The McWaters Family Foundation
The McWaters Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Chesapeake, Virginia. It made 15 grants totaling $98,050 in 2024 to organizations in several states, including churches, a school, youth-serving organizations, and charitable organizations.
The McWaters Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The McWaters Family Foundation gave $98K across 15 grants in 2024 (avg $7K), mostly in Virginia. 47% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $98,050
- -58.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 15
- -16.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $6,537
- -49.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $520,254
- -12.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 47% first-time grantees (7 of 15, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Virginia (67% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The McWaters Family Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Submit an informal letter stating the purpose and need for the request. The filing lists no restrictions on awards.
- Review Cycle
- None listed.
- Deadline
- None listed.
- Contact
Application contact: Cynthia L Mcwaters Revocable Trust
Mailing address: 732 Eden Way North Suite E 713, Chesapeake, VA 23320
Phone: (757) 473-2706
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The McWaters Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Mosaic Church ($40K). Together the top 10 received $94K.
Grant Size Distribution
86 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 82 grants of 86 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 67% of grant dollars went to recipients in Virginia, 21% to Tennessee, 5% to North Carolina, 4% to Florida, and 2% to Missouri.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The McWaters Family Foundation open to new grantees?
47%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 7 of 15 grantees (47%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $3K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 47% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−16%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 353% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $98K (2024) to $234K (2023). In 2024 it made 15 grants totaling $98K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mosaic Church Virginia Beach, VA | Support Recipient's Tax-Exempt Program | $40,000 |
| Ducks Unlimited Memphis, TN | Support Recipient's Tax-Exempt Program | $16,000 |
| Norfolk Christian School Virginia Beach, VA | Support Recipient's Tax-Exempt Program | $7,100 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Virginia Virginia Beach, VA | Support Recipient's Tax Exempt Program | $5,000 |
| Recovery for Life Virginia Beach, VA | Support Recipient's Tax-Exempt Program | $5,000 |
| Rock the Ocean Foundation Nashville, TN | Support Recipient's Tax-Exempt Program | $5,000 |
| Samaritan's Purse Boone, NC | Support Recipient's Tax Exempt Program | $5,000 |
| Togo Network Virginia Beach, VA | Support Recipient's Tax-Exempt Program | $5,000 |
| Christ Central Church Labelle, FL | Support Recipient's Tax Exempt Program | $4,200 |
| Fellowship of Christian Athletes Kansas City, MO | Support Recipient's Tax-Exempt Program | $2,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The McWaters Family Foundation?
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 | $520,254 | $17,112 | $102,182 | $98,050 | 15 | $98,050 | $6,980 | $27,785 |
| 2023 | $595,509 | $7,940 | $239,386 | $233,700 | 18 | $236,700 | $15,019 | $35,221 |
| 2022 | $815,796 | $3,655 | $213,751 | $204,050 | 23 | $207,350 | $2,406 | $46,723 |
| 2021 | $1,024,242 | $47,138 | $123,750 | $116,450 | 16 | $119,450 | $38,512 | $54,449 |
| 2020 | $1,102,700 | $178,878 | $127,360 | $112,800 | 14 | — | $169,095 | $54,048 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The McWaters Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $28K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grantees included organizations with varied missions. For example, Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Virginia says its mission is to help young people reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Samaritan’s Purse describes its work as providing spiritual and physical aid to people facing hardship around the world, while Rock the Ocean Foundation says it works to raise awareness of ocean issues and support research, education, and conservation. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes says its mission is to lead coaches and athletes into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and his church. Crisis Pregnancy Center of Tidewater describes itself as a Christ-centered organization offering help, hope, and healing to women and families facing crisis-related pregnancies.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 15 grants totaling $98,050. Grants ranged from $250 to $40,000, with a median grant of $5,000. The largest awards included $40,000 to Mosaic Church, $16,000 to Ducks Unlimited, and $7,100 to Norfolk Christian School. Other listed awards included $5,000 each to Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Virginia, Recovery for Life, Rock the Ocean Foundation, Samaritan’s Purse, and Togo Network; $4,200 to Christ Central Church; $2,000 to Fellowship of Christian Athletes; and $1,000 each to Crisis Pregnancy Center of Tidewater and Trinity Church (1Died4All). The listed grant purposes were support of the recipients’ tax-exempt programs.
