Waterman Foundation
Waterman Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Costa Mesa, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2018 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $2.0M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $355K. Net investment income was $13K.
Waterman Foundation at a glance
In short: Waterman Foundation gave $355K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $355K). Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $354,851
- +2531.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $354,851
- +2531.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $354,851
- Total assets
- $1,997,019
- +2048.7% vs 2024
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Waterman Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Colores De Abundancia ($355K).
Grant Size Distribution
2 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1 grant of 2 (50%).
How Waterman Foundation gives
- 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 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $13K (2024) to $355K (2025). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $355K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Colores De Abundancia | The grants are used solely for permissible charitable purposes and specifically for the following purposes: preservation of artistic cultural forms, education, cultural advancement, and targeting communities whose traditions are in danger of disappearing, and who are socially vulnerable. Grantee shall use the grant solely for these purposes. This grant was made under the expenditure responsibility requirements of section 4945(h). | $354,851 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,997,019 | $2,424,840 | $520,764 | $354,851 | 1 | $520,764 | $12,564 | $26,586 |
| 2024 | $92,942 | $160,000 | $103,238 | $13,483 | 1 | $103,238 | — | $2,588 |
| 2019 | $89,182 | $122,316 | $120,636 | — | — | — | $1 | $3,745 |
| 2018 | $87,502 | $129,635 | $153,258 | — | — | — | — | $223 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Waterman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $27K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Waterman Foundation is led by Benjamin Waterman, CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2018); 1 of 3 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Benjamin Waterman
CEO
Vice President → CEO, 2024
On filings since 2018
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marilyn Holt
CFO & Secretary
On filings since 2024
20 hrs/week
$47K (2024) → $49K (2025)
Robert Waterman Dod
Former President
New on the 2025 filing
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Robert Waterman D. (2024) — Former President
- Former: Robert Waterman (2018–2019) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2018–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $49K, to Marilyn Holt (CFO and Secretary).
Frequently asked questions about Waterman Foundation
How much does Waterman Foundation give each year?
Waterman Foundation gave $355K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $13K across 1 grant.
How large is Waterman Foundation?
Waterman Foundation reported $2.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $521K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $27K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Waterman Foundation?
Waterman Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Costa Mesa, CA. It holds $2.0M in total assets as of 2025.
What is Waterman Foundation's EIN?
Waterman Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 90-0592256. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2018–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2018 (received by the IRS April 12, 2019)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 31, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 1, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal year 2024
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