The Mary Garner Esary Trust concentrates its giving locally in the Walla Walla / Blue Mountain region, prioritizing long-term community infrastructure and K–12 education. The trust provides large, repeat gifts to the regional community foundation (including an endowment), and also supports local schools (both public and Catholic) for capital projects and student scholarships, plus the public library. Its grants signal a focus on sustaining local philanthropic capacity and direct community services rather than wide geographic or national causes.
A $3.3 million endowment grant to Blue Mountain Community Foundation stands out as the Mary Garner Esary Trust’s defining recent gift. The trust uses large, repeated awards to strengthen local civic infrastructure in the Walla Walla area, especially through regional philanthropy, schools, and community services. Its giving pattern includes support for a valley giving guide, school capital projects, scholarships, library services, literacy, parks and recreation, and local cultural organizations. The trust’s largest recent grants also show continuity rather than one-time experiments. Blue Mountain Community Foundation appears more than once, including endowment support in 2025 and a separate Valley Giving Guide grant in prior years. Walla Walla Catholic Schools received both capital campaign support and program-related aid for a K–6 Spanish program and general operations. Walla Walla Public Schools has been a recurring recipient for scholarships, library-related work, and foundation support. Other local grantees include Walla Walla Public Library, Walla Walla Community College, Page Ahead, Fort Walla Walla Museum, City of Walla Walla, and several faith-based and community organizations.
The trust gives across a tightly linked set of local community priorities. In regional philanthropic infrastructure, it awarded $81,850 in 2023 and $75,250 in 2024 to Blue Mountain Community Foundation for the Valley Giving Guide, and later made a $3,303,881 endowment grant in 2025. For K–12 education, it supported Walla Walla Catholic Schools with $35,000 for a capital campaign and $5,000 for a K–6 Spanish program. Education access also appears through scholarships and school support. Walla Walla Public School received $17,500 for scholarships in 2025, along with additional scholarship and foundation grants in earlier years. In library and literacy work, the trust gave $17,500 to Walla Walla Public Library for library services and supported Page Ahead with multiple children’s literacy grants. Parks and recreation also appears in the record through gifts to the City of Walla Walla for parks and recreation scholarships.
Typical grants are small to mid-sized, with a p25 of $2,000, median of $3,500, and p75 of $5,000. The pattern is highly recurring: multiple grantees appear in more than one year, including Blue Mountain Community Foundation, Walla Walla Public School, Walla Walla Catholic Schools, Page Ahead, City of Walla Walla, Campfire, Trilogy Recovery Community, and St Basil Academy. The trust is a private foundation and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Its recent awards show both one very large endowment gift and a long tail of modest operating, scholarship, program, and capital grants.
$3.4M
$0
$33K
$3.4M
Most grants fall between $2K and $5K, with a median of $4K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$4K
75th Percentile
$5K
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Highly concentrated, small-number giving: a few large grants (including a major endowment gift) and multiple repeat awards to the same regional community foundation and a small set of local institutions.
Notable grantees: Blue Mountain Community Foundation, Walla Walla Public School, Walla Walla Catholic Schools, Walla Walla Public Library
Giving is entirely in Washington, with 100% of grants going to recipients in the state. The grant list is heavily concentrated in Walla Walla, including Walla Walla Catholic Schools, Walla Walla Public Library, Walla Walla Public School, Walla Walla Community College, Fort Walla Walla Museum, and the City of Walla Walla. Seattle appears as a secondary recipient city through Page Ahead. The trust’s local footprint matches its Walla Walla / Blue Mountain focus.
The trust supports local community infrastructure, K–12 education, library services, literacy, parks and recreation, and some cultural and community organizations. Recent grants include endowment support, scholarship funding, capital campaign support, and general operations awards.
Typical awards are modest relative to its largest gifts: the p25 is $2,000, the median grant is $3,500, and the p75 is $5,000. The recent record also includes a much larger endowment gift of $3,303,881.
No. The grant record shows 55 grants to US recipients, and 100% of grants went to recipients in Washington.
