Watson Family Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Laguna Beach, CA EIN: 82-3785373

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.

Key facts about Watson Family Foundation

In short: Watson Family Foundation gave $30K across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $8K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
82-3785373
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$30,496
Grants made (2024)
4
Average grant
$7,624
Median grant
$6,248
Total assets
$168,647
Primary geography
California (59% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$169K

-8.5% YoY

Annual Giving

$30K

+190.4% YoY

Grant Count

4

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$8K

+190.4% YoY

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.

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.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

4states

Share of all 4 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

Cities

Aliso ViejoNewport CoastNew YorkSan Juan CapistranoWilmingtonCosta MesaHuntington BeachJenkintownMission ViejoSanta Ana

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$10K$20K$30K$40K3 grants20204 grants20214 grants20224 grants20234 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $11K (2023) to $30K (2024). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $30K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 4 recipients in 2024

JSerra Catholic High School: $16KJSerra Catholic High School$16KNational Philanthropic Trust: $10KNational Philanthropic Trust$10KOrange County School of the Arts: $3KOrange County School of theArts$3KB Foundation - NYDM: $3KB Foundation - NYDM$3K

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

19<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 19 grants of 19 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
JSerra Catholic High School San Juan Capistrano, CABoys Basketball and Unrestricted.$15,500
National Philanthropic Trust Jenkintown, PADonor Advised Fund$9,896
Orange County School of the Arts Santa Ana, CAFund-A-Dream$2,600
B Foundation - NYDM New York, NYB+ Heroes Kids with Cancer$2,500

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$10K$20K$30K$40K20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$168,647$184,326$191,503
Revenue$8,584$7,375$4,499
Expenses$31,791$14,552$17,543
Qualifying Distributions$31,791$14,552$17,543
Net Investment Income$8,584$7,375$4,645
Distributable Amount$13,024$11,218$12,021

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

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

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.

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