The Ed Watkowski Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests, so a cold application is unlikely to be considered; the filing describes no other route in, so a warm introduction is the sensible starting point.
- Its grants are for general purposes across health, education, religious, veterans' and social-service organisations, and the filing sets out no narrower purpose or eligibility rules, so fit is hard to judge from the record alone.
- Its typical grant is $100,000, and half of its 22 grants to organisations were $100,000 or less, so a request sized around that figure matches its pattern; this is a typical band, not a ceiling.
- In the latest filing, 82% of its grant dollars went to organisations it had also funded in the filing before, which suggests its giving is relationship-led.
- The filing gives no deadlines or dates for requests, so timing should follow any invitation or contact the foundation makes.
Overview
The Ed Watkowski Foundation is a US private foundation based in Chicago, IL.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2025, TY2024, TY2023) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation's recorded grants are for general purposes and go to a varied set of charitable organisations. Recipients include a religious institution, universities, hospitals and children's health organisations, veterans' organisations, and charities whose names identify work connected with children, families, humanitarian services and disability support. The grant record also includes organisations providing residential care for children and accommodation for families connected with children's hospitals. This giving therefore spans health, education, religious, veterans' and social-service organisations rather than one clearly stated funding field. The filings do not set out a narrower purpose or eligibility rules.
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Illinois, Ohio, Texas, Tennessee and New York.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2025 filing, 82% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2024 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2024 and TY2025 filings, half of its 22 grants to organisations were $100,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2023–2025.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 9% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2025, 82% of grant dollars went to organisations The Ed Watkowski Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 11 grants in tax year 2025 by size
Median $100k (tax year 2025)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Shriners Children's Hospital · General purposes$100,0002025 tax year
- Wounded Warrior Project · General purposes$100,0002025 tax year
- Tunnel to Towers Foundation · General purposes$100,0002025 tax year
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · General purposes$100,0002025 tax year
- Ronald Mcdonald House Lurie Children's · General purposes$100,0002025 tax year
- Mercy Ships · General purposes$100,0002025 tax year
- Mercy Home for Boys and Girls · General purposes$100,0002025 tax year
- March of Dimes · General purposes$100,0002025 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Joanne M Brady — Vice President / Director
- Scott C Brady — Secretary / Director
- Joseph G Brady — President / Treasurer / Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 tax year | $4,976 | $0 | $365,054 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $1,527,622 | $1,100,000 | $18,704,445 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
| 2025 tax year | $1,516,934 | $1,100,000 | $18,920,133 | Filing for 2025 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 The Ed Watkowski Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
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Contact
- Chicago, IL
Applying to The Ed Watkowski Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Chicago, IL