Yes. Several grantees appear in multiple years, including Blue Mountain Community Foundation, Walla Walla Public School, Walla Walla Catholic Schools, Page Ahead, City of Walla Walla, Campfire, Trilogy Recovery Community, and St Basil Academy.
Education giving includes scholarships, school capital projects, school foundation support, library-related school work, and K–6 program support. Examples in the record include Walla Walla Catholic Schools, Walla Walla Public School, Walla Walla Community College, and St Basil Academy.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLUE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | WALLA WALLA, WA | $3,303,881 | 2025 | ENDOWMENT |
| BLUE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | WALLA WALLA, WA | $19,043 | 2025 | ENDOWMENT |
| WALLA WALLA PUBLIC SCHOOL | WALLA WALLA, WA | $17,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| WALLA WALLA CATHOLIC SCHOOLS | WALLA WALLA, WA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FORT WALLA WALLA MUSEUM | WALLA WALLA, WA | $4,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| PAGE AHEAD | SEATTLE, WA | $4,500 | 2025 | CHILDREN'S LITERACY |
| CITY OF WALLA WALLA | WALLA WALLA, WA | $4,000 | 2025 | PARKS & RECREATION |
| ST FRANCIS CABRINI | WALLA WALLA, WA | $3,665 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CAMPFIRE | WALLA WALLA, WA | $3,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| TRILOGY RECOVERY COMMUNITY | WALLA WALLA, WA | $3,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| COMMUNITY COUNCIL | WALLA WALLA, WA | $3,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ST BASIL ACADEMY | WALLA WALLA, WA | $3,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| EARLY LIFE SPEECH & LANGUAGE | WALLA WALLA, WA | $3,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FRIENDS OF CHILDREN OF WALLA WALLA | WALLA WALLA, WA | $3,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BLUE MOUNTAIN ACTION COUNCIL | WALLA WALLA, WA | $3,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| WALLA WALLA PUBLIC SCHOOL | WALLA WALLA, WA | $3,000 | 2025 | ONCE SCHOOL ONE BOOK |
| LITTLE THEATRE OF WALLA WALLA | WALLA WALLA, WA | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | SEATTLE, WA | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| POWER HOUSE THEATRE | WALLA WALLA, WA | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT | KENNEWICK, WA | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF EASTERN WA AND NORTH | SPOKANE, WA | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| WALLA WALLA CATHOLIC SCHOOLS | WALLA WALLA, WA | $500 | 2025 | HOPE |
| BLUE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY FOUDATION | WALLA WALLA, WA | $75,250 | 2024 | VALLEY GIVING GUIDE |
| WALLA WALLA PUBLIC LIBRARY | WALLA WALLA, WA | $17,500 | 2024 | LIBRARY |
| WALLA WALLA COMMUNITY COLLEGE | WALLA WALLA, WA | $10,000 | 2024 | FOUNDATION |
| WALLA WALLA PUBLIC SCHOOL | WALLA WALLA, WA | $7,500 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| WALLA WALLA PUBLIC SCHOOL | WALLA WALLA, WA | $5,000 | 2024 | FOUNDATION |
| PAGE AHEAD | SEATTLE, WA | $4,325 | 2024 | CHILDREN'S LITERACY |
| CITY OF WALLA WALLA | WALLA WALLA, WA | $4,000 | 2024 | PARKS & REC - SCHOLARSHIPS |
| CAMPFIRE | WALLA WALLA, WA | $3,500 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| TRILOGY RECOVERY COMMUNITY | WALLA WALLA, WA | $3,500 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ST BASIL ACADEMY | WALLA WALLA, WA | $3,500 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| PROSPECT POINT ELEMENTARY | WALLA WALLA, WA | $3,000 | 2024 | ONE SCHOOL ONE BOOK |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF GREATER WA | WALLA WALLA, WA | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | SEATTLE, WA | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BLUE MOUNTAIN HUMANE SOCIETY | WALLA WALLA, WA | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| WALLA WALLA CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL | WALLA WALLA, WA | $2,000 | 2024 | MUSIC ARTS AND EDUCATION |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF E WA AND N IDAHO | SPOKANE, WA | $2,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ACCESSIBLE WALLA WALLA | WALLA WALLA, WA | $1,500 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| WALLA WALLA CATHOLIC SCHOOLS | WALLA WALLA, WA | $500 | 2024 | HOPE |
