Frederick O Watson Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Minneapolis, MN EIN: 41-1625546

The Frederick O Watson Foundation is a private foundation based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Its 2025 filing reports one $5,000 grant to support housing for people experiencing homelessness in Central Oregon.

Frederick O Watson Foundation at a glance

In short: Frederick O Watson Foundation gave $5K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $5K), mostly in Oregon. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2025)
$5,000
-16.7% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
1
-50.0% vs 2024
Average grant
$5,000
+66.7% vs 2024
Median grant
$5,000
Total assets
$1,560,311
-7.6% vs 2024
Primary geography
Oregon (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.

How to apply to Frederick O Watson Foundation

How to Apply

The filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It lists Douglas F Watson as the contact, says there is no set form, and states that there are no restrictions on awards.

Contact

Application contact: Douglas F Watson
Mailing address: 4725 Excelsior Blvd Suite 402, Minneapolis, MN 55416
Phone: (612) 920-5034

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Frederick O Watson Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top recipient in 2025

Shepherd's House: $5KShepherd's House$5K

The largest 2025 recipient was Shepherd's House ($5K).

Grant Size Distribution

37 grants across all recorded years

36<$50K1$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 36 grants of 37 (97%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The 2025 grant dollars listed went to a recipient in Oregon.

Grant Distribution by State

14states

Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.

Cities

BendPort AngelesSalinasMinneapolisNew YorkSpokaneAshevilleBaltimoreSeattleBeavertonMontereyPortlandAmherstAtlantaBostonCapitol HeightsCincinnatiFairfieldLoizaMadison

How Frederick O Watson Foundation gives

  • Giving fell 98% from 2022 to 2025. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 206% 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

$0$100K$200K$300K$400K6 grants2019 24 grants2020 21 grants2021 11 grants2022 2 grants2023 2 grants2024 1 grant2025

From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $5K (2025) to $317K (2020). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $5K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Shepherd's House Bend, ORTo Aid Housing for Homeless in Central Oregon$5,000
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Frederick O Watson Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2025$1,560,311$17,248$19,349$5,0001$5,000$8,949$2,433
2024$1,688,499$31,473$20,163$6,0002$6,000$23,297$2,993
2023$1,472,988$12,757$19,025$6,0002$6,000$5,732$4,067
2022$9,034$7,029$216,088$203,00011$209,000—$997
2021$302,707$5,586$243,055$230,00021$236,000—$9,158
2020$650,066$16,293$330,873$317,00024—$7,420$14,826
2019$966,178$1,026,359$151,382$138,0006—$50,956$33,143

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Frederick O Watson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2025, the foundation gave $5,000 through one grant. The award was $5,000 to Shepherd’s House in Bend, Oregon, for “to aid housing for homeless in Central Oregon.” In 2024, it reported two grants totaling $6,000; in 2023, it reported two grants totaling $6,000.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Douglas F Watson as president and treasurer, Stephen M Watson as vice president, and Charles H Watson as director.

Frederick O Watson Foundation is led by Douglas F. Watson, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2019; 1 of 3 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Douglas F. Watson

    President & Treasurer

    On filings since 2019

    5 hrs/week

    $12K (2019) → $12K (2025)

  • Charles H. Watson

    Director

    On filings since 2019

    No compensation reported

  • Stephen M. Watson

    Vice President

    On filings since 2019

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

Douglas F Watson — President & Treasurer: $12KDouglas F WatsonPresident & Treasurer$12K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $12K, to Douglas F Watson (President & Treasurer).

Frequently asked questions about Frederick O Watson Foundation

How much does Frederick O Watson Foundation give each year?

Frederick O Watson Foundation gave $5K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $6K across 2 grants.

How large is Frederick O Watson Foundation?

Frederick O Watson Foundation reported $1.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

How do I apply for a grant from Frederick O Watson Foundation?

The filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

Where does Frederick O Watson Foundation make grants?

The 2025 grant dollars listed went to a recipient in Oregon.

What is Frederick O Watson Foundation's EIN?

Frederick O Watson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1625546. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Data update history

(8)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 11, 2020)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 17, 2022)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 14, 2024)
  6. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 26, 2025)
  7. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 26, 2026)
  8. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Frederick O Watson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

The Jamf Nation Global Foundation

Minneapolis, MN

The Jamf Nation Global Foundation supports nonprofits aligned with its values and connected to Jamf employees’ local communities, including communities where employees live and work. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,738 to $976,054, with a median of $27,476. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$1.6M

Grants

5

Total Given

$1.4M

Duke Energy Foundation

Charlotte, NC

The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.

Assets

$1.9M

Grants

41

Total Given

$25.6M

Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc

Princeton, NJ

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.

Assets

$83.3M

Grants

144

Total Given

$67.7M

South Dakota Community Foundation

Pierre, SD

The South Dakota Community Foundation funds nonprofits and charitable projects in areas including education, health, human services, culture, and economic development, primarily benefiting South Dakota communities. Its 2024 grants had a median of $18,562, while 2026 Beyond Idea Grants range from $5,000 to $100,000 per year. Eligible nonprofits can apply for South Dakota Fund and Beyond Idea Grants through its online portal.

Assets

$939.2M

Grants

390

Total Given

$39.7M

The McKnight Foundation

Minneapolis, MN

The McKnight Foundation funds arts and culture, resilient food systems, Midwest climate and energy, neuroscience, and equitable communities, with Minnesota a primary focus for several programs and work also extending beyond the state. Its 2024 grants had a median of $100,000; prospective applicants should first discuss fit with program staff, who provide proposal instructions if the work can be considered.

Assets

$2.7B

Grants

790

Total Given

$145.9M

M J Murdock Charitable Trust

Vancouver, WA

The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust funds nonprofit capacity-building and projects in arts and culture, civic and community services, education, health and environmental stewardship, and scientific research across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Its 2024 median grant was $87,000, with awards ranging from $4,000 to about $1.55 million. Eligible organizations can submit a Letter of Inquiry; full applications are by invitation.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$2.0B

Grants

797

Total Given

$116.6M

More similar funders

More Funders in Minnesota

The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open

Figures come from Frederick O Watson Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.

Frederick O Watson Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?