Judicial Watch Inc logo

Judicial Watch Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker Washington, DC EIN: 52-1885088 Website

To promote integrity, transparency and accountability in government and fidelity to the rule of law through public advocacy, litigation and monitoring and investigating federal, state and local government entities and officials, among other activities.

Key facts about Judicial Watch Inc

In short: Judicial Watch Inc gave $88K across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $18K), top state Virginia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

EIN
52-1885088
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$87,900
Grants made (2025)
5
Average grant
$17,580
Median grant
$16,500
Total assets
$592,877,324
Primary geography
Virginia (46% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$592.9M

+17.9% YoY

Annual Giving

$88K

+55.6% YoY

Grant Count

5

+66.7% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$18K

-6.7% YoY

How Judicial Watch Inc gives

  • Giving grew 66% from 2022 to 2025. Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.

About Judicial Watch Inc

Based on IRS filings

Judicial Watch Inc is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $592.9M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $88K. Net investment income was $19.6M.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Judicial Watch Inc?

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

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

4states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.

Cities

AlexandriaWashingtonPhoenixRiverton

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$100K$200K$300K4 grants2020 3 grants2021 3 grants2022 4 grants2023 3 grants2024 5 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $53K (2022) to $203K (2020). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $88K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 5 recipients in 2025

American Conservative Union Foundation: $35KAmerican Conservative UnionFoundation$35KTurning Point USA: $25KTurning Point USA$25KCouncil for National Policy: $17KCouncil for National Policy$17KFreedomfest: $6KFreedomfest$6KCoalitions for America: $5KCoalitions for America$5K

The largest 2025 recipient was American Conservative Union Foundation ($35K). Together the top 5 received $88K.

Grant Size Distribution

18 grants across all recorded years

18<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 18 grants of 18 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
American Conservative Union Foundation Alexandria, VAEvent Sponsorship$35,000
Turning Point USA Phoenix, AZEvent Sponsorship$25,000
Council for National Policy Washington, DCSponsorship/Membership$16,500
Freedomfest Riverton, UTEvent Sponsorship$6,400
Coalitions for America Alexandria, VAEvent Sponsorship$5,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$50M$100M$150M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$592,877,324$502,896,231$412,582,707
Revenue$102,272,691$127,656,836$104,336,382
Expenses$57,429,395$55,292,045$53,230,384
Net Investment Income$19,598,180$28,782,554$8,290,198

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 28, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 28, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 21, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 1, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 14, 2025)
  6. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 8, 2026)
  7. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Judicial Watch Inc is led by Thomas J. Fitton, President & Director on every filing since 2020; all 9 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Thomas J. Fitton

    President & Director

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $434K (2020) → $1.2M (2025)

  • Christopher J. Farrell

    Director of Investigations

    Director → Director of Investigations, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $367K (2020) → $889K (2025)

  • Paul J. Orfanedes

    Treasurer, Secretary & Director

    On filings since 2020

    50 hrs/week

    $433K (2020) → $932K (2025)

  • Steven Andersen

    Director of Development

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $265K (2020) → $453K (2025)

  • Robert Patrick Sticht

    Senior Attorney

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $293K (2020) → $456K (2025)

  • Robert Popper

    Senior Attorney

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $227K (2020) → $371K (2025)

  • Michael Bekesha

    Attorney

    On filings since 2021

    40 hrs/week

    $205K (2021) → $320K (2025)

  • Thornton Nobile

    Senior Attorney

    On filings since 2024

    40 hrs/week

    $276K (2024) → $300K (2025)

  • Timothy Gray

    Controller

    New on the 2025 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $324K (2025)

Former officers (3)
  • Former: John Albertella (2020–2024) — Director of Direct Marketing
  • Former: Thornton Nobel (2020–2023) — Senior Attorney
  • Former: James Peterson (2020) — Attorney

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.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

Thomas J Fitton — President, Director: $1.2MThomas J FittonPresident, Director$1.2MPaul J Orfanedes — Treasurer, Secretary, Dire: $932KPaul J OrfanedesTreasurer, Secretary, Dire$932KChristopher J Farrell — Director of Investigations: $889KChristopher J FarrellDirector of Investigations$889KRobert Patrick Sticht — Senior Attorney: $456KRobert Patrick StichtSenior Attorney$456KSteven Andersen — Director of Development: $453KSteven AndersenDirector of Development$453KRobert Popper — Senior Attorney: $371KRobert PopperSenior Attorney$371KTimothy Gray — Controller: $324KTimothy GrayController$324KMichael Bekesha — Attorney: $320KMichael BekeshaAttorney$320KThornton Nobile — Senior Attorney: $300KThornton NobileSenior Attorney$300K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $1.2M, to Thomas J Fitton (President, Director). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Judicial Watch Inc

How much does Judicial Watch Inc give each year?

Judicial Watch Inc gave $88K across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $57K across 3 grants.

