Thomas S Watson Supporting Foundation
The corporation intends to display or arrange for the display of golf-related and other memorabilia of thomas s. Watson to members of the general public to further the general public's knowledge and understanding of the life and career of thomas s. Watson and the history of golf in general and to support such qualified organizations dedicated to providing young individuals of all backgrounds an opportunity to experience the joy, pleasure and satisfaction the game of golf can provide. The current publicly supported organization listed in the governing document is the watson links mentors foundation.
Thomas S Watson Supporting Foundation at a glance
In short: Thomas S Watson Supporting Foundation gave $540K across 2 grants in 2025 (avg $270K), mostly in Kansas. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $539,500
- +77.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 2
- +100.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $269,750
- -11.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $269,750
- Total assets
- $5,800,973
- -6.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Kansas (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Thomas S Watson Supporting Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Watson Youth Golf Foundation ($362K). Together the top 2 received $540K.
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 2 grants of 5 (40%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
Cities
How Thomas S Watson Supporting Foundation gives
- Giving grew 671% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 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 $70K (2022) to $540K (2025). In 2025 it made 2 grants totaling $540K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Watson Youth Golf Foundation Overland Park, KS | Fomerly a public charity, turned private foundation in 2025. Expenditure responsibility exercised in accordance with irc 4945(h). Financial support for the watson youth golf foundation which in turn contributed all funds to the watson links mentors foundation. | $362,000 |
| Watson Links Mentors Foundation Overland Park, KS | Financial Support for the Watson Links Mentors Foundation | $177,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,800,973 | $257,514 | $610,049 | $539,500 | 2 | $257,514 |
| 2024 | $6,198,936 | $700,059 | $401,507 | $304,500 | 1 | $89,855 |
| 2023 | $5,877,741 | $7,685 | $234,503 | $176,300 | 1 | $-7,315 |
| 2022 | $5,953,298 | $164,944 | $187,659 | $70,000 | 1 | $74,944 |
| 2021 | $6,196,963 | $726,860 | $32,523 | — | — | $58,860 |
| 2020 | $5,362,977 | $25,927 | $137,956 | $100,000 | 2 | $20,927 |
About Thomas S Watson Supporting Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Thomas S Watson Supporting Foundation is a public charity focused on Recreation & Sports, based in Overland Park, KS. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $5.8M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 2 grants totaling $540K. Net investment income was $258K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Thomas S Watson Supporting Foundation is led by Gary D. Gilson, President & Secretary since 2023 (on filings since 2020); none of the 9 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Gary D. Gilson
President & Secretary
Director → President & Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas S. Watson
Chairman
Director → Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Flanders
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark R. Allen
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Meg Watson Carr
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael B. Watson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andy Fisher
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael R. Thiessen
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janet Barner
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Frank H. Kirk (2020–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: David C. Wysong (2020) — Director
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 Thomas S Watson Supporting Foundation
How much does Thomas S Watson Supporting Foundation give each year?
Thomas S Watson Supporting Foundation gave $540K across 2 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $305K across 1 grant.
How large is Thomas S Watson Supporting Foundation?
Thomas S Watson Supporting Foundation reported $5.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $258K.
What is Thomas S Watson Supporting Foundation?
Thomas S Watson Supporting Foundation is a public charity focused on Recreation & Sports, based in Overland Park, KS. It holds $5.8M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Thomas S Watson Supporting Foundation operate?
Thomas S Watson Supporting Foundation has awarded grants in Kansas, Missouri.
What is Thomas S Watson Supporting Foundation's EIN?
Thomas S Watson Supporting Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3982761. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 9, 2021)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 18, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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