The Watson Foundation Inc
The Watson Foundation Inc is a private foundation, based in Oak Ridge, TN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2022. As of 2022, the organization holds $1.0M in total assets. In 2022, it awarded 5 grants totaling $59K. Net investment income was $29K.
The Watson Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Watson Foundation Inc gave $59K across 5 grants in 2022 (avg $12K), top state Florida. Source: 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2022)
- $59,000
- -18.1% vs 2021
- Grants made (2022)
- 5
- -16.7% vs 2021
- Average grant
- $11,800
- -1.7% vs 2021
- Median grant
- $12,000
- Total assets
- $1,027,455
- -1.9% vs 2021
- Primary geography
- Florida (25% of itemized 2022 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2022 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2022; updated September 2026.
Who The Watson Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2022
The largest 2022 recipient was Food for the Poor ($15K). Together the top 5 received $59K.
Grant Size Distribution
19 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 19 grants of 19 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2022 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Watson Foundation Inc gives
- In 2022 it paid out 88% 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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2022, annual grant giving ranged from $59K (2022) to $72K (2021). In 2022 it made 5 grants totaling $59K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Food for the Poor Coconut Creek, FL | Annual Budget | $15,000 |
| World Vision Federal Way, WA | Where Needed | $15,000 |
| The Salvation Army West Nyack, NY | Annual Budget | $12,000 |
| University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN | Scholarships | $12,000 |
| Heifer International Little Rock, AR | Annual Budget | $5,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $1,027,455 | $31,700 | $59,300 | $59,000 | 5 | $59,000 | $29,400 | $66,941 |
| 2021 | $1,047,685 | $25,202 | $94,300 | $72,000 | 6 | $72,000 | $22,902 | $70,550 |
| 2020 | $1,116,783 | $961,343 | $72,527 | $72,000 | 8 | — | $959,043 | $53,959 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Watson Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $67K for 2022 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Watson Foundation Inc is led by Samuel A. Watson, President-Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2022 report compensation.
Officers on the 2022 filing
Samuel A. Watson
President-Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Margery G. Watson
Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2022. "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 Watson Foundation Inc
How much does The Watson Foundation Inc give each year?
The Watson Foundation Inc gave $59K across 5 grants in 2022, according to its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2021 it gave $72K across 6 grants.
What is The Watson Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Watson Foundation Inc's median grant in 2022 was $12,000, and its average grant was $11,800, across 5 grants on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Watson Foundation Inc give grants?
The Watson Foundation Inc's top state is Florida, with 25% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Washington (25%) and New York (20%).
Does The Watson Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2022: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on The Watson Foundation Inc's 2022 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Annual Budget" (3 grants).
Who are The Watson Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Watson Foundation Inc's largest 2022 grantees include Food for the Poor ($15,000), World Vision ($15,000) and The Salvation Army ($12,000), according to its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 71% of its itemized 2022 grant dollars.
How large is The Watson Foundation Inc?
The Watson Foundation Inc reported $1.0M in total assets on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $59K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $67K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is The Watson Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Watson Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-6045681. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2022.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2022
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Figures come from The Watson Foundation Inc'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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