The Winpisinger Center is now accepting applications for the 2026 Chris Wagoner Memorial Leadership Grant, with a submission deadline of November 30. The grant aims to help local chapters that need financial support to send their current and future leaders to leadership training programs.
According to Official Circular 908, which established the grant, one local from each International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Territory receives funding annually. In 2025, this includes locals from the Eastern, Midwestern, Western, Southern, Canadian, and Air Transport Territories, as well as Headquarters and vicinity areas such as the Rail Division. The grant covers all costs for a member to attend a leadership program at the Winpisinger Center.
The grant can be renewed for selected locals. Members chosen by their local may attend up to four leadership programs—one per year—if they successfully complete each previous program and if their local submits a statement confirming their participation in union activities.
Seven locals across North America were awarded 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 Chris Wagoner Memorial Leadership 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 more than three decades with IAM. “Brother Wagoner…believed that expanding opportunities for Leadership training was critical to our future growth and strength as a union.”
