The Winpisinger Center is now accepting applications for the 2026 Chris Wagoner Memorial Leadership Grant, with a deadline set for November 30. The grant aims to help locals within the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) send current and emerging leaders to leadership training programs when local resources are insufficient.
According to Official Circular 908, which established the grant, funding is available each year for one local from every IAM Territory. For 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 expenses related to sending a member to 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 annual leadership programs if they successfully complete each previous program and if their local submits an accountability statement confirming their participation in union activities.
In 2025, seven locals across North America received the inaugural Chris Wagoner Memorial Leadership Grant: Local 550 in Surrey, British Columbia; Local 4538 in Towson, Maryland; Local 1894 in South Ozone Park, New York; Local 2916 in Corpus Christi, Texas; Local 104 in Huntington, West Virginia; Local 1613 in Vandalia, West Virginia; and Local W38 in Shelton, Washington.
The grant was created by delegates at the 2024 IAM International Convention to honor Chris Wagoner’s legacy. Wagoner served as Director of the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center until his death in 2022 after three decades with IAM. “Brother Wagoner… believed that expanding opportunities for Leadership training was critical to our future growth and strength as a union,” according to the release.
