Newell B Sargent Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $616,287 (2023)
• Assets: $14.8M (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Grant Range: Information not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: Washakie County and Wyoming

Contact Details

Contact Person: Charles W Smith, President
Address: PO Box 1858, Worland, WY 82401
Phone: (307) 577-0724
EIN: 83-0271536

Overview

The Newell B Sargent Foundation was established by Newell Brush "Buzz" Sargent (1905-2001), a successful Wyoming businessman who founded the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company in Worland in 1947. The foundation has been tax-exempt since May 1986 and operates as a private grantmaking foundation. With approximately $14.8 million in assets and annual giving of around $616,000, the foundation focuses its support primarily on Washakie County and Wyoming organisations. The foundation has established a significant endowment at the Wyoming Community Foundation to support the Washakie Museum & Cultural Center, demonstrating its commitment to local cultural institutions.

Funding Priorities

Geographic Focus

The foundation gives primarily to organisations in Washakie County and the State of Wyoming, with particular emphasis on the Worland area.

Priority Areas

Based on available information, the foundation has demonstrated commitment to:

• Cultural institutions and museums
• Local community development
• Organisations serving Washakie County

Recent Grant Activity

• 2024: 1 award
• 2023: 2 awards totaling $616,287
• 2022: 2 awards, totaling $660,000

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications from organisations outside their established relationships.

Governance and Leadership

Officers and Trustees:

• Charles W Smith - President and Director (St. Louis, Missouri)
• Kent A Richins - Vice President and Director (Worland, WY)
• Rosie R Richins - Secretary and Director (Worland, WY)
• Kurt Hansen - Treasurer and Director (Bellevue, Washington)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Newell B Sargent Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

The foundation operates with trustee discretion, identifying and selecting beneficiary organisations through established relationships and board member knowledge of the community. While initial contact may be submitted by letter to the address listed above, the foundation explicitly states it does not accept unsolicited funding requests.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded at trustee discretion to preselected organisations rather than through an application review process.

Success Rates

Not applicable for unsolicited applications, as the foundation does not accept them.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not operate through an application system.

Application Success Factors

Given that the Newell B Sargent Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. The foundation awards grants based on:

• Trustee discretion and selection: The board identifies organisations aligned with the foundation's mission
• Established relationships: Organisations with existing connections to the foundation or its trustees
• Geographic alignment: Strong preference for Washakie County and Wyoming-based organisations
• Community impact: Organisations serving the Worland area and broader Wyoming community
• Long-term commitments: The foundation's endowment model (as evidenced by the Washakie Museum support) suggests preference for sustained, impactful relationships

Organisations seeking funding from this foundation would need to be identified and invited by the trustees rather than submitting applications.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only funding: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications - grants are made to preselected organisations
• Geographic focus: Strong emphasis on Washakie County and Wyoming, particularly the Worland area
• Endowment approach: The foundation has demonstrated willingness to make substantial long-term commitments through endowments
• Limited grant activity: Makes only 1-2 grants per year, suggesting highly selective grantmaking
• Business legacy: Founded by a successful local businessman with deep roots in the Worland community
• Not suitable for cold outreach: Organisations without existing connections to the foundation or its trustees are unlikely to receive funding
• Local governance: Board includes Wyoming residents with local knowledge and community ties

References

• Instrumentl. "Newell B Sargent Foundation | Worland, WY | 990 Report." https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/newell-b-sargent-foundation (Accessed December 16, 2025)
• Cause IQ. "Newell B Sargent Foundation | Casper, WY." https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/newell-b-sargent-foundation,830271536/ (Accessed December 16, 2025)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Newell B Sargent Foundation - Nonprofit Explorer." https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/830271536 (Accessed December 16, 2025)
• Grantmakers.io. "Newell B Sargent Foundation Profile." https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/830271536-newell-b-sargent-foundation/ (Accessed December 16, 2025)
• Candid (Foundation Directory). "Newell B Sargent Foundation C/o Charles W Smith." https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=SARG008 (Accessed December 16, 2025)
• Washakie Museum & Cultural Center. "Our History." https://www.washakiemuseum.org/our-history.html (Accessed December 16, 2025)
• Wyoming Tribune Eagle. "Worland bottling company is Business Hall of Fame winner." https://trib.com/business/worland-bottling-company-is-business-hall-of-fame-winner/article_412db72c-0e7e-5acd-9e81-3000690989a4.html (Accessed December 16, 2025)