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Watts Family Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Watts Family Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$90k
Granted FY2025still arriving
24
Grants FY2025still arriving
7
States reached
$12k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0190% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2025.

Religion$342kHealth$109kRecreation & Sports$109kInternational$42kHuman Services$20kEducation$3kFood & Nutrition$2kArts & Culture$2kOther$0
02FY2025 · 24 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k19 grants · $36k
  • $10k–50k5 grants · $54k
$1,250
Median grant
7
States reached
$985k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH$11,575
POSSABILITIES$11,000
FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES$10,900
MN ADULT & TEEN CHALLENGE$10,800
READ MINISTRIES$10,000
CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST$8,160
STEIGER INTERNATIONAL$5,000
AMERICAN HELPER$3,600
IRONWOOD SPRINGS CHRISTIAN RANCH$3,500
CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY ALLIANCE$2,000
SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY CHURCH$2,000
Individual grant recipient$1,250
FRIENDS OF THE GREAT COMMISSION$1,200
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY$1,200
CAMP VICTORY$1,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Dollar for dollar, its grants (FY17–25) land where the poverty rate runs at 10%, against an area that typically sits at 9%. 84% of its dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 9%FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES: $11k → 6%MN ADULT & TEEN CHALLENGE: $33k → 9%READ MINISTRIES: $35k → 11%CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST: $9k → 13%FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES: $11k → 15%MN ADULT & TEEN CHALLENGE: $26k → 9%READ MINISTRIES: $15k → 11%CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST: $8k → 13%FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES: $11k → 15%CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH: $22k → 9%READ MINISTRIES: $10k → 11%CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST: $8k → 13%FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES: $11k → 15%CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH: $12k → 9%READ MINISTRIES: $10k → 11%CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST: $8k → 13%FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES: $11k → 15%RIVER VALLEY CHURCH: $50k → 6%CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH: $11k → 9%READ MINISTRIES: $10k → 11%CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST: $7k → 13%FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES: $11k → 15%AMERICAN HELPER: $4k → 6%MN ADULT & TEEN CHALLENGE: $11k → 9%CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST: $7k → 13%FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES: $11k → 15%AMERICAN HELPER: $4k → 6%CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH: $11k → 9%CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST: $7k → 13%FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES: $10k → 15%AMERICAN HELPER: $4k → 6%CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH: $11k → 9%STEIGER INTERNATIONAL: $5k → 11%CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST: $7k → 13%FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES: $10k → 15%AMERICAN HELPER: $4k → 6%CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH: $11k → 9%CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST: $7k → 13%AMERICAN HELPER: $4k → 6%CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH: $11k → 9%AMERICAN HELPER: $4k → 6%CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH: $11k → 9%CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH: $10k → 9%MN ADULT & TEEN CHALLENGE: $10k → 9%MN ADULT & TEEN CHALLENGE: $9k → 9%MN ADULT & TEEN CHALLENGE: $8k → 9%IRONWOOD SPRINGS CHRISTIAN RANCH: $5k → 9%POSSABILITIES: $11k → 9%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

WA
MN
WI
OH
CA
CO
MO
AR
NC
FL
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

89%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$585k · 31 repeat orgs$70k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +29% since the first grant, against +24% for those funded once.

31 repeat relationships: 22 still active in FY2025, 9 since wound down; 2 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

31
18

Total granted

$585k
$66k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+29%
+24%

Still filing today

52%
44%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 96% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $3k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
ReligionHealthInternationalEducationYouth DevelopmentFood & NutritionOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • MT
    Minnesota Teen Challenge Inc
    8× · 2017–2025 · $99k · revenue +94%
  • FO
    FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES
    9× · 2017–2025 · $99k · revenue +120%
  • RM
    READ MINISTRIES INC
    5× · 2021–2025 · $80k · revenue +46%

Funded once

  • RV
    RIVER VALLEY CHURCH
    one grant, 2021 · $50k
  • IC
    IRON CHALLENGE FUNDRAISER
    one grant, 2018 · $4k
  • AO
    ASSEMBLIES OF GOD
    one grant, 2019 · $2k
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
One for Israel

One for israel's purposes are to unite u.s. and international churches, ministries and individuals for the proclamation of the gospel in israel, to raise funds for evangelism and gospel proclamation, to provide tangible relief for israel's…

—
2
Christian Mission for the United Nations Community

Christian Mission for the United Nations Community is a ministry aimed at leading the head of every nation and other top leaders to faith in Jesus Christ and helping them to walk in dependence upon God as they discharge the…

—
3
Time of Grace Ministry

Time of grace is for people who want more growth and less struggle in their spiritual walk. we share the truth of god's word simply and clearly through television, print, and digital media that people view millions of times each month. we…

Religion
4
Arrive Ministries

Arrive ministries is dedicated to living out god's command to welcome refugees and immigrants in minnesota. our purpose is to see life transformation for refugees, immigrants, and the church.

