Kenneth and Jean Watson Fund
Kenneth and Jean Watson Fund is a private foundation, based in Wilmington, DE. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.2M in total assets. In 2024, it made $15K in qualifying distributions. Net investment income was $121K.
Kenneth and Jean Watson Fund at a glance
- Total assets
- $1,214,472
- +10.8% vs 2023
- Revenue (2024)
- $152,454
- +211.2% vs 2023
- Qualifying distributions (2024)
- $15,135
- -16.2% vs 2023
- Expenses (2024)
- $34,522
- -1.0% vs 2023
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
Who Kenneth and Jean Watson Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
4 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 3 grants of 4 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
How Kenneth and Jean Watson Fund gives
- In 2024 it paid out 24% 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 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $100K (2020) to $150K (2021). In 2021 it made 2 grants totaling $150K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Depaul University Chicago, IL | College of Law program | $100,000 |
| Trinity Christian College Association Palos Heights, IL | By The Hand Club For Kids | $50,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,214,472 | $152,454 | $34,522 | — | — | $15,135 | $121,091 | $62,918 |
| 2023 | $1,096,540 | $48,983 | $34,864 | — | — | $18,055 | $15,622 | $58,385 |
| 2022 | $1,081,865 | $-8,945 | $35,630 | — | — | $15,947 | $3,575 | $58,800 |
| 2021 | $1,126,440 | $173,212 | $191,462 | $150,000 | 2 | $169,446 | $151,996 | $68,094 |
| 2020 | $1,144,690 | $28,777 | $141,094 | $100,000 | 2 | — | $9,151 | $64,884 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Kenneth and Jean Watson Fund reported a distributable amount of $63K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Kenneth and Jean Watson Fund is led by William W Thorsness, President, Director, Secretary & Treasurer on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
William W Thorsness
President, Director, Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Kenneth and Jean Watson Fund
How large is Kenneth and Jean Watson Fund?
Kenneth and Jean Watson Fund reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $15K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $63K (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.
Where does Kenneth and Jean Watson Fund operate?
Kenneth and Jean Watson Fund has awarded grants in Illinois.
What is Kenneth and Jean Watson Fund's EIN?
Kenneth and Jean Watson Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-5288107. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Kenneth and Jean Watson Fund funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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