Watson-Brown Foundation Inc logo

Watson-Brown Foundation Inc

Private foundation · Grantmaker Thomson, GA EIN: 23-7097393 Website
Arts and cultureHumanitiesHistoryLiterature and writingHistorical activities

Watson-Brown Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Thomson, Georgia. It supports education in the American South through scholarships, grants for Southern studies and related programming, and historic preservation.

Watson-Brown Foundation Inc at a glance

In short: Watson-Brown Foundation Inc gave $5.2M across 153 grants in 2024 (avg $34K), mostly in South Carolina. 9% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2024)
$5,205,207
+1.2% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
153
-4.4% vs 2023
Average grant
$34,021
+5.8% vs 2023
Median grant
$6,000
Total assets
$143,378,737
+3.9% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
9% first-time grantees (12 of 138, 2024)
Primary geography
South Carolina (50% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to Watson-Brown Foundation Inc

How to Apply

Submit a letter of inquiry by mail or email as described in the Foundation’s guidelines; a full application and cover sheet are provided if the inquiry is within the Foundation’s purview. The Foundation’s 2026 grant-application deadline of April 15 has passed; the website states that applications must be received by April 15 to be considered for that year.

Next open deadline
April 15, 2027 (Watson-Brown Foundation Grant)
Contact

Application contact: Thomas W Brown Jr
Mailing address: 310 Tom Watson Way, Thomson, GA 30824
Phone: (706) 595-8886
Website: https://watson-brown.org

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Watson-Brown Foundation Inc funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Clemson University: $685KClemson University$685KUniversity of Georgia: $570KUniversity of Georgia$570KUniversity of South Carolina-Columbia: $564KUniversity of SouthCarolina-Columbia$564KAugusta University: $256KAugusta University$256KUniversity of South Carolina-Aiken: $228KUniversity of SouthCarolina-Aiken$228KWofford College: $219KWofford College$219KGeorgia Institute of Technology: $210KGeorgia Institute ofTechnology$210KGeorgia Southern University: $180KGeorgia Southern University$180KAnderson University: $120KAnderson University$120KCollege of Charleston: $120KCollege of Charleston$120K

The largest 2024 recipient was Clemson University ($685K). Together the top 10 received $3.2M.

Organizations only. It also paid 16 individual scholarships ($174,000), which are not listed by name.

Grant Size Distribution

841 grants across all recorded years

741<$50K50$50–100K28$100–250K11$250–500K11$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 741 grants of 841 (88%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The Foundation says its grantmaking focuses largely on the Southeast, with the majority of grants supporting Southern studies and related programming at the college level. In 2024, 50% of grant dollars went to recipients in an individual recipient and 38% to recipients in Georgia; smaller shares went to an individual recipient (4%), Alabama (1%), and Tennessee (1%).

The scholarship program is for students from designated counties in Georgia and an individual recipient The Foundation’s website lists 23 eligible counties across the two states.

Grant Distribution by State

35states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 153 itemized grants.

Cities

AtlantaSpartanburgWashingtonNew YorkColumbiaCharlestonGreenvilleMilledgevilleAugustaMaconNashvilleWinston-SalemSavannahCambridgeChicagoAthensClevelandTallahasseeBirminghamBoston

Is Watson-Brown Foundation Inc open to new grantees?

9%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 12 of 138 grantees (9%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $41K. How we count

Medians: $5K first-time, $9K repeat.

  • 88% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving grew 21% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 105% 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.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$2M$4M$6M186 grants2020 169 grants2021 173 grants2022 160 grants2023 153 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4.3M (2021) to $5.2M (2024). In 2024 it made 153 grants totaling $5.2M.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Clemson University Clemson, SCAwarded Scholarship Grants$684,659
University of Georgia Athens, GAAwarded Scholarship Grants$570,000
University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, SCAwarded Scholarship Grants$564,000
Augusta University Augusta, GAAwarded Scholarship Grants$256,416
University of South Carolina-Aiken Aiken, SCAwarded Scholarship Grants$228,000
Wofford College Spartanburg, SCAwarded Scholarship Grants$219,000
Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GAAwarded Scholarship Grants$210,000
Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GAAwarded Scholarship Grants$180,000
Anderson University Anderson, SCAwarded Scholarship Grants$120,000
College of Charleston Charleston, SCAwarded Scholarship Grants$120,000
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2024$143,378,737$13,931,251$8,129,468$5,205,207153$7,480,010$13,699,598$7,130,269
2023$137,990,641$7,114,296$8,723,966$5,144,468160$7,254,512$6,075,473$6,824,949
2022$140,022,085$2,880,157$8,892,699$5,106,092173$7,252,533$1,831,590$7,148,973
2021$146,445,334$14,448,472$7,778,071$4,295,685169$6,188,701$13,275,973$7,442,514
2020$140,245,063$9,697,974$8,135,392$4,745,713186—$8,626,511$6,459,225

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Watson-Brown Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $7.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The Foundation’s mission is to “improve education in the American South by funding its schools and students, preserving its history, encouraging responsible scholarship, and promoting the memory and values of our spiritual founders.”

Its institutional grant program supports organizations with an abiding interest in the history and culture of the South. Grant forms include operating support, publication subventions, research grants, and program grants. The Foundation identifies colleges and universities, scholarly societies, and other public charities that collect or advance knowledge of the region as typical recipients. Its stated academic interests include history, English, literature, law, agricultural education, and historic preservation.

