Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc
The Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Sheridan, Wyoming. Its 2025 filing reports 19 grants totaling $1,409,671, all to recipients in Wyoming.
Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc gave $1.4M across 19 grants in 2025 (avg $74K), mostly in Wyoming. 21% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,409,671
- +7.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 19
- -5.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $74,193
- +13.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $33,838
- Total assets
- $24,478,561
- +3.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (4 of 19, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Wyoming (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. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s filing says giving is not restricted to preselected organizations. It asks applicants to submit a written application with the charity’s name, address, and tax ID; proof of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status; a copy of its most recent annual report in the form required by the applicable section of the Internal Revenue Code; and a description of the charitable purpose for which the funds would be used. The filing lists no award restrictions.
- Contact
Application contact: Joe And Arlene Watt Foundation
Mailing address: PO Box 6085, Sheridan, WY 82801
Phone: (307) 672-1498
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Senior Citizens Council ($250K). Together the top 10 received $1.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
94 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 51 grants of 94 (54%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in Wyoming. Listed recipients include organizations in Sheridan, Laramie, Buffalo, and Ranchester.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 19 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. With only 19 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $64K; repeat grants $77K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $40K repeat.
- 42% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−4%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 93% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.0M (2020) to $1.5M (2022). In 2025 it made 19 grants totaling $1.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Citizens Council Sheridan, WY | Unrestricted | $250,000 |
| Sheridan Cnty Hospital Foundation Sheridan, WY | Empath and Crisis Stabilization Unit | $200,000 |
| Sheridan College Foundation Sheridan, WY | Housing Scholarship Campaign | $200,000 |
| University of Wyoming Foundation Laramie, WY | Imagine Project | $200,000 |
| The Big Horn Baseball Club Sheridan, WY | Unrestricted | $200,000 |
| Salvation Army Sheridan, WY | Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| Sheridan County Library Foundation Sheridan, WY | Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| Chaps Sheridan, WY | Unrestricted | $40,000 |
| Holy Name Catholic School Sheridan, WY | Unrestricted | $40,000 |
| Sheridan County Land Trust Sheridan, WY | Unrestricted | $33,838 |
Ready to take the next step with Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc?
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 | $24,478,561 | $2,412,576 | $1,617,701 | $1,409,671 | 19 | $1,415,180 | $2,243,151 | $1,517,791 |
| 2024 | $23,683,686 | $2,313,538 | $1,490,204 | $1,312,000 | 20 | $1,317,131 | $2,168,441 | $1,421,773 |
| 2023 | $22,860,352 | $1,783,826 | $1,535,686 | $1,372,191 | 16 | $1,377,089 | $1,647,468 | $1,312,602 |
| 2022 | $22,618,273 | $327,038 | $1,619,945 | $1,465,165 | 19 | $1,470,037 | $457,705 | $1,371,948 |
| 2021 | $23,911,180 | $2,906,683 | $1,397,218 | $1,216,747 | 20 | $1,222,008 | $2,753,017 | $1,483,566 |
| 2020 | $22,401,715 | $1,429,648 | $1,202,469 | $1,034,000 | 16 | — | $1,265,218 | $1,208,778 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.5M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included unrestricted awards and support for a hospital crisis stabilization unit, a college housing scholarship campaign, a university project, and housing development.
The grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the kinds of organizations supported. The Sheridan County Library Foundation says its work benefits library users through books, materials, and equipment. Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern describes constructing modest, adequate housing for people in the Sheridan/Buffalo area. The Food Group says it seeks to alleviate childhood hunger in Sheridan County, while the Advocacy & Resource Center describes empowering people affected by violence.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 19 grants totaling $1,409,671. Awards ranged from $2,500 to $250,000, with a median grant of $33,838.
Among the largest reported awards were $250,000 to Senior Citizens Council for unrestricted purposes; $200,000 each to Sheridan County Hospital Foundation for an empath and crisis stabilization unit, Sheridan College Foundation for a housing scholarship campaign, University of Wyoming Foundation for the Imagine Project, and The Big Horn Baseball Club for unrestricted purposes. Other reported awards included $50,000 each to the Salvation Army and Sheridan County Library Foundation, and $33,333 to Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern for Weston Village development.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Richard D Hammer as president; Debra Wendtland as vice president; Peter Pelissier as secretary; and John M Pradere, Robert Eberhart, and Joy Hart Brown as directors.
Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc is led by Richard D. Hammer, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Richard D. Hammer
President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John M. Pradere
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Eberhart
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joy Hart Brown
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Debra Wendtland
Vice President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter Pelissier
Secretary
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Jack E. Pelissier (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Ky Dixon (2020–2022) — Secretary & Treasurer
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 Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc
How much does Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc give each year?
Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc gave $1.4M across 19 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.3M across 20 grants.
What is Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $33,838, and its average grant was $74,193, across 19 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc that year got $64K on average.
Where does Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc give grants?
Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc gives mostly in Wyoming: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Sheridan, WY (16 grants).
Does Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 58% of Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (11 of 19) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Senior Citizens Council ($250,000), Sheridan Cnty Hospital Foundation ($200,000) and Sheridan College Foundation ($200,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 46% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc?
Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc reported $24.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.5M (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 does Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included unrestricted awards and support for a hospital crisis stabilization unit, a college housing scholarship campaign, a university project, and housing development. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc?
The foundation’s filing says giving is not restricted to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc's EIN?
Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-0330482. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/joe-and-arlene-watt-foundation-inc-morg_dc690c6efbf1487a88a1ab56e6e4ae89
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_830330482_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/joe-and-arlene-watt-foundation-inc-morg_dc690c6efbf1487a88a1ab56e6e4ae89},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc'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.
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