Hyde And Watson Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $6.46 million (2025)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 2-3 months after deadline
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $20,000 (typical)
• Geographic Focus: NYC five boroughs and Essex, Morris, Union counties in NJ

Contact Details

• Website: hydeandwatson.org
• Email: info@hydeandwatson.org
• Phone: 908-753-3700
• Location: Warren, NJ

Overview

The Hyde and Watson Foundation, formed in 1983 through the consolidation of the Lillia Babbitt Hyde Foundation (est. 1924) and the John Jay and Eliza Jane Watson Foundation (est. 1949), manages over $116 million in assets and awards approximately $6 million annually. The foundation exclusively supports capital projects for nonprofit organizations in education, social services, arts, health, religion, and humanities within the five boroughs of New York City and Essex, Morris, and Union counties in New Jersey. With 605 organizations funded in 2025 averaging $10,680 per grant, the foundation maintains a focused approach on one-time capital needs rather than operating support.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Capital Equipment Grants: $5,000 - $20,000 for purchase of equipment and furnishings
• Renovation Grants: $5,000 - $20,000 for building improvements and facility upgrades
• Construction Support: $5,000 - $20,000 for hard costs related to new facilities
• Application methods: Online portal with two fixed annual deadlines (first-come-first-reviewed basis)

Priority Areas

• Education (schools, colleges, educational programs)
• Social Services (youth services, family support, community centers)
• Arts & Culture (museums, theaters, arts organizations)
• Health (medical facilities, mental health, animal welfare)
• Religion (houses of worship, faith-based services)
• Humanities (libraries, historical societies)

What They Don't Fund

• Operating support
• Endowment funds
• Benefit fundraisers or special events
• Annual fund appeals
• Applications from fiscal agents or sponsors
• Leases or rentals of equipment
• Subscription-based software or recurring fees
• Individual funding
• Projects outside geographic area

Governance and Leadership

Officers (2025-2026):

• John W. Holman, III - Chairperson
• Brunilda Moriarty - CEO & President
• Hans Dekker - Secretary
• Donald C. Mullins, Jr. - Treasurer

Key Staff:

• Sarah A. Kalra - Grants Director
• Allison J. Pena - Grants Administrator
• Maureen T. McCutcheon - VP Controller

Board of Directors: Deborah J. Barker, Thomas W. Berry, Hans Dekker, William V. Engel, Denise M. Grant, John W. Holman III, Anne-Marie Kim, Thomas H. MacCowatt, Brunilda Moriarty, Donald C. Mullins Jr.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the online application portal in PDF format. The foundation reviews proposals in the order they are received, and because there is a finite amount of funds budgeted for each grants cycle, applicants are encouraged to submit proposals early in the application period.

Required Documents:

• Brief narrative (maximum 3 pages) covering organization background, project purpose, timeline, and impact
• Project budget with line items
• Current operating budget
• List of corporate and foundation supporters
• Board of Directors list with business affiliations
• Audited financial report or Form 990
• 501(c)(3) and 509(a) determination letters

Decision Timeline

• Spring Cycle: Applications accepted December 15 - February 1

  • Board meeting: April
  • Notifications: After April meeting
  • Funds disbursed: Late May

• Fall Cycle: Applications accepted June 15 - August 1

  • Board meeting: October
  • Notifications: After October meeting
  • Funds disbursed: Late November

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose application success rates. In 2025, they funded 605 organizations with $6.46 million total, averaging $10,680 per grant.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations can only receive one grant per calendar year. Previous grant recipients must submit grant reports before being considered for new proposals. Organizations funded for several consecutive years may need to take a "skip year."

Application Success Factors

The foundation states that proposals are sometimes declined because "the Directors feel a request does not fit the Foundation's grants guidelines." Based on their funding patterns and requirements:

• Submit early in the application window - applications are reviewed first-come-first-reviewed with limited funds per cycle
• Keep narrative concise - maximum 3 pages as explicitly requested
• Focus on tangible, one-time capital expenses - avoid any recurring costs or operational needs
• Demonstrate clear organizational impact - explain how the equipment/renovation will benefit your programs and constituents
• Ensure complete financial documentation - include all required attachments in PDF format
• Verify geographic and tax-exempt eligibility - must serve NYC five boroughs or Essex/Morris/Union counties in NJ
• Submit grant reports promptly if previously funded - this is required before new applications

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Apply immediately when the application window opens (December 15 for spring, June 15 for fall) as funds are allocated first-come-first-reviewed
• Focus exclusively on capital projects - equipment, renovations, or construction hard costs only
• Keep your narrative to 3 pages maximum and emphasize the tangible impact of the capital improvement
• Typical grants range from $5,000 to $20,000, with an average around $10,000
• Only one grant per organization per year is allowed, and multi-year recipients may need to skip a year
• The foundation has over $116 million in assets and distributes approximately $6 million annually to 600+ organizations
• No site visits or interviews are mentioned - decisions appear to be based solely on written applications reviewed at board meetings

References

• Hyde and Watson Foundation Official Website (hydeandwatson.org) - Accessed March 4, 2026
• Hyde and Watson Foundation Application Procedures (hydeandwatson.org/application-procedures/) - Accessed March 4, 2026
• Hyde and Watson Foundation Grants in 2025 (hydeandwatson.org/grants-in-2025/) - Accessed March 4, 2026
• Hyde and Watson Foundation Board & Staff (hydeandwatson.org/board-staff/) - Accessed March 4, 2026
• Council of New Jersey Grantmakers News Articles (cnjg.org) - Accessed March 4, 2026
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Hyde and Watson Foundation Form 990 Filings - Accessed March 4, 2026
• Inside Philanthropy - Hyde and Watson Foundation Profile - Accessed March 4, 2026
• Foundation Directory (Candid) - Hyde and Watson Foundation - Accessed March 4, 2026