The Foundation also runs a need- and merit-based scholarship program for eligible students from designated Georgia and an individual recipient counties who plan to attend accredited four-year colleges. The Foundation’s website says its Junior Board of Trustees supports preservation projects in east central Georgia through three chapters.

Grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the range of institutions supported. Wofford College describes its purpose as providing a high-quality liberal arts education; Tuskegee University describes its mission as providing postsecondary educational opportunities and contributing to society through research and development. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the Foundation’s.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 153 grants totaling $5,205,207. Grant amounts ranged from $1,500 to $684,659, with a median of $6,000. The largest listed awards were $684,659 to Clemson University, $570,000 to the University of Georgia, and $564,000 to the University of South Carolina-Columbia; each was designated for awarded scholarship grants. Other large awards included $256,416 to Augusta University and $228,000 to the University of South Carolina-Aiken, also for awarded scholarship grants.

Other 2024 recipients included Wofford College ($219,000), Anderson University ($120,000), Furman University ($92,967), Presbyterian College ($48,000), Charleston Southern University ($42,000), North Greenville University ($24,000), Tuskegee University ($24,000), and Erskine College and Theological Seminary ($21,000).

The Foundation’s website says institutional grant applications are accepted throughout the year. It describes a letter-of-inquiry process: inquiries should briefly explain the need, summarize the project, provide a general budget, and show how the project serves the Foundation’s mission. If a project is within the Foundation’s purview, the organization will be sent an application and cover sheet. The listed application materials include a completed cover sheet; a narrative of no more than five pages describing the organization, program or need, and qualifications; a detailed program budget; a list of officers and directors or trustees; and a list of other secured funding. The website says two copies must be mailed, shipped, or delivered by courier; faxed applications are not accepted. It generally considers public charities and does not fund individuals outside its internal scholarship program, religious programs, political or lobbying activities, debt reduction, or advertising and marketing. It rarely supports social events and usually does not consider funding individual projects for more than one year.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Thomas W. Brown Jr. as president, CEO, and CFO; John Woodham as secretary; and Sara Katherine Drury and Thomas W. Brown III as trustees. The Foundation’s website identifies Tad Brown as the institutional grants contact and Matthew Marcano as the scholarship information contact.

Watson-Brown Foundation Inc is led by Thomas W. Brown Jr., President, CEO & CFO since 2024 (on filings since 2020); all 4 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Thomas W. Brown Jr.

    President, CEO & CFO

    President → President, CEO & CFO, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    50 hrs/week

    $175K (2020) → $169K (2024)

  • Sara Katherine Drury

    Trustee

    On filings since 2023

    2.5 hrs/week

    $9K (2023) → $12K (2024)

  • Thomas W. Brown III

    Trustee

    On filings since 2023

    2.5 hrs/week

    $9K (2023) → $12K (2024)

  • John Woodham

    Secretary

    Trustee → Secretary, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    2.5 hrs/week

    $12K (2020) → $12K (2024)

Former officers (2)
  • Former: Joab Lesesne (2020–2023) — Chairman
  • Former: Wyche Fowler Jr. (2020–2023) — 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

Thomas W Brown Jr — President, CEO & CFO: $169KThomas W Brown JrPresident, CEO & CFO$169KJohn Woodham — Secretary: $12KJohn WoodhamSecretary$12KSara Katherine Drury — Trustee: $12KSara Katherine DruryTrustee$12KThomas W Brown III — Trustee: $12KThomas W Brown IIITrustee$12K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $169K, to Thomas W Brown Jr (President, CEO & CFO). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Watson-Brown Foundation Inc

How much does Watson-Brown Foundation Inc give each year?

Watson-Brown Foundation Inc gave $5.2M across 153 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $5.1M across 160 grants.

What is Watson-Brown Foundation Inc's typical grant size?

Watson-Brown Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $6,000, and its average grant was $34,021, across 153 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Watson-Brown Foundation Inc that year got $5K on average.

Where does Watson-Brown Foundation Inc give grants?

Watson-Brown Foundation Inc gives mostly in South Carolina: 50% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Georgia (38%). The most frequent recipient cities were Atlanta, GA (8 grants), Spartanburg, SC (4 grants), Columbia, SC (3 grants) and Augusta, GA (3 grants).

Does Watson-Brown Foundation Inc give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 153 grants with a stated purpose on Watson-Brown Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Awarded Scholarship Grants" (153 grants).

Who are Watson-Brown Foundation Inc's largest grantees?

Watson-Brown Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Clemson University ($684,659), University of Georgia ($570,000) and University of South Carolina-Columbia ($564,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 16 individual scholarships ($174,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 35% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Watson-Brown Foundation Inc?

Watson-Brown Foundation Inc reported $143.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $7.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $7.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does Watson-Brown Foundation Inc fund?

The Foundation’s mission is to “improve education in the American South by funding its schools and students, preserving its history, encouraging responsible scholarship, and promoting the memory and values of our spiritual founders.” See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Watson-Brown Foundation Inc?

Submit a letter of inquiry by mail or email as described in the Foundation’s guidelines; a full application and cover sheet are provided if the inquiry is within the Foundation’s purview. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Watson-Brown Foundation Inc's EIN?

Watson-Brown Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7097393. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.

Data update history

(1)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Watson-Brown Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/watson-brown-foundation-inc-morg_a0dbce314e9a48539052b04e98394cb2

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237097393_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Watson-Brown Foundation Inc funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/watson-brown-foundation-inc-morg_a0dbce314e9a48539052b04e98394cb2},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Watson-Brown Foundation Inc'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.

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