The WLS Spencer Foundation
Accepts applications
The WLS Spencer Foundation is a private foundation in New York, New York. In tax year 2025 it gave $1.6 million in 21 grants; the typical grant was $50,000 and the largest $250,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$1.6 million
- Number of grants21
- Typical grant$50,000
- Largest grant$250,000
- Assets$12.7 million
- New grantees50%
Giving in 2025 was up from $1.3 million the year before.
50% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.6 million | 29 | $12.2 million |
| 2024 | $1.3 million | 22 | $12.4 million |
| 2025 | $1.6 million | 21 | $12.7 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Pacific Foundation Services 1660 Bush Street Suite 300, San Francisco, CA 94109 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (415) 561-6540 |
| What to submit | An application should be submitted in writing |
| Deadlines | No submission deadlines |
| Restrictions | No restrictions or limitations on awards |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The WLS Spencer Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 5 states, the most to Oregon.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 11 | $555,706 |
| New York | 4 | $370,000 |
| Massachusetts | 2 | $350,000 |
| California | 3 | $320,000 |
| Washington | 1 | $31,186 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art | Digital strategy implementation | $250,000 |
| The Surfrider Foundation | To support the plastic pollution initiative | $250,000 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Ms gift pm north county hii | $175,000 |
| University of Oregon Foundation | To support the contemporary chinese photography collection | $170,526 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Ms gift pm north county hii | $125,000 |
| Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art | Development of a new department of public programs | $100,000 |
| KLCC Public Radio Foundation | Journalism fellowship and arts reporting | $75,000 |
| Charitable Partnership Fund | Undergrowth educational print fund apprenticeship and artist in residence programs | $60,000 |
| Lane County School District 4J | To support avid elementary school and summer institute programs | $50,180 |
| Lane Arts Council | Arts education and cultural programming in lane county | $50,000 |
| Museum Associates | To support the "zheng chongbin: golden state" exhibition and associated programming | $50,000 |
| Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation | To support the "do ho suh" exhibition and associated programming | $50,000 |
| The John G Shedd Institute for the Arts | Capital campaign | $50,000 |
| Smart Reading | Smart reading programs in lane county | $40,000 |
| Seattle Art Museum | To support the "ai, rebel: the art and activism of ai weiwei" exhibition and associated programming | $31,186 |
| Cascade Pacific Resource Conservation & Development | Many bridges exhibition and associated programming | $20,000 |
| Eugene Southtowne Rotary Foundation | To support first-generation college scholarships for avid graduates | $20,000 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Ms gift pm north county hii | $20,000 |
| The Breakthrough Collaborative Inc | To support the national teaching fellow initiative | $20,000 |
| Food for Lane County | General support | $10,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Oregon | For general support | $10,000 |
Officers and trustees
- John S Wadsworth Jr
- Bette Sue Wadsworth
- John S Wadsworth III
- Elizabeth Jane Wadsworth
- Paul William Peppis
- Shannon Wadsworth
- Christopher Wadsworth
Questions people ask
Does The WLS Spencer Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: No submission deadlines.
How much does The WLS Spencer Foundation give?
$1.6 million in tax year 2025, across 21 grants, with a typical grant of $50,000.
Who runs The WLS Spencer Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists John S Wadsworth Jr (Cio Emeritus), Bette Sue Wadsworth (Ceo Emeritus), John S Wadsworth III (Treasurer) and Elizabeth Jane Wadsworth (Ceo) among 7 officers and trustees.
What does The WLS Spencer Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, education and international.