Waters Charitable Foundation
Waters Charitable Foundation is a private foundation based in Jenks, Oklahoma. Its 2025 grants supported organizations working in education, social services, food assistance, health and medical research, and other areas.
Waters Charitable Foundation at a glance
In short: Waters Charitable Foundation gave $620K across 20 grants in 2025 (avg $31K), mostly in Oklahoma. 15% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $620,000
- -0.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 20
- -39.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $31,000
- +63.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $38,818,854
- +248.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (3 of 20, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Oklahoma (81% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Waters Charitable Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 2001, Jenks, OK 74037
Phone: (918) 488-0311
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Waters Charitable Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Holland Hall ($200K). Together the top 10 received $510K.
Grant Size Distribution
154 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 137 grants of 154 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 81% of grant dollars went to Oklahoma recipients. The remaining reported shares went to Florida (8%), Washington, D.C. (5%), Illinois (4%), and Texas (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 20 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Waters Charitable Foundation open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 20 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. With only 20 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $34K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 85% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−1%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 49% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $562K (2021) to $661K (2023). In 2025 it made 20 grants totaling $620K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Holland Hall Tulsa, OK | Annual Education Fund | $200,000 |
| Northeastern State University Tahlequah, OK | Student Scholarships | $55,000 |
| Sarasota Memorial Heathcare Foundation Sarasota, FL | Cardiac Medical Research | $50,000 |
| The Salvation Army Tulsa, OK | Operations Fund for Social Services | $50,000 |
| Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma Inc Tulsa, OK | Meals to Those in Need for Eastern Oklahoma | $35,000 |
| American Red Cross Washington, DC | Operations Fund for Social Services | $30,000 |
| Alzheimer's Disease & Related Disorders Association Inc Chicago, IL | Medical Research | $25,000 |
| Univerity of Oklahoma Foundation Inc Norman, OK | Operations Fund for Library | $25,000 |
| US Conference of Catholic Bishops DBA Catholic Charities of Eastern Okla Tulsa, OK | Operations Fund for Social Services | $25,000 |
| Clarehouse Inc Tulsa, OK | Funding End-of-Life Care | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Waters Charitable Foundation?
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 | $38,818,854 | $28,545,866 | $857,521 | $620,000 | 20 | $719,152 | $2,055,820 | $1,480,297 |
| 2024 | $11,130,509 | $1,422,455 | $847,188 | $624,470 | 33 | $722,547 | $441,692 | $733,365 |
| 2023 | $10,555,242 | $38,183 | $856,751 | $661,000 | 35 | $748,228 | $406,430 | $689,936 |
| 2022 | $11,373,810 | $528,729 | $837,527 | $624,000 | 33 | $711,471 | $402,673 | $747,836 |
| 2021 | $11,682,608 | $1,101,943 | $747,280 | $562,000 | 33 | — | $995,145 | $702,804 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Waters Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.5M for 2025 — 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 grants show support for education and scholarships, social services and basic needs, medical research, end-of-life care, and animal and wildlife organizations.
The supported organizations describe their own work in varied ways. For example, John 316 Mission says it works to restore hope for homeless and at-risk people; Emergency Infant Services says it provides supplies such as formula, food, and diapers to children and babies whose families are in financial crisis. Clarehouse describes providing support to guests and families at the end of life, while Domestic Violence Intervention Services describes prevention and intervention services addressing domestic and sexual violence, human trafficking, and stalking. Iron Gate says it feeds hungry and homeless people in Tulsa, and Animal Aid of Tulsa describes rescuing and rehoming companion animals.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 20 grants totaling $620,000. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $200,000, with a median grant of $15,000.
Among the largest reported grants were $200,000 to Holland Hall for its annual education fund; $55,000 to Northeastern State University for student scholarships; and $50,000 each to Sarasota Memorial Heathcare Foundation for cardiac medical research and The Salvation Army for its social services operations fund. Other grants included $35,000 to Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma for meals for people in need, and $30,000 to the American Red Cross for its social services operations fund. Tulsa-area recipients included Clarehouse, Domestic Violence Intervention Services, and Emergency Infant Services, each receiving $15,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists P Jonathan Adamson, Robin Wyatt, and E Andrew Johnson as trustees.