The foundation’s 2024 filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Requests are made by informal letter stating the purpose and need; the filing lists no award restrictions.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Jeffery L McWaters as president, Cynthia L McWaters as secretary/treasurer, and Megan Rathbone and Hunter McWaters as vice presidents.
The McWaters Family Foundation is led by Jeffery L. McWaters, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jeffery L. McWaters
President
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia L. McWaters
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hunter McWaters
Vice President
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Megan Rathbone
Vice President
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/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 The McWaters Family Foundation
How much does The McWaters Family Foundation give each year?
The McWaters Family Foundation gave $98K across 15 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $234K across 18 grants.
What is The McWaters Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The McWaters Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $6,537, across 15 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The McWaters Family Foundation that year got $10K on average.
Where does The McWaters Family Foundation give grants?
The McWaters Family Foundation gives mostly in Virginia: 67% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Tennessee (21%) and North Carolina (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Virginia Beach, VA (7 grants).
Who are The McWaters Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The McWaters Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Mosaic Church ($40,000), Ducks Unlimited ($16,000) and Norfolk Christian School ($7,100), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 64% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The McWaters Family Foundation?
The McWaters Family Foundation reported $520K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $98K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $28K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The McWaters Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grantees included organizations with varied missions. For example, Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Virginia says its mission is to help young people reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The McWaters Family Foundation?
Submit an informal letter stating the purpose and need for the request. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The McWaters Family Foundation's EIN?
The McWaters Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1053280. 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. 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
Live grants for the work The McWaters Family Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The McWaters Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Virginia
Hampton Roads Community Foundation
Norfolk, VA
The Hampton Roads Community Foundation funds nonprofit work across education, culture, the environment, human services, disaster relief, and other areas, primarily to improve life in southeastern Virginia. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,001 to $2,021,700, with a median of $25,000; it offers competitive grant programs, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$524.1M
Grants
329
Total Given
$31.1M
Greater Houston Community Foundation
Houston, TX
The Foundation makes grants through donor-advised and other donor-established funds for public benefit, human services, education, and health, including initiatives addressing economic mobility and poverty in Harris County. In 2024, its median grant was $25,000; it serves Greater Houston, while grants also go to recipients elsewhere in Texas and beyond. It does not accept proposals for the upcoming High-Impact Grantmaking cycle and plans to invite selected organizations or collaboratives to apply.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,724
Total Given
$232.3M
Christian Community Foundation Inc
Colorado Springs, CO
WaterStone supports domestic and international nonprofits, including Christian ministries and charitable and educational organizations, through donor-directed grants; eligible organizations must be IRS-recognized 501(c)(3)s whose mission aligns with its Statement of Faith. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,000, with awards ranging from $5,028 to $11 million, and were concentrated in Texas and Colorado. Grant recommendations come from donor-advised fund holders; the profile does not state that it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$746.4M
Grants
1,651
Total Given
$161.8M
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Lansdowne, VA
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation funds education programs that help exceptionally promising students with financial need, including college access, academic enrichment, and support for talented students. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6 to $515,000, with a median of $7,702; it funds across the United States, with most grant dollars going to Virginia. It does not restrict giving to preselected organizations and directs applicants to its website for current application instructions and eligibility.
Assets
$940.1M
Grants
1,419
Total Given
$25.1M
Donors Trust Inc
Alexandria, VA
Donors Trust supports charities and programs in social welfare, health, the environment, economics, governance, foreign relations, and arts and culture, with a strong emphasis on conservative and libertarian policy and education groups. Its 2024 grants had a median of $50,000, though awards ranged from $5,038 to $35 million, and recipients were concentrated in Washington, D.C., Virginia, New York, Texas, and California. It does not accept unsolicited requests; donor-advisors recommend grants through their accounts.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
919
Total Given
$282.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in Virginia
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The McWaters Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-mcwaters-family-foundation-morg_7a6613d5acea480d83e04db32e8e875e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_201053280_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The McWaters Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-mcwaters-family-foundation-morg_7a6613d5acea480d83e04db32e8e875e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. 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 McWaters Family 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.
The McWaters Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?