The Winpisinger Center is accepting applications for the 2026 Chris Wagoner Memorial Leadership Grant, with a deadline of November 30. The grant aims to support local unions that want to send current and emerging leaders to Leadership training but lack the 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. As of 2025, this includes the Eastern, Midwestern, Western, Southern, Canadian and Air Transport Territories, as well as Headquarters and vicinity, including the Rail Division. The grant covers all costs incurred by sending a member to a Leadership program at the Winpisinger Center.
The grant is renewable for each selected local. Members chosen by their locals may attend all four Leadership programs—one per year—if they complete each previous program satisfactorily and if their local submits an accountability statement confirming their participation in and contribution to local activities.
Seven locals across North America were selected for the inaugural Chris Wagoner Memorial Leadership Grant in 2025:
Canada: Local 550 (Surrey, British Columbia)
Eastern: Local 4538 (Towson, Maryland)
Air Transport: Local 1894 (South Ozone Park, New York)
Southern: Local 2916 (Corpus Christi, Texas)
Headquarters/Rail Division: Local 104 (Huntington, West Virginia)
Midwest: Local 1613 (Vandalia, West Virginia)
Western: 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 before his passing in 2022. He was a member of IAM for three decades.
“Brother Wagoner… believed that expanding opportunities for Leadership training was critical to our future growth and strength as a union.”
