The Willis Towers Watson Foundation
The Willis Towers Watson Foundation was a Nashville, Tennessee-based public charity that made charitable contributions to U.S.-based charities using funds raised through special events. Its 2020 IRS filing is marked as a final return, so the foundation appears to have wound down or stopped grantmaking.
Key facts about The Willis Towers Watson Foundation
In short: The Willis Towers Watson Foundation gave $675K across 21 grants in 2020 (avg $32K), top state New York. Source: 2020 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 27-2550500
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2020
- Annual giving (2020)
- $675,145
- Grants made (2020)
- 21
- Average grant
- $32,150
- Median grant
- $19,636
- Primary geography
- New York (33% of itemized 2020 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2020; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2020 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$675K
Grant Count
21
Avg Grant Size
$32K
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation stated that it sponsors fundraising events and makes charitable contributions to U.S.-based charities recommended by Willis associates. It reported that it did not provide program services, but instead made grants from funds raised through special events.
Its 2020 grants included organizations working in areas such as housing, support for military families, scholarships, homelessness, hunger relief, and legal representation for immigrant children. These are grantee-described missions: Habitat for Humanity says it seeks to eliminate poverty housing and make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action; the Charles Humphrey Keating IV Foundation describes its work as supporting active-duty Navy SEALs and their families; and Kids Chance of Wisconsin says it raises funds for student scholarships. UMOM New Day Centers describes its mission as ending family homelessness, while The Open Door says it works to end local hunger. Safe Passage Project says it provides free lawyers to immigrant children facing deportation.
Grantmaking
In 2020, the foundation made 21 grants totaling $675,145. Grant sizes ranged from $5,953 to $119,400, with a median grant of $19,636.
Among the largest grants were $119,400 to Habitat for Humanity in Americus, Georgia; $110,000 to Posse in New York, New York; $65,000 each to Fisher House, Gary Sinise Foundation, and American Vet Dogs; and $50,000 to Washington State University Foundation’s Granger Cobb Institute for Senior L. Other listed grants included $25,000 to the Charles Humphrey Keating IV Foundation and $20,000 each to Kids Chance of Wisconsin and Be The Match Foundation.
The foundation stated that it had no procedures to monitor the use of grant funds. It also stated that all 2020 grants went to 501(c)(3) organizations for their charitable purposes.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2020 grants went to organizations in multiple states. By share of grant dollars, New York received 33%, Georgia 18%, California 13%, Maryland 10%, and Washington 7%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2020 grant dollars across all 21 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2020 it made 21 grants totaling $675K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2020
The largest 2020 recipient was Habitat for Humanity ($119K). Together the top 10 received $564K.
Grant Size Distribution
21 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 15 grants of 21 (71%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity Americus, GA | Health & Human Services | $119,400 |
| Posse New York, NY | Health & Human Services | $110,000 |
| Fisher House Rockville, MD | Health & Human Services | $65,000 |
| Gary Sinise Foundation Woodland Hills, CA | Health & Human Services | $65,000 |
| American Vet Dogs St James, NY | Health & Human Services | $65,000 |
| Washington State University Foundation Granger Cobb Institute for Senior L Pullman, WA | Health & Human Services | $50,000 |
| Charles Humphrey Keating IV Foundation Coronado, CA | Health & Human Services | $25,000 |
| AGC Education & Research Foundation Arlington, VA | Health & Human Services | $25,000 |
| Kids Chance of Wisconsin Jackson, WI | Health & Human Services | $20,000 |
| Be the Match Foundation Minneapolis, MN | Health & Human Services | $20,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Expenses | Grants awarded | Number of grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $795,712 | $675,145 | 21 |
| Metric | 2020 |
|---|---|
| Expenses | $795,712 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 16, 2021)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal year 2020
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2020 filing listed Joe Gunn as president; Andrew Wasserman as vice president; Erin Adams as secretary; Darlene Oliver as treasurer; and Derrick Coggin and Barbara Trentham as assistant treasurers. Directors listed were Rene Wilson, Lance Emery, Mike Liss, and Carl Hess.
The Willis Towers Watson Foundation is led by Joe Gunn, President on the 2020 filing; none of the 10 officers listed in 2020 report compensation.
Officers on the 2020 filing
Joe Gunn
President
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carl Hess
Director
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lance Emery
Director
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Liss
Director
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rene Wilson
Director
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Wasserman
Vice President
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Trentham
Assistant Treasurer
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Darlene Oliver
Treasurer
New on the 2020 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Derrick Coggin
Assistant Treasurer
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erin Adams
Secretary
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 292287, Nashville, TN 37229
Phone: (615) 872-3000
Website: https://thewillisfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about The Willis Towers Watson Foundation
How much does The Willis Towers Watson Foundation give each year?
The Willis Towers Watson Foundation gave $675K across 21 grants in 2020, according to its 2020 IRS Form 990.
What is The Willis Towers Watson Foundation's typical grant size?
The Willis Towers Watson Foundation's median grant in 2020 was $19,636, and its average grant was $32,150, across 21 grants on its 2020 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Willis Towers Watson Foundation give grants?
The Willis Towers Watson Foundation's top state is New York, with 33% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2020 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Georgia (18%) and California (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (3 grants) and Chicago, IL (2 grants).
Does The Willis Towers Watson Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2020: none of the 21 grants with a stated purpose on The Willis Towers Watson Foundation's 2020 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Health & Human Services" (21 grants).
Who are The Willis Towers Watson Foundation's largest grantees?
The Willis Towers Watson Foundation's largest 2020 grantees include Habitat for Humanity ($119,400), Posse ($110,000) and Fisher House ($65,000), according to its 2020 IRS Form 990. Together they received 44% of its itemized 2020 grant dollars.
What does The Willis Towers Watson Foundation fund?
The foundation stated that it sponsors fundraising events and makes charitable contributions to U.S.-based charities recommended by Willis associates. It reported that it did not provide program services, but instead made grants from funds raised through special events. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Willis Towers Watson Foundation?
The Willis Towers Watson Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check thewillisfoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Willis Towers Watson Foundation's EIN?
The Willis Towers Watson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-2550500. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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