What is Judicial Watch Inc's typical grant size?

Judicial Watch Inc's median grant in 2025 was $16,500, and its average grant was $17,580, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.

Where does Judicial Watch Inc give grants?

Judicial Watch Inc's top state is Virginia, with 46% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Arizona (28%) and District of Columbia (19%). The most frequent recipient cities were Alexandria, VA (2 grants).

Does Judicial Watch Inc give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on Judicial Watch Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Event Sponsorship" (4 grants).

Who are Judicial Watch Inc's largest grantees?

Judicial Watch Inc's largest 2025 grantees include American Conservative Union Foundation ($35,000), Turning Point USA ($25,000) and Council for National Policy ($16,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 87% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Judicial Watch Inc?

Judicial Watch Inc reported $592.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $102.3M.

What is Judicial Watch Inc?

Judicial Watch Inc is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Washington, DC. It holds $592.9M in total assets as of 2025.

What is Judicial Watch Inc's EIN?

Judicial Watch Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1885088. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Judicial Watch Inc by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Judicial Watch Inc's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders with grantees in common

Leadership Institute

Arlington, VA

Educate people for successful participation in government, politics and media.

Public, Societal Benefit

Assets

$32.2M

Grants

9

Total Given

$212K

It Takes a Family Foundation Inc

San Clemente, CA

The foundation supports a varied range of charitable organizations, including those focused on civic engagement, religious freedom, disability services, and family values. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $200,000, with a median of $5,000; nearly half of grant dollars went to California recipients, with others in several states and Washington, D.C. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$5.2M

Grants

35

Total Given

$758K

Gardner Grout Foundation

Reno, NV

The Gardner Grout Foundation’s 2023 grants supported three California foundations with general support. Its three grants were about $18.6 million each; it gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

—

Grants

3

Total Given

$55.8M

The 85 Fund

Fort Worth, TX

THE 85 FUND supports public education and related activities on constitutionalism, limited government, religious liberty, courts, education policy, and election reform. In 2024, its 39 grants ranged from $6,000 to $67.9 million, with a median of $110,000; most grant dollars went to organizations in Virginia and Connecticut. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Crime & Legal Related

Assets

$2.8M

Grants

39

Total Given

$118.2M

The Abstraction Fund

New York, NY

The Abstraction Fund supports preselected charitable organizations, with recent grants spanning policy research, education, Jewish community life, and music education; most 2024 grant dollars went to organizations in New York. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $300,000, with a median of $6,000, and it does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$681K

Grants

7

Total Given

$341K

K&L Baxter Family Foundation Inc

Las Vegas, NV

Assets

$42K

Grants

7

Total Given

$59K

The Fred Sands Family Foundation

Woodland Hills, CA

The Fred Sands Family Foundation funds general operating support for charitable organizations, with 2024 grants ranging from $250 to $100,000 and a median of $6,000. Its 2024 grants went to organizations in Wisconsin, Virginia, the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, and Florida. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$2.4M

Grants

12

Total Given

$234K

The Master's Table Inc

Bristol, TN

The Master’s Table Inc. funds Christian education, faith-based activities, and human services, with 2025 grants ranging from $2,000 to $250,000 and a median of $15,000. It is based in Bristol, Tennessee, and its grants went to organizations in several states, led by Pennsylvania and Tennessee. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$689K

Grants

20

Total Given

$677K

The Jack Roth Charitable Foundation

Pacific Palisades, CA

The Jack Roth Charitable Foundation supports preselected charitable organizations, with 2024 grants spanning civic and cultural engagement, media, policy research, journalism, and services for at-risk children. Its 20 grants ranged from $4,500 to $1.25 million, with a median of $17,500; funding went primarily to organizations in Arizona and California. It does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$10.8M

Grants

20

Total Given

$2.6M

Floyd Foundation

Kalispell, MT

The Floyd Foundation supports charitable organizations with varied interests, including senior services, education, child advocacy, food access, journalism, and faith-based programs, with most 2024 funding going to Montana and additional grants to organizations in other states. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $30,000, with a median of $8,500. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.

Assets

$1.1M

Grants

20

Total Given

$185K

Bell Charitable Foundation

Rancho Santa Fe, CA

The foundation supports charitable organizations focused on health, animal welfare, government accountability, and legal advocacy, with 2025 grants ranging from $2,000 to $100,000 and a median grant of $20,000. It is based in California, with the largest share of 2025 funding going to California organizations, and also funded groups in several other states and Washington, DC. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$5.1M

Grants

26

Total Given

$628K

JLH Foundation

Scottsdale, AZ

JLH Foundation supports organizations in higher education, media, leadership education, and public policy, with 2024 grants concentrated in Arizona, Washington, DC, Virginia, Texas, and California. Its 28 grants ranged from $5,000 to $220,000, with a median of $10,000. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$8.5M

Grants

28

Total Given

$795K

More Funders in District of Columbia

Judicial Watch Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?