Watkins Christian Foundation Inc
WATKINS CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION INC is a private foundation based in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2024, it made 45 grants totaling $4,000,000 to charitable organizations, including schools, churches, and ministries.
Key facts about Watkins Christian Foundation Inc
In short: Watkins Christian Foundation Inc gave $4.0M across 45 grants in 2024 (avg $89K), top state Georgia. 38% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 58-1494832
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,000,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 45
- Average grant
- $88,889
- Median grant
- $50,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 38% first-time grantees (17 of 45, 2024)
- Total assets
- $102,325,216
- Primary geography
- Georgia (49% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$102.3M
+9.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.0M
-4.2% YoY
Grant Count
45
-31.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$89K
+40.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Watkins Christian Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $4.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Watkins Christian Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
38%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 17 of 45 grantees (38%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $76K; repeat grants $97K. How we count
Medians: $38K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 60% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+18%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 101% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for Christian education and organizations providing religious, youth, and community services. For example, HOPE ACADEMY INC describes its work as operating a K–12 school in urban Minneapolis that provides a classical Christian education. BROOKWOOD SCHOOL INC says it provides a college-preparatory education and develops students academically, physically, spiritually, and socially.
Other supported organizations describe a range of services: CITY OF REFUGE says it offers life-saving resources and life-building tools to people living on the margins in Atlanta; PARKER STREET MINISTRIES INC describes its work as Christ-centered community restoration in Lakeland; and YOUNG LIFE describes a ministry that introduces adolescents to Jesus Christ through activities including weekly meetings, Bible studies, camps, and missions.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 45 grants totaling $4,000,000. Grant amounts ranged from $7,500 to $550,000, with a median grant of $50,000. The largest listed awards included $550,000 to JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL OF TAMPA for a capital campaign and financial aid for students in need; $400,000 each to CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY for a building renovation and expansion campaign and to HOPE ACADEMY for expansion; and $325,000 to THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF LAKELAND INC for year-round programming for children, youth, and neighborhood ministries.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars went primarily to organizations in Georgia (49%) and Florida (36%), followed by Minnesota (10%), Tennessee (3%), and South Carolina (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 45 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
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
312 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL OF TAMPA FL Tampa, FL | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN & FINANCIAL AID NEEDY STUDENTS | $550,000 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Peachtree Corners, GA | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR BUILDING RENOVATION AND EXPANSION. | $400,000 |
| HOPE ACADEMY Minneapolis, MN | HOPE ACADEMY EXPANSION | $400,000 |
| THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF LAKELAND INC Lakeland, FL | TO SUPPORT YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMMING FOR THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND NEIGHBORHOOD MINISTRIES THAT PRIMARILY FOCUS ON PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR YOUTH TO ATTEND THE WARREN W. WILLIS UNITED METHODIST YOUTH CAMPS. | $325,000 |
| BROOKWOOD SCHOOL INC Thomasville, GA | ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR DINING HALL PROJECT | $200,000 |
| PALMA CEIA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Tampa, FL | TO SUPPORT THE BETHLEHEM INCLUSIVE AND DIGITAL ACCESS MINISTRIES | $150,000 |
| VASHTI CENTER INC Thomasville, GA | CHAPLAIN/BISHOP HALL ROOF | $130,000 |
| CITY OF REFUGE INC Atlanta, GA | CITY SCHOOL EXPANSION | $100,000 |
| GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Norcross, GA | TO SUPPORT THE QUIET PHASE OF THE LIGHT THE WAY CAMPAIGN | $100,000 |
| METCALFE INDEPENDENT CHURCH 229 Thomasville, GA | FINAL SUPPORT FOR THE CASH RESERVE FUND FOR THE ONGOING CHURCH MAINTENANCE PROJECTS. | $100,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $102,325,216 | $14,556,759 | $5,343,046 | $4,000,000 | 45 |
| 2023 | $93,197,741 | $11,631,009 | $8,587,323 | $4,175,655 | 66 |
| 2022 | $79,364,737 | $12,779,054 | $4,996,539 | $3,863,155 | 65 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $102,325,216 | $93,197,741 | $79,364,737 |
| Revenue | $14,556,759 | $11,631,009 | $12,779,054 |
| Expenses | $5,343,046 | $8,587,323 | $4,996,539 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,834,658 | $4,940,618 | $4,443,370 |
| Net Investment Income | $9,753,195 | $3,176,029 | $10,022,018 |
| Distributable Amount | $4,795,394 | $4,329,194 | $4,183,525 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists George C. Watkins as chairman; Michael L. Watkins as president; W. Neal Freeman, Eric S. Wahlen, Sarah Watkins, and William B. Watkins V as directors; Rozita La Gorce as executive director; and Jeremy Bagley as secretary and treasurer.
Watkins Christian Foundation Inc is led by Michael L. Watkins, President since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 8 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michael L. Watkins
President
Trustee & President → Director & President, 2021
Director & President → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
$140K (2020) → $66K (2024)
Rozita La Gorce
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$294K (2023) → $261K (2024)
George C. Watkins
Chairman
Trustee & Chairman → Director & Chairman, 2021
Director & Chairman → Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric S. Wahlen
Director
Vice President & Trustee → Vp* & Director, 2021
Vp* & Director → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Watkins
Director
Trustee → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
W. Neal Freeman
Director
Trustee → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William B. Watkins V
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeremy Bagley
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2023
10 hrs/week
$4K (2023) → $11K (2024)
Former officers (7)
- Former: Jonathan Winn (2021–2023) — Secretary & Treasurer
- Former: Danielle Clark (2020–2021) — Assistant Secretary
- Former: Lee S Freeman (2020–2021) — Vice President
- Former: Timothy L Hall (2020–2021) — Secretary & Treasurer
- Former: John C Watkins (2020) — Trustee
- Former: John D Maggard (2020) — CFO
- Former: Kimberly Watkins (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
Contact
Mailing address: 3715 Northside Pkwy Nw Suite 3-500, Atlanta, GA 30327
Phone: (404) 872-8359
Frequently asked questions about Watkins Christian Foundation Inc
How much does Watkins Christian Foundation Inc give each year?
Watkins Christian Foundation Inc gave $4.0M across 45 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.2M across 66 grants.
What is Watkins Christian Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Watkins Christian Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $88,889, across 45 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Watkins Christian Foundation Inc that year got $76K on average.
Where does Watkins Christian Foundation Inc give grants?
Watkins Christian Foundation Inc's top state is Georgia, with 49% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Florida (36%) and Minnesota (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Lakeland, FL (5 grants), Thomasville, GA (5 grants), Tampa, FL (3 grants) and Atlanta, GA (3 grants).
Does Watkins Christian Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 49% of Watkins Christian Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (22 of 45) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Watkins Christian Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Watkins Christian Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Jesuit High School of Tampa FL ($550,000), Cornerstone Christian Academy ($400,000) and Hope Academy ($400,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 34% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Watkins Christian Foundation Inc?
Watkins Christian Foundation Inc reported $102.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Watkins Christian Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for Christian education and organizations providing religious, youth, and community services. For example, HOPE ACADEMY INC describes its work as operating a K–12 school in urban Minneapolis that provides a classical Christian education. BROOKWOOD SCHOOL INC says it provides a college-preparatory education and develops students academically, physically, spiritually, and socially. Other supported organizations desc…
How do I apply for a grant from Watkins Christian Foundation Inc?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Watkins Christian Foundation Inc's EIN?
Watkins Christian Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-1494832. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Watkins Christian Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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