The IJ and Jeanne Wagner Charitable Foundation concentrates its giving on a small number of Utah-based educational and cultural institutions, with especially large, repeat investments in the Utah Museum of Natural History to support youth-focused exhibits and learning. It also funds postsecondary access through need-based scholarships at a regional law school and supports internship and teen-explainer programs that connect young people to hands-on learning experiences. Grants are focused, programmatic, and aimed at expanding educational opportunity and informal STEM/natural history education for youth.
The Ij and Jeanne Wagner Charitable Foundation made a $20,000,000 grant in 2025 to the Utah Museum of Natural History for Youth Teaching Youth, Advanced Critical Thinking, and museum activities, a signal of how central youth-facing informal learning is to its work. The foundation also paired that with a $5,000,000 grant to Sjq College of Law for SJQ and EDR need-based scholarships, showing that postsecondary access is another major commitment. Across the recent grant list, the foundation supports a small set of Utah institutions with repeat awards, often for scholarships, exhibits, and program operations. Its giving reaches museums, law-school aid, student-intern support, teen science engagement, and related educational programming. The pattern is concentrated and programmatic rather than diffuse, with several recipients appearing in multiple years and multiple grants flowing to the same organizations for related purposes. Alongside education, the foundation also backs cultural and civic organizations, including film exhibition, veterans support, and capital or operations needs. The result is a profile of a funder that uses large, targeted grants to sustain a limited number of local institutions and the learning programs they run.
Youth education sits at the center of the foundation’s grantmaking. In 2024, it gave $145,000 to Nhmu Programs and Exhibits for Teen Explainers and Creative Science Learning, and another $120,000 for the NHMU ACT Program. The Utah Museum of Natural History also received $200,000 in 2024 and $100,000 in 2023 for Youth Teaching Youth, Advanced Critical Thinking, and museum activities. Scholarship support is another clear theme: Sjq College of Law received $130,000 in 2023 and $130,000 in 2024 for Student Scholarships, plus $30,000 in 2024 for SJQ and EDR need-based scholarships. The foundation also funded student-intern support through Hatch Foundation, giving $450,000 in 2024 and $350,000 in both 2023 and 2024 for Scholarships for student interns.
Typical grants are clustered around a $25,000 median, with a lower quartile of $25,000 and an upper quartile of $56,250, even though the foundation also makes much larger anchor awards. The recent record shows repeated support to the same recipients across multiple years, including Utah Museum of Natural History, Sjq College of Law, Hatch Foundation, Nhmu Programs and Exhibits, and Usdb Education Foundation. That repeat pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time gifts. The foundation does not fund individuals and makes no program-related investments. Its giving is local, with grants overwhelmingly directed to Utah recipients.
$25.1M
$2.9M
$11.8M
$25.1M
Most grants fall between $25K and $56K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$56K
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Highly concentrated giving: few very large grants (including multi-million-dollar, repeat gifts) to a small set of local institutions; mix of capital/program support and targeted scholarships; repeat grantees indicate long-term, relationship-driven investments rather than broad, one-off grants.
Notable grantees: Utah Museum of Natural History, S.J. Quinney College of Law, Hatch Foundation, NHMU Programs and Exhibits
The foundation gives locally, and 96% of its grants go to recipients in Utah. Salt Lake City accounts for the overwhelming majority of named recipients in the recent grant list, including Utah Museum of Natural History, Sjq College of Law, Hatch Foundation, Nhmu Programs and Exhibits, USDB Education Foundation, Utah Film Center, and the University of Utah Hinkley Institute of Politics. Outside its Utah base, the top state by grant count is Montana, but the listed recent grants are all to U.S. recipients. The country distribution shows 52 grants, all in the United States.
Its recent grants center on Utah educational and cultural institutions: the Utah Museum of Natural History, Sjq College of Law, Nhmu Programs and Exhibits, Hatch Foundation, and USDB Education Foundation. The purposes include youth exhibits, teen science learning, student scholarships, and student-intern support.
The typical grant size is $25,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $56,250 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also includes much larger awards, such as $20,000,000 to the Utah Museum of Natural History and $5,000,000 to Sjq College of Law.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Utah Museum of Natural History, Sjq College of Law, Hatch Foundation, Nhmu Programs and Exhibits, USDB Education Foundation, Carmel of the Immaculate Heart, and the University of Utah Hinkley Institute of Politics. The repeated awards often support the same program areas.
The main areas are youth-focused museum education, need-based scholarship support, student-intern funding, teen science learning, veterans support, and some cultural or operations funding. Examples include Youth Teaching Youth at the Utah Museum of Natural History, Student Scholarships at Sjq College of Law, and Film exhibition and Media Arts education at Utah Film Center.
