Blue Water Foundation
Blue Water Foundation is a private foundation, based in Minnetonka, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $7.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $300K. Net investment income was $294K.
Blue Water Foundation at a glance
In short: Blue Water Foundation gave $300K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $300K), mostly in Nevada. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $300,000
- +20.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- -83.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $300,000
- +620.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $300,000
- Total assets
- $7,104,316
- +7.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Nevada (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Blue Water Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was DAF 1 LLC ($300K).
Grant Size Distribution
12 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 10 grants of 12 (83%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
Cities
How Blue Water Foundation gives
- In 2024 it paid out 90% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $57K (2022) to $300K (2024). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $300K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DAF 1 LLC Las Vegas, NV | General Support | $300,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7,104,316 | $321,990 | $332,748 | $300,000 | 1 | $300,788 | $294,267 | $332,679 |
| 2023 | $6,599,462 | $596,180 | $290,180 | $250,000 | 6 | $253,466 | $560,399 | $279,931 |
| 2022 | $6,192,548 | $3,304,187 | $59,333 | $56,500 | 5 | $57,251 | $75,054 | $223,413 |
| 2021 | $3,417,560 | $3,570,284 | $10,364 | — | — | $1,900 | — | $55,609 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Blue Water Foundation reported a distributable amount of $333K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Blue Water Foundation is led by Robert Sabes, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Robert Sabes
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jon Sabes
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ross Sabes
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven Sabes
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janet Sabes
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Blue Water Foundation
How much does Blue Water Foundation give each year?
Blue Water Foundation gave $300K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $250K across 6 grants.
How large is Blue Water Foundation?
Blue Water Foundation reported $7.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $301K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $333K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
Where does Blue Water Foundation operate?
Blue Water Foundation has awarded grants in Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio.
What is Blue Water Foundation's EIN?
Blue Water Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-1574830. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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