| BLUE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY FOUDATION | WALLA WALLA, WA | $81,850 | 2023 | VALLEY GIVING GUIDE |
| WALLA WALLA CATHOLIC SCHOOLS | WALLA WALLA, WA | $35,000 | 2023 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| WALLA WALLA PUBLIC SCHOOL | WALLA WALLA, WA | $17,500 | 2023 | LIBRARIES |
| WALLA WALLA PUBLIC SCHOOL | WALLA WALLA, WA | $7,500 | 2023 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| WALLA WALLA CATHOLIC SCHOOLS | WALLA WALLA, WA | $5,000 | 2023 | K-6 SPANISH PROGRAM |
| PAGE AHEAD | SEATTLE, WA | $4,500 | 2023 | CHILDREN'S LITERACY |
| CITY OF WALLA WALLA | WALLA WALLA, WA | $4,000 | 2023 | PARKS & REC - SCHOLARSHIPS |
| TRILOGY RECOVERY COMMUNITY | WALLA WALLA, WA | $3,500 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| WALLA WALLA PUBLIC SCHOOL | WALLA WALLA, WA | $2,500 | 2023 | JJC LIBRARY |
| ST BASIL ACADEMY | WALLA WALLA, WA | $2,500 | 2023 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
WALLA WALLA PUBLIC SCHOOL
$17,500SCHOLARSHIPS
WALLA WALLA CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
FORT WALLA WALLA MUSEUM
$4,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
CHILDREN'S LITERACY
CITY OF WALLA WALLA
$4,000PARKS & RECREATION
ST FRANCIS CABRINI
$3,665GENERAL OPERATIONS
CAMPFIRE
$3,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
TRILOGY RECOVERY COMMUNITY
$3,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
COMMUNITY COUNCIL
$3,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
ST BASIL ACADEMY
$3,500SCHOLARSHIPS
EARLY LIFE SPEECH & LANGUAGE
$3,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
FRIENDS OF CHILDREN OF WALLA WALLA
$3,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
WALLA WALLA PUBLIC SCHOOL
$3,000ONCE SCHOOL ONE BOOK
LITTLE THEATRE OF WALLA WALLA
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
POWER HOUSE THEATRE
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
WALLA WALLA CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
$500HOPE
WALLA WALLA PUBLIC LIBRARY
$17,500LIBRARY
WALLA WALLA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$10,000FOUNDATION
WALLA WALLA PUBLIC SCHOOL
$7,500SCHOLARSHIPS
WALLA WALLA PUBLIC SCHOOL
$5,000FOUNDATION
CITY OF WALLA WALLA
$4,000PARKS & REC - SCHOLARSHIPS
CAMPFIRE
$3,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
TRILOGY RECOVERY COMMUNITY
$3,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
ST BASIL ACADEMY
$3,500SCHOLARSHIPS
PROSPECT POINT ELEMENTARY
$3,000ONE SCHOOL ONE BOOK
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF GREATER WA
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
BLUE MOUNTAIN HUMANE SOCIETY
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
WALLA WALLA CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
$2,000MUSIC ARTS AND EDUCATION
GIRL SCOUTS OF E WA AND N IDAHO
$2,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
ACCESSIBLE WALLA WALLA
$1,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
WALLA WALLA CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
$500HOPE
WALLA WALLA CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
$35,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
WALLA WALLA PUBLIC SCHOOL
$17,500LIBRARIES
WALLA WALLA PUBLIC SCHOOL
$7,500SCHOLARSHIPS
WALLA WALLA CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
$5,000K-6 SPANISH PROGRAM
CITY OF WALLA WALLA
$4,000PARKS & REC - SCHOLARSHIPS
TRILOGY RECOVERY COMMUNITY
$3,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
WALLA WALLA PUBLIC SCHOOL
$2,500JJC LIBRARY
ST BASIL ACADEMY
$2,500SCHOLARSHIPS