The Waitt Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1993 and based in North Sioux City, South Dakota. Founded by Joan and Theodore "Ted" W. Waitt, the co-founder and former Chairman and CEO of Gateway, Inc., the foundation focuses on ocean conservation and marine sustainability. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and is a key player in global ocean protection efforts.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$9.9M
-3.1% YoY
Grant Count
42
+40.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$235K
-30.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Waitt Foundation's primary mission is to protect the ocean from the impacts of overfishing by facilitating the creation of marine protected areas, engaging stakeholders to improve management of fisheries, fostering sustainable solutions, and raising public awareness about ocean conservation challenges.
The foundation's ultimate goal is to achieve sustainable, resilient, and thriving seas that benefit all. Primary funding areas include:
- Ocean research and cutting-edge scientific expeditions
- Marine protected areas
- Sustainable fishing policy and practice
- Blue Prosperity initiatives
- Ocean conservation policy
- Innovative ocean science
Grantmaking
The Waitt Foundation provides funding through grants of varying sizes, along with technical assistance and strategic advice. Recent grant activity shows:
Grant Range
**: $35 to $6.2 million
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Waitt Foundation funds initiatives globally with particular emphasis on marine protected areas and sustainable fishing. The foundation partners with governments and communities around the world. The Waitt Institute, a key affiliated organization, has Blue Prosperity partnerships with the Azores, Barbuda, Bermuda, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, the Maldives, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu, and operates in seven countries.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2023:
- Total Assets: $136.3 million
- Total Expenses: $12.4 million
- Total Distributions: $12 million
- Investment Income and Dividends: $2 million
- Total Revenues: $1.08 million
The foundation maintains substantial assets and demonstrates consistent annual giving in the $9–$12 million range.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
204 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Waitt Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Waitt Institute ($7,141,280), Bren School of Environmental Science & Management (ucsb) ($692,444), Seasketch ($600,366).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ANCIENT AND EFFERVESCENT ORDER OF THE LITTLE YELLOW DOG SIOUX CITY, IA | GENERAL SUPPORT THROUGH EMPLOYEE MATCH PROGRAM | $1,000 |
| BARBUDANGO | OCEAN CONSERVATION | $30,000 |
| BERMUDA UNDERWATER EXPLORATION INSTITUTE BUEI | RAPID OCEAN CONSERVATION GRANT | $20,000 |
| CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION ARLINGTON, VA | OCEAN CONSERVATION | $153,377 |
| CRITTENTON CENTER SIOUX CITY, IA | GENERAL SUPPORT THROUGH EMPLOYEE MATCH PROGRAM | $1,500 |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS USA INC HAGERSTOWN, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT THROUGH EMPLOYEE MATCH PROGRAM | $500 |
| FOOD BANK OF SIOUXLAND SIOUX CITY, IA | GENERAL SUPPORT THROUGH EMPLOYEE MATCH PROGRAM | $1,800 |
| FOUNDATION OF LA JOLLA HIGH SCHOOL LA JOLLA, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT THROUGH EMPLOYEE MATCH PROGRAM | $35 |
| GLOBAL FISHING WATCH WASHINGTON, DC | OCEAN CONSERVATION | $200,000 |
| HOMEBOY INDUSTRIES LOS ANGELES, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT THROUGH EMPLOYEE MATCH PROGRAM | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board & Directors:
- Theodore W. Waitt – Chairman/Director
- Hailey Waitt – Director
- Max Waitt – Director
- Shane Hartnett – Director
- Dave Russell – Vice Chairman/Director
- David Stoos – Secretary
- Josh Sherer – Treasurer
Staff:
- Cherie Prothro-Shea – Managing Director
- Thomas Grueskin – Program Director
- Tamara Marshall – Operations Manager
- Shayna Brody – Media & Communications Director
The foundation employs eight staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| HAILEY WAITT | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| SHANE HARTNETT | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MAX WAITT | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| DAVID STOOS | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| JOSH SHERER | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| DAVE RUSSELL | VICE CHAIRMAN/DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| THEODORE W WAITT | CHAIRMAN/DIRECTOR | 6 | — |
| CHERIE PROTHRO-SHEA | MANAGING DIRECTOR | 40 | $214,966 |
Contact Information
- Website: www.waittfoundation.org
- Phone: 605-232-9929
- Address: PO Box 1397, North Sioux City, SD 57049-1397
- EIN: 46-0428166
- Tax-Exempt Status: Since March 1994
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Waitt Foundation fund?
The Waitt Foundation's primary mission is to protect the ocean from the impacts of overfishing by facilitating the creation of marine protected areas, engaging stakeholders to improve management of fisheries, fostering sustainable solutions, and raising public awareness about ocean conservation challenges. The foundation's ultimate goal is to achieve sustainable, resilient, and thriving seas that benefit all. Primary funding areas include: • Ocean research and cutting-edge scientific expeditions
How do I apply for a grant from Waitt Foundation?
The Waitt Foundation provides funding through grants of varying sizes, along with technical assistance and strategic advice. Recent grant activity shows: • **Grant Range**: $35 to $6.2 million • **Median Grant Size**: $1,300–$20,000 • **Total Grants Made (2023)**: 30 grants totaling approximately $12 million in distributions • **Recent Major Grant**: $6.2 million to the Waitt Institute for ocean conservation (2023) The foundation supports both large and small grants. Notable recent grants inclu…
Where does Waitt Foundation make grants?
The Waitt Foundation funds initiatives globally with particular emphasis on marine protected areas and sustainable fishing. The foundation partners with governments and communities around the world. The Waitt Institute, a key affiliated organization, has Blue Prosperity partnerships with the Azores, Barbuda, Bermuda, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, the Maldives, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu, and operates in seven countries.
What size grants does Waitt Foundation award?
In 2024, Waitt Foundation awarded 42 grants totaling $9.9M — an average of about $235K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Waitt Foundation's EIN?
Waitt Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-0428166. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Waitt Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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