The Johnson-Watkins Family
The Johnson-Watkins Family is a private foundation based in Moline, Illinois. Its 2025 IRS filing is marked as a final return: the foundation stated that it had ceased all activities, liquidated its securities investments, and contributed its remaining cash to charitable organizations. It therefore appears to have wound down and stopped grantmaking.
The Johnson-Watkins Family at a glance
In short: The Johnson-Watkins Family gave $169K across 3 grants in 2025 (avg $56K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $168,873
- -47.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 3
- -89.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $56,291
- +411.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $50,177
- Primary geography
- Illinois (70% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Johnson-Watkins Family
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation stated on its final filing that it does not accept unsolicited requests and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. This policy appears on a filing that also reports the foundation has ceased all activities; it should not be treated as a current application process.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2716 16Th Avenue, Moline, IL 61265
Phone: (309) 764-8361
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Johnson-Watkins Family funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Ballet Quad Cities ($69K). Together the top 3 received $169K.
Grant Size Distribution
109 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 103 grants of 109 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 70% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois and 30% to recipients in Iowa.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Johnson-Watkins Family gives
- Giving grew 589% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $25K (2022) to $319K (2024). In 2025 it made 3 grants totaling $169K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ballet Quad Cities Rock Island, IL | Community Ballet New Building Campaign | $68,696 |
| Quad City Symphony Orchestra Davenport, IA | General Charitable Purposes | $50,177 |
| Marriage & Family Counseling Rock Island, IL | General Charitable Purposes | $50,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2025 filing reports three grants. The filing also states that securities investments were liquidated and remaining cash was contributed to charitable organizations.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | $68,739 | $173,633 | $168,873 | 3 | $168,873 | $68,739 | $2,538 |
| 2024 | $104,894 | $68,259 | $323,692 | $319,000 | 29 | $319,000 | $68,259 | $12,958 |
| 2023 | $360,327 | $19,956 | $125,763 | $106,000 | 24 | $106,000 | $9,479 | $21,760 |
| 2022 | $466,134 | $12,296 | $43,723 | $24,500 | 26 | $24,500 | $3,171 | $25,907 |
| 2021 | $497,561 | $52,645 | $36,625 | $25,000 | 27 | $25,000 | $46,489 | $27,642 |
| 2020 | $481,541 | $29,375 | $52,911 | $29,500 | 28 | — | $16,620 | $26,054 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Johnson-Watkins Family reported a distributable amount of $3K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for Ballet Quad Cities’ community ballet new-building campaign, as well as general charitable-purpose grants to the Quad City Symphony Orchestra and Marriage & Family Counseling. Ballet Quad Cities describes its mission as providing classical and contemporary dance through performances, lecture-demonstrations, and educational outreach for people of all ages.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave $168,873 through three grants. Grant amounts ranged from $50,000 to $68,696, with a median of $50,177. Recipients were Ballet Quad Cities ($68,696), the Quad City Symphony Orchestra ($50,177), and Marriage & Family Counseling ($50,000).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Carol A Watkins as president/director; Lauren B Watkins, Leslie A Watkins, and John P Watkins as vice-presidents/directors; and John A Slover Jr as assistant secretary.
The Johnson-Watkins Family is led by Carol A. Watkins, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Carol A. Watkins
President & Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
John P. Watkins
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Lauren B. Watkins
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Leslie A. Watkins
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
John A. Slover Jr.
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Johnson-Watkins Family
How much does The Johnson-Watkins Family give each year?
The Johnson-Watkins Family gave $169K across 3 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $319K across 29 grants.
What is The Johnson-Watkins Family's typical grant size?
The Johnson-Watkins Family's median grant in 2025 was $50,177, and its average grant was $56,291, across 3 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Johnson-Watkins Family give grants?
The Johnson-Watkins Family gives mostly in Illinois: 70% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Iowa (30%). The most frequent recipient cities were Rock Island, IL (2 grants).
Does The Johnson-Watkins Family give general operating support?
Yes: 67% of The Johnson-Watkins Family's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 3) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
What does The Johnson-Watkins Family fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for Ballet Quad Cities’ community ballet new-building campaign, as well as general charitable-purpose grants to the Quad City Symphony Orchestra and Marriage & Family Counseling. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Johnson-Watkins Family?
The foundation stated on its final filing that it does not accept unsolicited requests and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is The Johnson-Watkins Family required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, The Johnson-Watkins Family reported a distributable amount of $3K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Johnson-Watkins Family's EIN?
The Johnson-Watkins Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 37-1402441. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Johnson-Watkins Family 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
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 22, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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The Johnson-Watkins Family down — hundreds of funders to go?