The giving is highly concentrated in Utah: 96% of grants go to recipients in the headquarters state. Salt Lake City is the dominant recipient location in the recent grant list, and all listed grants are to U.S. organizations.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UTAH MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $20,000,000 | 2025 | Youth Teaching YouthAdvanced Critical ThinkingMuseum Activities |
| SJQ COLLEGE OF LAW | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $5,000,000 | 2025 | SJQ and EDR need-based scholarships. |
| USDB Education Foundation | Salt Lake City, UT | $35,000 | 2025 | Enhance student learning |
| Utah Film Center | Salt Lake City, UT | $35,000 | 2025 | Film exhibitionArtistic supportMedia Arts education |
| HATCH FOUNDATION | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $450,000 | 2024 | Scholarships for student interns |
| HATCH FOUNDATION | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $350,000 | 2024 | Scholarships for student interns |
| UTAH MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $200,000 | 2024 | Youth Teaching YouthAdvanced Critical ThinkingMuseum Activities |
| NHMU PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITS | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $145,000 | 2024 | Teen ExplainersCreative Science Learning |
| SJQ COLLEGE OF LAW | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $130,000 | 2024 | Student Scholarships |
| NHMU PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITS | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $120,000 | 2024 | NHMU ACT Program |
| UTAH MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $100,000 | 2024 | Youth Teaching YouthAdvanced Critical ThinkingMuseum Activities |
| NHMU PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITS | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $75,000 | 2024 | NHMU Orcas Exhibit |
| CARMEL OF THE IMMACULATE HEART | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $50,000 | 2024 | Operations FundingCapital improvementsCutting machine purchase |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH HINKLEY INSITUTE OF POLITICS | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $35,000 | 2024 | Todd Reese TaylorScholarship Fund |
| SJQ COLLEGE OF LAW | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $30,000 | 2024 | SJQ and EDR need-based scholarships. |
| USDB EDUCATION FOUNDATION | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $27,500 | 2024 | Enhance Student Learning |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH HINKLEY INSITUTE OF POLITICS | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2024 | BarlowScholarship Fund |
| WAGNER JCC SUMMER SCHOLARSHIPS | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2024 | Student Scholarships |
| SNOW COLLEGE FOUNDATION | EPHRAIM, UT | $25,000 | 2024 | Needs-based MinorityScholarship Fund |
| NHMU PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITS | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2024 | NHMU Basket Display Case |
| UU VETERANS SUPPORT CENTER | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2024 | Veterans SupportCenter Operations |
| THE MADELEINE CHOIR SCHOOL | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2024 | Needs-based Scholarships tobe awarded to minoritystudents as determined by the school. |
| USDB EDUCATION FOUNDATION | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2024 | Enhance Student Learning |
| NHMU PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITS | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2024 | Teen ExplainersCreative Science Learning |
| BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SANCTUARY | KANAB, UT | $25,000 | 2024 | Purchase of Land and mineral rights |
| SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2024 | Support Minoritystudent scholarships |
| THE MADELEINE CHOIR SCHOOL | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2024 | Needs-based Scholarships tobe awarded to minoritystudents as determined by the school. |
| SNOW COLLEGE FOUNDATION | EPHRAIM, UT | $25,000 | 2024 | Needs-based MinorityScholarship Fund |
| SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2024 | Support Minoritystudent scholarships |
| UU VETERANS SUPPORT CENTER | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2024 | Veterans SupportCenter Operations |
| WAGNER JCC SUMMER SCHOLARSHIPS | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2024 | Student Scholarships |
| FLATHEAD VALLEY CCF | KALISPEL, MT | $25,000 | 2024 | Enhance student learning |
| NHMU PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITS | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2024 | NHMU YTY Program |
| CARMEL OF THE IMMACULATE HEART | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $13,500 | 2024 | Operations FundingCapital improvementsCutting machine purchase |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH HINKLEY INSITUTE OF POLITICS | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $10,000 | 2024 | Taylor + FerryScholarship Fund |
| UTAH CLEAN ENERGY ALLIANCE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $5,000 | 2024 | Promote energy efficiencyand clean energy technologies |
| JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $2,500 | 2024 | Diabetes Research |
| HATCH FOUNDATION | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $350,000 | 2023 | Scholarships for student interns |
| NHMU PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITS | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $145,000 | 2023 | Teen ExplainersCreative Science Learning |
| SJQ COLLEGE OF LAW | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $130,000 | 2023 | Student Scholarships |
| UTAH MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $100,000 | 2023 | Youth Teaching YouthAdvanced Critical ThinkingMuseum Activities |
| CARMEL OF THE IMMACULATE HEART | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $50,000 | 2023 | Operations FundingCapital improvementsCutting machine purchase |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH HINKLEY INSITUTE OF POLITICS | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $35,000 | 2023 | Todd Reese TaylorScholarship Fund |
| USDB EDUCATION FOUNDATION | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $27,500 | 2023 | Enhance Student Learning |
| SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2023 | Support Minoritystudent scholarships |
| BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SANCTUARY | KANAB, UT | $25,000 | 2023 | Purchase of Land and mineral rights |
| WAGNER JCC SUMMER SCHOLARSHIPS | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2023 | Student Scholarships |
| THE MADELEINE CHOIR SCHOOL | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2023 | Needs-based Scholarships tobe awarded to minoritystudents as determined by the school. |
| FLATHEAD VALLEY CCF | KALISPEL, MT | $25,000 | 2023 | Enhance student learning |
| UU VETERANS SUPPORT CENTER | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2023 | Veterans SupportCenter Operations |
UTAH MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
$20,000,000Youth Teaching YouthAdvanced Critical ThinkingMuseum Activities
SJQ COLLEGE OF LAW
$5,000,000SJQ and EDR need-based scholarships.
