The Watson Foundation
The Watson Foundation is a private foundation, based in San Antonio, TX. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $355 in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 4 grants totaling $1K.
The Watson Foundation at a glance
In short: The Watson Foundation gave $1K across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $312.5), mostly in Texas. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,250
- -80.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $313
- -80.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $325
- Total assets
- $355
- -57.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Texas (80% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Watson Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Club Giraud - Utsa ($500). Together the top 4 received $1K.
Grant Size Distribution
22 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 22 grants of 22 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Watson Foundation gives
- Giving fell 89% 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 $1K (2025) to $16K (2023). In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $1K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Club Giraud - Utsa San Antonio, TX | charitable | $500 |
| UT Health Science Center San Antonio, TX | Charitable | $400 |
| Birth Line of San Diego San Diego, CA | Charitable | $250 |
| Christus Children's Hospital San Antonio, TX | Charitable | $100 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $355 | $3,700 | $4,180 | $1,250 | 4 | $4,180 | $35 |
| 2024 | $835 | $9,100 | $9,410 | $6,450 | 4 | $9,410 | $26 |
| 2023 | $1,145 | $18,500 | $18,360 | $15,650 | 8 | $18,360 | $67 |
| 2022 | $1,005 | $10,500 | $13,650 | $11,000 | 1 | $13,650 | $77 |
| 2021 | $4,155 | $17,000 | $14,755 | $12,150 | 5 | — | $198 |
| 2020 | $1,910 | $7,000 | $8,350 | $5,700 | 6 | — | $91 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Watson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $35 for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Watson Foundation is led by Mark E. Watson Jr., President & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mark E. Watson Jr.
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Hamman
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
shannon peifer
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Courtney B Watson
Member
New on the 2025 filing
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 Watson Foundation
How much does The Watson Foundation give each year?
The Watson Foundation gave $1K across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $6K across 4 grants.
What is The Watson Foundation's typical grant size?
The Watson Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $325, and its average grant was $313, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Watson Foundation give grants?
The Watson Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 80% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (20%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Antonio, TX (3 grants).
Does The Watson Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on The Watson Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (4 grants).
How large is The Watson Foundation?
The Watson Foundation reported $355 in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $35 (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Watson Foundation's EIN?
The Watson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-2825092. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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 August 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Watson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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