Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc
The Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation is a private foundation established in Wyoming in 2000 and based in Sheridan. The foundation was created by Joe and Arlene Watt, who were part of Wyoming homesteading families in the areas of Gillette and Moorcroft. The couple built a successful cattle operation called the Triangle T Ranch, from which they retired in 1984. The foundation operates as a family foundation with a strong commitment to supporting the local Sheridan community.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$23.7M
+3.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.3M
-4.4% YoY
Grant Count
20
+25.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$66K
-23.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports the community of Sheridan, Wyoming with a focus on:
- Health and hospitals
- Higher education
- Human services
- Youth development
- Education (K-12 and beyond)
The foundation demonstrates particular commitment to education, with tax records indicating substantial support for local schools and education nonprofits. Recent grantees in human services include organizations working in elder care, abuse prevention, and housing security.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $3,000 to $500,000.
How to Apply
** The foundation does not maintain a website to guide grant seekers. While the Watt Foundation appears to accept unsolicited applications from nonprofits, limited information exists regarding the breakdown between competitive grantees and pre-selected grantees. Prospective grantees are advised to take a straightforward approach to networking to get on the foundation's radar.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is geographically focused on Sheridan, Wyoming and the surrounding region. It is noted as one of the most geographically focused funders in Wyoming, making it particularly relevant for a wide range of local nonprofits in the Sheridan area.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $22,860,352
- Total revenues: $1,783,826
- Total expenses: $1,535,686
- Total giving: $1,312,000
- Investment income and dividends: $746,265
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $23,683,686
The foundation has no employees and generates revenue primarily through investment income and dividends rather than contributions.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $23,683,686 | $22,860,352 | $22,618,273 |
| Revenue | $2,313,538 | $1,783,826 | $327,038 |
| Expenses | $1,490,204 | $1,535,686 | $1,619,945 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,317,131 | $1,377,089 | $1,470,037 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,168,441 | $1,647,468 | $457,705 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,421,773 | $1,312,602 | $1,371,948 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
91 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Sheridan Cnty Hospital Foundation ($300,000), Child Development Center ($200,000), Doubleday Sports Complex ($200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ADVOCACY RESOURCE CENTER SHERIDAN, WY | LSH FUNDRAISER | $25,000 |
| BIG HORN FIRE DEPARTMENT BIG HORN, WY | UNRESTRICTED | $3,000 |
| BLACK MOUNTAIN NORDIC SHERIDAN, WY | UNRESTRICTED | $20,000 |
| CENTER FOR A VITAL COMMUNITY SHERIDAN, WY | UNRESTRICTED | $5,000 |
| CHAPS SHERIDAN, WY | UNRESTRICTED | $15,000 |
| CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER SHERIDAN, WY | UNRESTRICTED | $200,000 |
| CLEARMONT FIRE DEPARTMENT CLEARMONT, WY | UNRESTRICTED | $3,000 |
| COMPASS CENTER FOR FAMILIES SHERIDAN, WY | UNRESTRICTED | $25,000 |
| DAYTON FIRE DEPARTMENT RANCHESTER, WY | UNRESTRICTED | $6,000 |
| DOUBLEDAY SPORTS COMPLEX SHERIDAN, WY | UNRESTRICTED | $200,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Richard D Hammer - President (as of 2023)
- John M Pradere - Trustee
- Robert Eberhart - Trustee
- Ky Dixon - Trustee
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN M PRADERE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ROBERT EBERHART | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| RICHARD D HAMMER | PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| DEBRA WENDTLAND | VICE PRESIDE | 2 | — |
| JOY HART BROWN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| PETER PELISSIER | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In recent years, the foundation has continued active grantmaking to local organizations. Big Brothers, Big Sisters received a $20,000 grant from the foundation, demonstrating ongoing support for youth-focused nonprofits in the Sheridan area.
Big Brothers, Big Sisters Receives $20,000 From Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation\Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation supports the community of Sheridan, Wyoming with a focus on: • Health and hospitals • Higher education • Human services • Youth development • Education (K-12 and beyond) The foundation demonstrates particular commitment to education, with tax records indicating substantial support for local schools and education nonprofits. Recent grantees in human services include organizations working in elder care, abuse prevention, and housing security.
How do I apply for a grant from Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc?
**Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $3,000 to $500,000. **Recent Activity:** In 2023, the foundation made 16 grants totaling $1,312,000. Notable recent grants include: • Homer A and Mildred S Scott Foundation: $500,000 (Bridges Project) • The Hub Smith: $150,000 (Unrestricted) • Green House Living for Sheridan: $109,441 (Unrestricted) • Big Brothers, Big Sisters: $20,000 **Application Process:** The foundation does not maintain a website to guide grant seekers. While the Watt Foundation …
Where does Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation is geographically focused on Sheridan, Wyoming and the surrounding region. It is noted as one of the most geographically focused funders in Wyoming, making it particularly relevant for a wide range of local nonprofits in the Sheridan area.
What size grants does Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc awarded 20 grants totaling $1.3M — an average of about $66K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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