa-spinal-cord-research-foundation-inc-morg_29c71e03b1e64b918983a89d2fc76f49},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc'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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