Waters Charitable Foundation's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
P. Jonathan Adamson
Trustee
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
$21K (2025)
Robin Wyatt
Trustee
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
$21K (2025)
E. Andrew Johnson
Trustee
On filings since 2024
10 hrs/week
$21K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Judy Waters (2021–2024) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $21K, to P Jonathan Adamson (Trustee). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Waters Charitable Foundation
How much does Waters Charitable Foundation give each year?
Waters Charitable Foundation gave $620K across 20 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $624K across 33 grants.
What is Waters Charitable Foundation's typical grant size?
Waters Charitable Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $31,000, across 20 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Waters Charitable Foundation that year got $12K on average.
Where does Waters Charitable Foundation give grants?
Waters Charitable Foundation gives mostly in Oklahoma: 81% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Florida (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Tulsa, OK (14 grants).
Does Waters Charitable Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 20 grants with a stated purpose on Waters Charitable Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Operations Fund for Social Services" (5 grants).
Who are Waters Charitable Foundation's largest grantees?
Waters Charitable Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Holland Hall ($200,000), Northeastern State University ($55,000) and Sarasota Memorial Heathcare Foundation ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 49% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Waters Charitable Foundation?
Waters Charitable Foundation reported $38.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $719K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Waters Charitable Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants show support for education and scholarships, social services and basic needs, medical research, end-of-life care, and animal and wildlife organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Waters Charitable Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Waters Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Waters Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 73-1323325. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Waters Charitable Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Other open foundation grants in Oklahoma
Oklahoma Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Waters Charitable Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation
Tulsa, OK
The foundation supports nonprofits addressing poverty through housing, shelter, basic needs, social services, health and mental healthcare, and community empowerment, along with education, Jewish life, culture, and racial-justice initiatives. It funds primarily in metropolitan Tulsa, with additional support across Oklahoma and in Israel; 2024 grants ranged from $200 to $2.2 million, with a median of about $24,000. It accepts unsolicited requests: eligible nonprofits can email an initial inquiry.
Assets
$281.0M
Grants
476
Total Given
$37.3M
The Hardesty Family Foundation Inc
Tulsa, OK
The Hardesty Family Foundation supports Oklahoma 501(c)(3) nonprofits in areas including arts, animal welfare, workforce development, mental health, recreation, and addiction recovery, with an emphasis on capital projects and needs in the Tulsa area. In 2025, grants ranged from $250 to $1.26 million, with a median of $15,000. It accepts applications by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$149.8M
Grants
128
Total Given
$6.8M
Tulsa Community Foundation
Tulsa, OK
Tulsa Community Foundation supports charitable causes through donor-advised grants and selected funds, including scholarships, emergency assistance, disaster relief, arts and humanities, healthcare, and financial literacy, primarily in the Tulsa metro area and eastern Oklahoma, with some giving elsewhere in the United States. Its 2024 median grant was $18,560; selected field-of-interest funds have application cycles, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,066
Total Given
$158.6M
The Gelvin Foundation
Eufaula, OK
The Gelvin Foundation funds Oklahoma nonprofits in family and community services, health care, education, and arts, especially projects benefiting people within 30 miles of Tulsa or Eufaula. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,500 to $15,000, with a median of $5,000; it does not accept unsolicited requests, but first-time applicants may send a letter of inquiry.
Assets
$9.2M
Grants
76
Total Given
$431K
Oneok Foundation Inc
Tulsa, OK
ONEOK Foundation supports community programs and projects, including arts, education, health, environmental, safety, and local-impact initiatives, in areas where ONEOK operates and its employees live and work. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $4,900, though awards ranged from $459 to $500,000. It accepts unsolicited requests through its online portal for specific programs, projects, or campaigns.
Assets
$28.3M
Grants
204
Total Given
$3.7M
Arvest Foundation
Bentonville, AR
Arvest Foundation funds economic development, community programs, arts, nonprofit capacity, scholarships, and construction projects, primarily in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. In 2024, grants ranged from $1,000 to $75,000, with a median of $5,000. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$21.0M
Grants
562
Total Given
$4.3M
More similar funders
More Funders in Oklahoma
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Waters Charitable Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/waters-charitable-foundation-morg_ff5663010a0e48bf9a5386f2f6124bf8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_731323325_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Waters Charitable Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/waters-charitable-foundation-morg_ff5663010a0e48bf9a5386f2f6124bf8},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
} The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Waters Charitable 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.
Waters Charitable Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?