Watkins Christian Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- Watkins Christian Foundation funds Christian-based organisations advancing God's Kingdom through Outreach, Education, and Faith & Ministry, so your work should sit clearly within one of these themes and have a genuine Christian basis.
- Its geographic focus is given as Priority: Southeast, so this is the area it names for its giving.
- Most grants to organisations fall between $15,000 and $130,000, with a median of $50,000, so a modest request in that range is realistic, though it has made one grant as large as $550,000.
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests and works by invitation only, so a cold application is unlikely to succeed; a relationship, introduction or prior connection to the foundation looks essential.
- A high share of its grant dollars goes to organisations it has funded before, so it appears to lean towards sustaining existing partners rather than taking on many new ones, which is worth bearing in mind when deciding how to approach it.
Overview
Watkins Christian Foundation is a US private foundation based in Atlanta, GA.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website and other web pages about the foundation (watkins.com), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation gives to Christian-based organisations advancing God’s Kingdom. Its stated work is organised around Outreach, Education, and Faith & Ministry. Through Outreach, it seeks to alleviate poverty and suffering, with emphasis on homelessness, food insecurity, education, health, mental health, and family stability. Its Education focus helps children, youth and young adults grow in knowledge and become grounded in their faith to love, lead, and serve. Through Faith & Ministry, it aims to draw youth closer to Christ, nurture their faith through genuine, faithful relationships, and mentor and train young leaders for churches and ministries. Its wider vision is to empower Christian-oriented organisations to impact youth and others through Christ, while maintaining the growth of its principal assets.
Themes
- Outreach
- Education
- Faith & Ministry
Geographic Focus
Priority: Southeast. (as reported in other published sources)
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 85% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 175 grants to organisations were $50,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- The foundation values clear and authentic communication of impact, including how lives change over time.
- The foundation prioritises resilient teams, emerging talent, and navigating change to sustain the mission.
- The foundation favours long-term strength, organisational infrastructure, and the people driving its partners’ work.
- The foundation values listening, convening, and creating space for supported organisations to learn from one another.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
5 other states: 2%
- The largest single recipient received 8% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 85% of grant dollars went to organisations Watkins Christian Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 2% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 45 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $50,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Jesuit High School of Tampa · Capital campaign & financial aid needy students$550,0002024 tax year
- Hope Academy · Hope academy expansion$400,0002024 tax year
- Cornerstone Christian Academy · Capital campaign for building renovation and expansion.$400,0002024 tax year
- First United Methodist Church of Lakeland · To support year-round programming for the children, youth and neighborhood ministries that primarily focus on providing scholarships for youth to attend the warren w. willis united methodist youth camps.$325,0002024 tax year
- Brookwood School · Additional funding for dining hall project$200,0002024 tax year
- Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church · To support the bethlehem inclusive and digital access ministries$150,0002024 tax year
- Vashti Center · Chaplain/bishop hall roof$130,0002024 tax year
- City of Refuge · City school expansion$100,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Jeremy Bagley — Secretary, Treasurer
- Rozita La Gorce — Executive Director
- William B Watkins V — Director
- Sarah Watkins — Director
- Michael L Watkins — President
- George C Watkins — Chairman
- Eric S Wahlen — Director
- W Neal Freeman — Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $4,996,539 | $3,803,500 | $85,039,698 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $8,587,323 | $4,175,655 | $93,197,741 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $5,343,046 | $4,000,000 | $102,325,216 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Watkins Christian Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Atlanta, GA
- watkinsfdn.org/about-us
Applying to Watkins Christian Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Atlanta, GA
- watkinsfdn.org/about-us