The Ark Watch Foundation
The Ark Watch Foundation is a private foundation based in Los Altos, California. Its stated mission is to improve the welfare of animals in need in the United States and Canada, primarily through grants to established rescues and sanctuaries and through direct animal-welfare projects.
The Ark Watch Foundation at a glance
In short: The Ark Watch Foundation gave $1.6M across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $157K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,570,908
- +111.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- +66.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $157,091
- +26.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $37,300
- Total assets
- $6,925
- +66.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (64% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Ark Watch Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 573, Los Altos, CA 94023
Phone: (650) 279-0500
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Ark Watch Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Red Bell Run Foundation ($1.0M). Together the top 8 received $1.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
41 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 21 grants of 41 (51%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that its animal-welfare mission covers the United States and Canada. In 2024, its grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina (64%), New York (20%), South Dakota (10%), Michigan (4%), and Texas (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Ark Watch Foundation gives
- Giving grew 395% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $317K (2021) to $1.6M (2024). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Red Bell Run Foundation Columbus, NC | For care and vetting of ark watch rescued equines & general operating expenses | $1,007,080 |
| Fund for Animals Inc New York, NY | Care of ark watch rescued equines and duchess sanctuary operations | $200,000 |
| Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary Hot Springs, SD | Feeding and care of ark watch placed rescued horses | $150,000 |
| Fund for Animals Inc New York, NY | Concrete Pads for Hay and Storage Barns | $111,500 |
| Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue Dansville, MI | Care of rescued donkeys; purchase and transport of 3 feedlot donkeys | $56,600 |
| Humane Society of North Texas Fort Worth, TX | Capital Improvements to Equine Facility & Shelter Supplies | $18,000 |
| Farmhouse Fresh Animal Sanctuary McKinney, TX | Care of an Ark Watch Rescue Horse | $15,000 |
| Humanity for Horses Montague, CA | For feeding and care of ark watch sanctuaried animals | $10,000 |
| Hasty's Haven Liberty, SC | Vetting Expenses for Group of Rescued Donkeys | $2,500 |
| Fund for Animals Inc New York, NY | Donkey Blankets | $228 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $6,925 | $2,235,212 | $2,187,866 | $1,570,908 | 10 | $2,181,706 | $16,356 |
| 2023 | $4,151 | $1,444,417 | $1,436,183 | $743,337 | 6 | $1,430,348 | $14,483 |
| 2022 | $21,366 | $1,192,092 | $1,332,221 | $678,825 | 9 | $1,329,491 | $18,471 |
| 2021 | $88,316 | $1,016,674 | $919,949 | $317,217 | 6 | $917,195 | $13,850 |
| 2020 | $89,610 | $976,794 | $929,375 | $498,900 | 10 | — | $16,148 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ark Watch Foundation reported a distributable amount of $16K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s website states that it works to improve animal welfare in the United States and Canada. It says it primarily does so by awarding grants to established rescues and sanctuaries that provide sanctuary to, or otherwise benefit, animals. The website also identifies Knightsbridge Farm as one of the foundation’s own projects.
Its 2024 grants supported equine and other animal rescue and sanctuary work, including care for rescued horses and donkeys, veterinary expenses, feed, facility improvements, and sanctuary operations. Among the grantees, Red Bell Run Foundation describes its mission as rescuing at-risk animals and providing rehabilitation and permanent placement, including lifelong sanctuary. Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue describes its mission as promoting the health and welfare of donkeys and mules. Farmhouse Fresh Animal Sanctuary describes its work as rescue, rehabilitation, and lifelong sanctuary for neglected farm animals, alongside public education and advocacy.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 10 grants totaling $1,570,908. Grant amounts ranged from $228 to $1,007,080, with a median grant of $37,300.
The largest grants included $1,007,080 to Red Bell Run Foundation for care and vetting of Ark Watch-rescued equines and general operating expenses; $200,000 to Fund for Animals for care of rescued equines and Duchess Sanctuary operations; and $150,000 to Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary for feeding and care of Ark Watch-placed rescued horses. Other notable grants were $111,500 to Fund for Animals for concrete pads for hay and storage barns, and $56,600 to Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue for care of rescued donkeys and the purchase and transport of three feedlot donkeys.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Celine Myers as executive director and president, and Chris Hjelm as secretary. The foundation’s website identifies Myers as its founder and president and says she started the organization in fall 2004.
The Ark Watch Foundation is led by Celine Myers, Executive Director & President on filings since 2020; 1 of 2 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Celine Myers
Executive Director & President
On filings since 2020
60 hrs/week
$210K (2020) → $310K (2024)
Chris Hjelm
Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Vicki Kerr (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Celine Myers See Statement (2022) — Executive Director & President
- Former: Carin D'innocente (2020) — Treasurer
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $310K, to Celine Myers (Exec. Director/President).
Frequently asked questions about The Ark Watch Foundation
How much does The Ark Watch Foundation give each year?
The Ark Watch Foundation gave $1.6M across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $743K across 6 grants.
What is The Ark Watch Foundation's typical grant size?
The Ark Watch Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $37,300, and its average grant was $157,091, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Ark Watch Foundation give grants?
The Ark Watch Foundation gives mostly in North Carolina: 64% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (20%) and South Dakota (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (3 grants).
Does The Ark Watch Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 10% of The Ark Watch Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Ark Watch Foundation's largest grantees?
The Ark Watch Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Red Bell Run Foundation ($1,007,080), Fund for Animals Inc ($311,728 across 3 grants) and Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary ($150,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 94% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Ark Watch Foundation?
The Ark Watch Foundation reported $7K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $16K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Ark Watch Foundation fund?
The foundation’s website states that it works to improve animal welfare in the United States and Canada. It says it primarily does so by awarding grants to established rescues and sanctuaries that provide sanctuary to, or otherwise benefit, animals. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Ark Watch Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Ark Watch Foundation's EIN?
The Ark Watch Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3618680. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Ark Watch Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Ark Watch Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-ark-watch-foundation-morg_13f16b0c0fee410daf471f21d75fc231
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_203618680_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Ark Watch Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-ark-watch-foundation-morg_13f16b0c0fee410daf471f21d75fc231},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 The Ark Watch Foundation'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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