USDB Education Foundation
$35,000Enhance student learning
HATCH FOUNDATION
$450,000Scholarships for student interns
HATCH FOUNDATION
Scholarships for student interns
UTAH MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
$200,000Youth Teaching YouthAdvanced Critical ThinkingMuseum Activities
NHMU PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITS
$145,000Teen ExplainersCreative Science Learning
SJQ COLLEGE OF LAW
$130,000Student Scholarships
NHMU PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITS
$120,000NHMU ACT Program
UTAH MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
$100,000Youth Teaching YouthAdvanced Critical ThinkingMuseum Activities
NHMU PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITS
$75,000NHMU Orcas Exhibit
CARMEL OF THE IMMACULATE HEART
$50,000Operations FundingCapital improvementsCutting machine purchase
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH HINKLEY INSITUTE OF POLITICS
$35,000Todd Reese TaylorScholarship Fund
SJQ COLLEGE OF LAW
$30,000SJQ and EDR need-based scholarships.
USDB EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$27,500Enhance Student Learning
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH HINKLEY INSITUTE OF POLITICS
$25,000BarlowScholarship Fund
WAGNER JCC SUMMER SCHOLARSHIPS
$25,000Student Scholarships
SNOW COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$25,000Needs-based MinorityScholarship Fund
NHMU PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITS
$25,000NHMU Basket Display Case
UU VETERANS SUPPORT CENTER
$25,000Veterans SupportCenter Operations
THE MADELEINE CHOIR SCHOOL
$25,000Needs-based Scholarships tobe awarded to minoritystudents as determined by the school.
USDB EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$25,000Enhance Student Learning
NHMU PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITS
$25,000Teen ExplainersCreative Science Learning
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$25,000Support Minoritystudent scholarships
THE MADELEINE CHOIR SCHOOL
$25,000Needs-based Scholarships tobe awarded to minoritystudents as determined by the school.
SNOW COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$25,000Needs-based MinorityScholarship Fund
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$25,000Support Minoritystudent scholarships
UU VETERANS SUPPORT CENTER
$25,000Veterans SupportCenter Operations
WAGNER JCC SUMMER SCHOLARSHIPS
$25,000Student Scholarships
FLATHEAD VALLEY CCF
$25,000Enhance student learning
NHMU PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITS
$25,000NHMU YTY Program
CARMEL OF THE IMMACULATE HEART
$13,500Operations FundingCapital improvementsCutting machine purchase
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH HINKLEY INSITUTE OF POLITICS
$10,000Taylor + FerryScholarship Fund
Promote energy efficiencyand clean energy technologies
JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION
$2,500Diabetes Research
HATCH FOUNDATION
$350,000Scholarships for student interns
NHMU PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITS
$145,000Teen ExplainersCreative Science Learning
SJQ COLLEGE OF LAW
$130,000Student Scholarships
UTAH MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
$100,000Youth Teaching YouthAdvanced Critical ThinkingMuseum Activities
CARMEL OF THE IMMACULATE HEART
$50,000Operations FundingCapital improvementsCutting machine purchase
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH HINKLEY INSITUTE OF POLITICS
$35,000Todd Reese TaylorScholarship Fund
USDB EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$27,500Enhance Student Learning
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$25,000Support Minoritystudent scholarships
WAGNER JCC SUMMER SCHOLARSHIPS
$25,000Student Scholarships
THE MADELEINE CHOIR SCHOOL
$25,000Needs-based Scholarships tobe awarded to minoritystudents as determined by the school.
FLATHEAD VALLEY CCF
$25,000Enhance student learning
UU VETERANS SUPPORT CENTER
$25,000Veterans SupportCenter Operations