James R Watts Trust
James R Watts Trust is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Paducah, KY. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2023. As of 2023, the organization holds $158K in total assets. In 2023, it awarded 2 grants totaling $10K. Net investment income was $8K.
James R Watts Trust at a glance
In short: James R Watts Trust gave $10K across 2 grants in 2023 (avg $5K), mostly in Kentucky. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $9,500
- -26.9% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 2
- +0.0% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $4,750
- -26.9% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $4,750
- Total assets
- $158,389
- -2.7% vs 2022
- Primary geography
- Kentucky (100% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated September 2026.
Who James R Watts Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Graves County Board of Education ($7K). Together the top 2 received $10K.
Grant Size Distribution
8 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 8 grants of 8 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How James R Watts Trust gives
- Giving fell 21% from 2020 to 2023. Method
- In 2023 it paid out 79% 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 2020 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $10K (2023) to $13K (2022). In 2023 it made 2 grants totaling $10K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Graves County Board of Education Mayfield, KY | Scholarship Funds | $7,000 |
| Mayfield Board of Education Mayfield, KY | Scholarship Funds | $2,500 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $158,389 | $10,212 | $14,543 | $9,500 | 2 | $9,500 | $7,859 | $12,049 |
| 2022 | $162,720 | $-94 | $16,565 | $13,000 | 2 | $13,000 | $3,359 | $12,889 |
| 2021 | $179,379 | $4,313 | $22,438 | $13,000 | 2 | $13,000 | $2,168 | $13,443 |
| 2020 | $175,890 | $3,934 | $15,089 | $12,000 | 2 | — | $4,052 | $11,944 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, James R Watts Trust reported a distributable amount of $12K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
James R Watts Trust is led by Bo Neely, Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Bo Neely
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2023. "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 James R Watts Trust
How much does James R Watts Trust give each year?
James R Watts Trust gave $10K across 2 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $13K across 2 grants.
How large is James R Watts Trust?
James R Watts Trust reported $158K in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $10K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $12K (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.
What is James R Watts Trust?
James R Watts Trust is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Paducah, KY. It holds $158K in total assets as of 2023.
Where does James R Watts Trust operate?
James R Watts Trust has awarded grants in Kentucky.
What is James R Watts Trust's EIN?
James R Watts Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1585269. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
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 2020–2023
Live grants for the work James R Watts Trust funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Creative Impact Grants $500 - $2,500 · 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 James R Watts Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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