Blue Waters Foundation
Blue Waters Foundation is a private foundation, 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.
Blue Waters Foundation at a glance
In short: Blue Waters Foundation gave $280K across 9 grants in 2025 (avg $31K), top state Maryland. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $280,000
- +21.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 9
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $31,111
- +21.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $3,163,024
- -1.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Maryland (38% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Blue Waters Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Southeast Alaska Food Bank ($85K). Together the top 9 received $280K.
Grant Size Distribution
56 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 51 grants of 56 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $206K (2020) to $301K (2022). In 2025 it made 9 grants totaling $280K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| 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 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,163,024 | $306,503 | $338,140 | $280,000 | 9 | $280,000 | $253,007 | $278,593 |
| 2024 | $3,200,752 | $107,140 | $288,528 | $230,000 | 9 | $230,000 | $59,787 | $258,429 |
| 2023 | $3,388,938 | $289,699 | $290,705 | $225,000 | 10 | $225,000 | $227,143 | $240,513 |
| 2022 | $3,406,823 | $260,605 | $361,874 | $301,000 | 14 | $301,000 | $206,661 | $266,989 |
| 2021 | $3,529,889 | $527,850 | $319,799 | $271,000 | 14 | — | $484,992 | $251,550 |
| 2020 | $3,332,604 | $18,202 | $252,264 | $205,500 | 12 | — | $23,106 | $230,830 |
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions about Blue Waters Foundation
How much does Blue Waters Foundation give each year?
Blue Waters Foundation gave $280K across 9 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $230K across 9 grants.
What is Blue Waters Foundation's typical grant size?
Blue Waters Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $31,111, across 9 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Blue Waters Foundation give grants?
Blue Waters Foundation's top state is Maryland, with 38% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Alaska (30%) and New York (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Annapolis, MD (2 grants).
Does Blue Waters Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Blue Waters Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 9) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Blue Waters Foundation's largest grantees?
Blue Waters Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Southeast Alaska Food Bank ($85,000), Stephen Siller Tunnel to Tower Foundation ($45,000) and Hospice of the Chesapeake Foundation ($30,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 57% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Blue Waters Foundation?
Blue Waters Foundation reported $3.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $280K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $279K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
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.
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 2020–2025
Live grants for the work Blue Waters Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Blue Waters Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Blue Waters Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?