WS Johnston Foundation
WS Johnston Foundation is a private foundation, based in Denver, CO. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $201K.
Key facts about WS Johnston Foundation
In short: WS Johnston Foundation gave $201K across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $40K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 21-6015101
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $201,448
- Grants made (2025)
- 5
- Average grant
- $40,290
- Median grant
- $3,000
- Primary geography
- California (96% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Quick answers about WS Johnston Foundation
How much does WS Johnston Foundation give each year?
WS Johnston Foundation gave $201K across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $12K across 9 grants.
What is WS Johnston Foundation's typical grant size?
WS Johnston Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $3,000, and its average grant was $40,290, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does WS Johnston Foundation give grants?
WS Johnston Foundation gives mostly in California: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (2 grants).
Does WS Johnston Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on WS Johnston Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are WS Johnston Foundation's largest grantees?
WS Johnston Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include R Johnston Family Fund - Schwab Donor Advised Fund Giving 360 ($96,474), Johnston Rodgers Fund - Schwab Donor Advised Fund Giving 360 ($96,474) and Colorado Photographic Arts Center ($3,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 97% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How WS Johnston Foundation gives
- Giving grew 1392% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Next steps with WS Johnston Foundation
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Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
-100.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$201K
+1578.7% YoY
Grant Count
5
-44.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$40K
+2921.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, WS Johnston Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About WS Johnston Foundation
Based on IRS filings
WS Johnston Foundation is a private foundation, based in Denver, CO. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $201K.
Ready to take the next step with WS Johnston Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 5 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | $208,531 | $187,818 |
| Revenue | $1,796 | $39,116 | $33,693 |
| Expenses | $210,327 | $18,403 | $20,686 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $205,448 | $14,625 | $17,767 |
| Net Investment Income | — | $36,441 | $31,046 |
| Distributable Amount | $6,042 | $23,347 | $18,891 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
38 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| R JOHNSTON FAMILY FUND - SCHWAB DONOR ADVISED FUND GIVING 360 San Francisco, CA | CHARITABLE GIVINGS | $96,474 |
| JOHNSTON RODGERS FUND - SCHWAB DONOR ADVISED FUND GIVING 360 San Francisco, CA | CHARITABLE GIVINGS | $96,474 |
| COLORADO PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS CENTER Denver, CO | ARTS | $3,000 |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA INC Washington DC, DC | HEALTHCARE | $3,000 |
| AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS New York, NY | ANIMAL CARE | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
WS Johnston Foundation is led by John C. Rodgers Jr., President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
John C. Rodgers Jr.
President
Board Member → Vice President, 2021
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Margaret E. Johnston
Trustee
Board Member → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Samantha Johnston
Secretary
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kate Karnas
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andy Rodgers
Vice President
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Barbara J. Rodgers (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Richard Johnston (2020–2023) — President
- Former: Kate Johnston (2020–2021) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is WS Johnston Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, WS Johnston Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is WS Johnston Foundation's EIN?
WS Johnston Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 21-6015101. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.