The Blue Waters Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in ANNAPOLIS, MD. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $21.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 16 grants totaling $1.9M. Net investment income was $107K.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$21.0M
-5.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.9M
+249.5% YoY
Grant Count
16
+60.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$121K
+118.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Blue Waters Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About The Blue Waters Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The Blue Waters Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in ANNAPOLIS, MD. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $21.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 16 grants totaling $1.9M. Net investment income was $107K.
Focus Areas
Ready to take the next step with The Blue Waters Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $20,956,718 | $22,255,248 | $1,465,991 |
| Revenue | $114,127 | $21,479,901 | $23 |
| Expenses | $1,942,924 | $561,282 | $214,534 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,936,156 | $554,031 | $211,630 |
| Net Investment Income | $107,359 | $8,155 | — |
| Distributable Amount | $1,627,209 | $1,172,282 | $170,346 |
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
52 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include St Mary's School ($405,648), The Salisbury Foundation ($306,916), St Anne's School of Annapolis ($304,896).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARUNDEL RIVER FEDERATION EDGEWATER, MD | SUPPORT MISSION OF CLEAN UP OF THE SOUTH RIVER. | $100,689 |
| BALTIMORE BLUES SOCIETY BALTIMORE, MD | PRESERVE MUSICAL ART FORM-BLUES | $10,000 |
| BLUES FOUNDATION MEMPHIS, TN | PROMOTION OF AMERICA'S NATIVE MUSIC ART FORM-BLUES | $122,284 |
| CHESAPEAKE CONSERVANCY ANNAPOLIS, MD | CONSERVE & RESTORE CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED | $99,694 |
| DC BLUES SOCIETY WASHINGTON, DC | PROMOTING AND PRESERVING BLUES MUSIC | $8,000 |
| HISTORIC ANNAPOLIS ANNAPOLIS, MD | PRESERVE & PROTECT HISTORIC PLACES | $149,862 |
| MARYLAND HALL FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS ANNAPOLIS, MD | PROVIDE LIFELONG, ACCESSIBLE ENGAGEMENT IN THE ARTS | $60,010 |
| SPCA OF ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY ANNAPOLIS, MD | PROVIDE SHELTHER AND CARE FOR HOMELESS ANIMALS | $30,000 |
| ST MARY'S SCHOOL ANNAPOLIS, MD | SUPPORT OF HIGHER EDUCATION | $405,648 |
| ST ANNE'S SCHOOL OF ANNAPOLIS ANNAPOLIS, MD | SUPORT OF HIGHER EDUCATION | $304,896 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID A EARL | PRESIDENT | 0.5 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Blue Waters Foundation?
The Blue Waters Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in ANNAPOLIS, MD. It holds $21.0M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is The Blue Waters Foundation?
As of 2024, The Blue Waters Foundation holds $21.0M in total assets with $114K in annual revenue. It awarded 16 grants totaling $1.9M in 2024.
Where does The Blue Waters Foundation operate?
The Blue Waters Foundation has awarded grants in California, District of Columbia, Florida, Maryland, New York, Tennessee, Texas.
What size grants does The Blue Waters Foundation award?
In 2024, The Blue Waters Foundation awarded 16 grants totaling $1.9M — an average of about $121K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Blue Waters Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Blue Waters Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Blue Waters Foundation's EIN?
The Blue Waters Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 16-1643931. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Blue Waters Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
The Abell Foundation Inc
BALTIMORE, MD
Assets
$296.4M
Grants
391
Total Given
$13.4M
Rotary Club of Columbia Patuxent
COLUMBIA, MD
Assets
$376K
Grants
1
Total Given
$12K
American Federation for Children Growth
COLUMBIA, MD
Assets
$9.4M
Grants
11
Total Given
$2.4M
Mayfield Scholastic Ltd
BALTIMORE, MD
Assets
—
Grants
1
Total Given
$38K
Baltimore Curriculum Project Inc
BALTIMORE, MD
Assets
$17.3M
Grants
6
Total Given
$2.7M
Government Employees' Benefit
HANOVER, MD
Assets
$3K
Grants
43
Total Given
$108K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
What could you do with The Blue Waters Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching The Blue Waters Foundation to a real strategy.