The Winpisinger Center is accepting applications for the 2026 Chris Wagoner Memorial Leadership Grant, with a submission deadline of November 30. The grant is intended to help local chapters that want to send current and emerging leaders to leadership training but do not have sufficient financial resources.
According to Official Circular 908, which established the grant, one local from each International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Territory will receive funding annually. In 2025, eligible territories include the Eastern, Midwestern, Western, Southern, Canadian, Air Transport Territories, as well as Headquarters and vicinity, including the Rail Division. The grant reimburses all costs for sending a member to a leadership program at the Winpisinger Center.
Locals selected for the grant can renew it in subsequent years. Members chosen by their locals may attend up to four annual leadership programs if they successfully complete each prior session and if their local submits an accountability statement confirming participation and contribution to local activities.
Seven locals across North America received the inaugural Chris Wagoner Memorial Leadership Grant in 2025: Local 550 (Surrey, British Columbia), Local 4538 (Towson, Maryland), Local 1894 (South Ozone Park, New York), Local 2916 (Corpus Christi, Texas), Local 104 (Huntington, West Virginia), Local 1613 (Vandalia, West Virginia), and Local W38 (Shelton, Washington).
The grant was created by delegates at the 2024 IAM International Convention in memory of Chris Wagoner. Wagoner served as Director of the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center until his death in 2022 after three decades as an IAM member. According to the release: “Brother Wagoner, a 30-year member of the IAM, believed that expanding opportunities for Leadership training was critical to our future growth and strength as a union.”
