The Watterson Foundation
The Watterson Foundation is a private foundation based in Charlottesville, Virginia. Its 2024 filing is marked as the organization’s final return, so it appears to have wound down or stopped grantmaking.
The Watterson Foundation at a glance
In short: The Watterson Foundation gave $1.5M across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $245K), mostly in Virginia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,470,000
- +1028.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- -14.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $245,000
- +1216.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $260,000
- Primary geography
- Virginia (76% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to The Watterson Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The 2024 filing stated that applications must be in writing and that applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations, not individuals. It also stated that giving was not restricted to preselected organizations. These instructions appear on the foundation’s final return and should not be treated as current application guidance.
- Review Cycle
- The 2024 filing listed no deadline.
- Deadline
- The 2024 filing listed no deadline.
- Contact
Application contact: The Watterson Foundation
Mailing address: 1844 Westview Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Phone: (434) 760-2803
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Watterson Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Hospice of the Piedmont ($350K). Together the top 6 received $1.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
118 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 111 grants of 118 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 76% of grant dollars went to recipients in Virginia and 24% to recipients in Ohio. The listed grants show support for organizations in Charlottesville and Verona, Virginia, and Cleveland, Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Watterson Foundation gives
- Giving grew 2763% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 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 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $49K (2019) to $1.5M (2024). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $1.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hospice of the Piedmont Charlottesville, VA | General Purposes of Donee | $350,000 |
| Weatherhead School of Management Cleveland, OH | General Purposes of the Donee | $350,000 |
| Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA Charlottesville, VA | General Purposes of the Donne | $270,000 |
| The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Verona, VA | General Purposes of the Donee | $250,000 |
| Christ Episcopal Church Charlottesville, VA | General Purposes of the Donee | $150,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity of Charlottesv Charlottesville, VA | General Purposes of the Donee | $100,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | — | $1,133,640 | $1,480,847 | $1,470,000 | 6 | $1,470,000 | $1,133,640 | $18,126 |
| 2023 | $400,699 | $130,879 | $130,266 | $130,250 | 7 | $130,250 | $130,863 | $63,550 |
| 2022 | $400,086 | $49,257 | $54,641 | $53,100 | 39 | $53,100 | $49,221 | $59,307 |
| 2021 | $405,280 | $49,728 | $52,845 | $51,350 | 34 | $51,350 | $49,685 | $51,876 |
| 2020 | $408,265 | $45,966 | $51,811 | $50,123 | 32 | — | $45,966 | $44,210 |
| 2019 | $412,110 | $41,164 | $50,996 | $49,050 | 34 | — | $41,164 | $45,117 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Watterson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $18K 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 grants went to organizations working in areas including hospice care, community history, food assistance, church programs, animal welfare, housing, and management education. For example, Hospice of the Piedmont describes its mission as guiding life’s final journey with expertise and empathy. Albemarle Charlottesville says it collects, preserves, and interprets local history to inform and bring people together. Christ Episcopal Church Endowment says it provides funds to further congregants’ spiritual growth and support the church’s mission and charitable programs.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported six grants totaling $1,470,000. Grant amounts ranged from $100,000 to $350,000, with a median of $260,000. Recipients included Hospice of the Piedmont ($350,000), Weatherhead School of Management ($350,000), Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA ($270,000), the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank ($250,000), Christ Episcopal Church ($150,000), and Habitat for Humanity of Charlottesville ($100,000). The stated purposes were general purposes of the respective donees.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing listed Martha S. Watterson as Secretary, Stuart G. Watterson as President, Wayt Timberlake as Treasurer, and Yvonne Watterson as a Board Member.
The Watterson Foundation is led by Stuart G. Watterson, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Stuart G. Watterson
President
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Martha S. Watterson
Secretary
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wayt Timberlake
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Yvonne Watterson
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: John S. Watterson III (2019–2022) — Vice President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 Watterson Foundation
How much does The Watterson Foundation give each year?
The Watterson Foundation gave $1.5M across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $130K across 7 grants.
What is The Watterson Foundation's typical grant size?
The Watterson Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $260,000, and its average grant was $245,000, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Watterson Foundation give grants?
The Watterson Foundation gives mostly in Virginia: 76% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Ohio (24%). The most frequent recipient cities were Charlottesville, VA (4 grants).
Does The Watterson Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Watterson Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Watterson Foundation's largest grantees?
The Watterson Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Hospice of the Piedmont ($350,000), Weatherhead School of Management ($350,000) and Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA ($270,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 66% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
What does The Watterson Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations working in areas including hospice care, community history, food assistance, church programs, animal welfare, housing, and management education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Watterson Foundation?
The 2024 filing stated that applications must be in writing and that applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations, not individuals. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is The Watterson Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Watterson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $18K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Watterson Foundation's EIN?
The Watterson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-6520026. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 13, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 7, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 29, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Watterson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from The Watterson 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.
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