Blue Waters Foundation
Blue Waters Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Annapolis, MD. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $3.2M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 9 grants totaling $280K. Net investment income was $253K.
Key facts about Blue Waters Foundation
- EIN
- 04-3707013
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $280,000
- Grants made (2025)
- 9
- Average grant
- $31,111
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $3,163,024
- Primary geography
- Maryland (38% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Blue Waters Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Blue Waters Foundation's 9 itemized 2025 grants were Maryland (38%), Alaska (30%) and New York (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Annapolis, MD (2 grants). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
How Blue Waters Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−7%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 101% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Next steps with Blue Waters Foundation
- How to evaluate Blue Waters Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to Blue Waters Foundation with AI
AI grant writing that drafts from your organization’s own materials, in your voice.
- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
A free Google Sheets or Excel template for deadlines, award terms, and reports due.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.2M
-1.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$280K
+21.7% YoY
Grant Count
9
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$31K
+21.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Blue Waters Foundation reported a distributable amount of $279K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About Blue Waters Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Blue Waters Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Annapolis, MD. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $3.2M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 9 grants totaling $280K. Net investment income was $253K.
Focus Areas
Ready to take the next step with Blue Waters Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 9 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,163,024 | $3,200,752 | $3,388,938 |
| Revenue | $306,503 | $107,140 | $289,699 |
| Expenses | $338,140 | $288,528 | $290,705 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $280,000 | $230,000 | $225,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $253,007 | $59,787 | $227,143 |
| Distributable Amount | $278,593 | $258,429 | $240,513 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
56 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include Southeast Alaska Food Bank ($85,000), Stephen Siller Tunnel to Tower Foundation ($45,000), Hospice of the Chesapeake Foundation ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SOUTHEAST ALASKA FOOD BANK Juneau, AK | GENERAL SUPPORT | $85,000 |
| STEPHEN SILLER TUNNEL TO TOWER FOUNDATION Staten Island, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $45,000 |
| HOSPICE OF THE CHESAPEAKE FOUNDATION Pasadena, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| INFINITE HERO FOUNDATION Lake Forest, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY FOOD BANK Crownsville, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| THE HELPING UP MISSION INC Baltimore, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| FRIENDS OF THE LIGHT HOUSE Annapolis, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| GARY SINISE FOUNDATION Nashville, TN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY CASA INC Annapolis, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Blue Waters Foundation's 2025 filing lists 4 officers; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Daniel Buck
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daryl Sidle
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Meagan Heffernan
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven Buck
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Lauren Buck Part Year (2024) — Trustee
- Former: Lauren Buck (2020–2023) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Blue Waters Foundation?
Blue Waters Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Annapolis, MD. It holds $3.2M in total assets as of 2025.
How large is Blue Waters Foundation?
As of 2025, Blue Waters Foundation holds $3.2M in total assets with $307K in annual revenue. It awarded 9 grants totaling $280K in 2025.
Where does Blue Waters Foundation operate?
Blue Waters Foundation has awarded grants in Alaska, California, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, Tennessee.
What size grants does Blue Waters Foundation award?
In 2025, Blue Waters Foundation awarded 9 grants totaling $280K — an average of about $31K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Blue Waters Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Blue Waters Foundation reported a distributable amount of $279K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Blue Waters Foundation's EIN?
Blue Waters Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3707013. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Blue Waters Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Anne Arundel Economic Development
Annapolis, MD
Assets
$9.7M
Grants
22
Total Given
$828K
The Maryland Food Bank Inc
Baltimore, MD
Assets
$69.0M
Grants
83
Total Given
$2.3M
Gannett Foundation Inc
New York, NY
Assets
—
Grants
32
Total Given
$65K
The United Way of Central Maryland Inc
Baltimore, MD
Assets
$51.1M
Grants
216
Total Given
$10.6M
The Geaton and Joann Decesaris
Davidsonville, MD
Assets
$13.9M
Grants
59
Total Given
$850K
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Assets
$16.6M
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
William J and Dorothy K O'Neill
Cleveland, OH
Assets
$103.6M
Grants
185
Total Given
$5.3M
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Service Trust
Erlanger, KY
Assets
$77.3M
Grants
101
Total Given
$10.9M
The Alaska Community Foundation
Anchorage, AK
Assets
$243.9M
Grants
343
Total Given
$12.3M
Edwards Lifesciences Foundation
Irvine, CA
Assets
—
Grants
224
Total Given
$9.0M
Kimley-Horn Foundation
Raleigh, NC
Assets
—
Grants
253
Total Given
$1.9M
Rasmuson Foundation
Anchorage, AK
Assets
$845.4M
Grants
300
Total Given
$17.7M
More Funders in Maryland
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.