The Winpisinger Center has announced that applications are open for the 2026 Chris Wagoner Memorial Leadership Grant, with a deadline of November 30. The grant is designed to help local chapters send current and emerging leaders to leadership training programs at the center when they lack financial resources.
Official Circular 908, which established the grant, provides funding annually to one local from each International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Territory. As of 2025, eligible territories include Eastern, Midwestern, Western, Southern, Canadian, Air Transport Territories, as well as Headquarters and vicinity, including the Rail Division. The grant covers all costs associated with 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 leadership programs—one per year—if they successfully complete each previous program and if the local submits an accountability statement confirming the member’s participation and contribution to local activities.
In 2025, seven locals across North America were awarded the inaugural Chris Wagoner Memorial Leadership Grant: 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 honor of Chris Wagoner. Wagoner served as Director of the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center until his death in 2022. He was a member of IAM for thirty years and supported expanding opportunities for leadership training within the union.
“Brother Wagoner…believed that expanding opportunities for Leadership training was critical to our future growth and strength as a union.”
