Paul L Wattis Foundation
Paul L Wattis Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in San Francisco, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $5.8M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 11 grants totaling $371K. Net investment income was $1.1M.
Key facts about Paul L Wattis Foundation
- EIN
- 84-1624183
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $370,500
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- Average grant
- $33,682
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $5,787,095
- Primary geography
- California (92% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Paul L Wattis Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Paul L Wattis Foundation's 11 itemized 2024 grants were California (92%) and District of Columbia (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (6 grants). 18% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
How Paul L Wattis Foundation gives
- Giving fell 33% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 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.
Next steps with Paul L Wattis Foundation
- How to evaluate Paul L Wattis Foundation as a funder
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.8M
+12.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$371K
-17.5% YoY
Grant Count
11
+22.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$34K
-32.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Paul L Wattis Foundation reported a distributable amount of $520K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About Paul L Wattis Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Paul L Wattis Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in San Francisco, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $5.8M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 11 grants totaling $371K. Net investment income was $1.1M.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 11 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,787,095 | $5,137,378 | $5,498,738 |
| Revenue | $1,072,651 | $162,427 | $127,580 |
| Expenses | $422,933 | $523,787 | $451,744 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $409,518 | $506,936 | $411,235 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,059,236 | $145,676 | $102,071 |
| Distributable Amount | $519,804 | $458,349 | $483,096 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
52 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include San Francisco Jazz Organization ($125,000 across 2 grants), The Grabhorn Institute & Arion Press ($100,000 across 2 grants), LACMA - Museum Associates ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco Jazz Organization San Francisco, CA | Support the SFJAZZ Immersive Media Project | $100,000 |
| LACMA - Museum Associates Los Angeles, CA | Support Ed Ruscha/Now Then: A Retrospective | $50,000 |
| Sweetwater Music Hall Mill Valley, CA | General support | $50,000 |
| The Grabhorn Institute & Arion Press San Francisco, CA | Capital campaign to help move the Arion Press historic printing facility to Fort Mason | $50,000 |
| The Grabhorn Institute & Arion Press San Francisco, CA | Capital campaign to help move the Arion Press historic printing facility to Fort Mason | $50,000 |
| American Near East Refugee Aid Inc Washington, DC | Support the distribution of meals to people affected by the war in Gaza | $30,000 |
| San Francisco Jazz Organization San Francisco, CA | Support the SFJAZZ Gala 2024 | $25,000 |
| Diocese of Monterey Tres Pinos, CA | Support the Parish Painting Project | $5,000 |
| Saint John's Presbyterian Church San Francisco, CA | Support the provision of a space available for community purposes | $5,000 |
| The Swedenborgian Church San Francisco, CA | Support the provision of a space available for community purposes | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul L Wattis III | President, Director | 12 | — |
| Paul L Wattis Jr | Sect'y., Tres., Director | 1 | — |
| Anne M Wattis | Director | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Paul L Wattis Foundation?
Paul L Wattis Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in San Francisco, CA. It holds $5.8M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is Paul L Wattis Foundation?
As of 2024, Paul L Wattis Foundation holds $5.8M in total assets with $1.1M in annual revenue. It awarded 11 grants totaling $371K in 2024.
Where does Paul L Wattis Foundation operate?
Paul L Wattis Foundation has awarded grants in California, Colorado, District of Columbia, New York.
What size grants does Paul L Wattis Foundation award?
In 2024, Paul L Wattis Foundation awarded 11 grants totaling $371K — an average of about $34K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Paul L Wattis Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Paul L Wattis Foundation reported a distributable amount of $520K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Paul L Wattis Foundation's EIN?
Paul L Wattis Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-1624183. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.