Watson Family Foundation
Watson Family Foundation is a private foundation, based in Laguna Beach, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $169K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $30K. Net investment income was $9K.
Watson Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Watson Family Foundation gave $30K across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $8K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $30,496
- +190.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $7,624
- +190.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $6,248
- Total assets
- $168,647
- -8.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (59% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Watson Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was JSerra Catholic High School ($16K). Together the top 4 received $30K.
Grant Size Distribution
19 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 19 grants of 19 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
How Watson Family Foundation gives
- Giving grew 153% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 244% of 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $11K (2023) to $30K (2024). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $30K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| JSerra Catholic High School San Juan Capistrano, CA | Boys Basketball and Unrestricted. | $15,500 |
| National Philanthropic Trust Jenkintown, PA | Donor Advised Fund | $9,896 |
| Orange County School of the Arts Santa Ana, CA | Fund-A-Dream | $2,600 |
| B Foundation - NYDM New York, NY | B+ Heroes Kids with Cancer | $2,500 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $168,647 | $8,584 | $31,791 | $30,496 | 4 | $31,791 | $8,584 | $13,024 |
| 2023 | $184,326 | $7,375 | $14,552 | $10,500 | 4 | $14,552 | $7,375 | $11,218 |
| 2022 | $191,503 | $4,499 | $17,543 | $13,175 | 4 | $17,543 | $4,645 | $12,021 |
| 2021 | $204,547 | $16,536 | $16,413 | $12,050 | 4 | $16,413 | $16,536 | $13,625 |
| 2020 | $204,424 | $13,369 | $16,181 | $12,000 | 3 | — | $13,369 | $12,156 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Watson Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $13K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Watson Family Foundation is led by Matthew W Watson, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Matthew W Watson
President
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John R Watson
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shea M Watson
CFO
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about Watson Family Foundation
How much does Watson Family Foundation give each year?
Watson Family Foundation gave $30K across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $11K across 4 grants.
What is Watson Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Watson Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $6,248, and its average grant was $7,624, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Watson Family Foundation give grants?
Watson Family Foundation gives mostly in California: 59% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (32%) and New York (8%).
Does Watson Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 25% of Watson Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 4) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is Watson Family Foundation?
Watson Family Foundation reported $169K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $32K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $13K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Watson Family Foundation's EIN?
Watson Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-3785373. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Watson Family Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Watson Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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