—
5
Youth for Christ International Ministries

As part of the body of Christ, to see that every young person in every people group in every nation has the opportunity to make an informed decision to be a follower of Jesus Christ and become a part of the local church.

Religion
6
Blue Letter Bible

The specific purpose of this corporation is to present a biblical, christian ministry of the gospel, hope, encouragement and strength to as many people as possible. the intent of those who will conduct this corporation's work is to present…

—
7
International Commission Inc

Equipping and enabling believers worldwide to conduct church-based evangelism projects to reach unbelievers and make disciples.

Religion
8
Christianity Today International

Christianity Today is a global community inspired by evangelical conviction to advance the stories and ideas of the kingdom of God. Our mission is to elevate the storytellers and sages of the global church.

Religion
9
Ecumen

We empower individuals and families to confidently navigate aging so that it is a purposeful journey filled with dignity and support.

—
10
Biglife International Inc

Biglife international inc. empowers believers worldwide to reach and disciple their own people for jesus christ.

Recreation & Sports
11
Jewish Voice Ministries Intl

To proclaim the gospel, grow the messianic jewish community and engage the church concerning israel and the jewish people. this is done through education, evangelism and being a movement leader, all with excellence in order to transform…

—
12
Freedom in Christ Ministries

To provide resources, training, and continuing support to leaders in the us and around the world in order that they may help others find freedom in christ.

Religion
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Educational Media Foundation; the most unlike its peers is Americanhelper Inc. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

25 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 25 of the 51 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
2
Early backer (in before they grew)
24/25
Grantees still filing
20/25
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH: $108,125 · OtherCHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCHCAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST: $66,840 · OtherCAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRISTRIVER VALLEY CHURCH: $50,000 · OtherRIVER VALLEY CHURCHPOSSABILITIES: $16,180 · OtherFOCUS ON THE FAMILY: $12,900 · Other+34 more: $71,313 · Other+34 moreMinnesota Teen Challenge Inc: $99,156 · HealthMinnesota Teen Ch…+1 more: $1,000 · HealthFELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES: $98,670 · Youth DevelopmentFELLOWSHIP OF CHR…READ MINISTRIES INC: $80,000 · ReligionREAD MINISTRIE…+3 more: $4,727 · Religion+3 moreAMERICANHELPER INC: $32,429 · InternationalONECHILD GLOBAL: $6,145 · InternationalBETHEL UNIVERSITY: $3,100 · EducationGLOBAL SERVICE NETWORK INC: $1,600 · EducationCHANNEL ONE INC: $2,250 · Food & Nutrition
Other$325,358Health$100,156Youth Development$98,670Religion$84,727International$38,574Education$4,700Food & Nutrition$2,250

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetMinnesota Teen Challenge Inc: $99,156 over 8y, 0.0% of budgetFELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES: $98,670 over 9y, 0.0% of budgetREAD MINISTRIES INC: $80,000 over 5y, 7.7% of budgetAMERICANHELPER INC: $32,429 over 9y, 5.6% of budgetIRONWOOD SPRINGS CHRISTIAN RANCH INC: $9,608 over 3y, 0.4% of budgetSTEIGER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED: $9,500 over 5y, 0.1% of budgetONECHILD GLOBAL: $6,145 over 9y, 0.0% of budgetBEAR CREEK SERVICES INC: $3,900 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetBETHEL UNIVERSITY: $3,100 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetSPECIAL OLYMPICS MINNESOTA INC: $3,051 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetCHANNEL ONE INC: $2,250 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetGLOBAL SERVICE NETWORK INC: $1,600 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetROBBINSDALE WOMEN'S CENTER: $1,500 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetHOCKEY MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL: $1,500 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetFriends of the Great Commission: $1,400 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetSAMARITAN'S PURSE: $1,327 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetEDUCATIONAL MEDIA FOUNDATION: $1,200 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNEXT CHAPTER MINISTRIES: $1,100 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetDOCS RECOVERY HOUSE: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetNEW LIFE FAMILY SERVICES: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetJEREMIAH PROGRAM: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE LANDING MN: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE ARC MINNESOTA INC: $200 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetABILITY BUILDING CENTER INC: $200 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

  • Who funds Minnesota Teen Challenge Inc ↗
  • Who funds FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES ↗
  • Who funds READ MINISTRIES INC ↗
  • Who funds AMERICANHELPER INC ↗
  • Who funds IRONWOOD SPRINGS CHRISTIAN RANCH INC ↗
  • Who funds STEIGER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED ↗
  • Who funds ONECHILD GLOBAL ↗
  • Who funds BEAR CREEK SERVICES INC ↗
  • Who funds BETHEL UNIVERSITY ↗
  • Who funds SPECIAL OLYMPICS MINNESOTA INC ↗
  • Who funds CHANNEL ONE INC ↗
  • Who funds InterVarsity Christian FellowshipUSA ↗
  • Who funds GLOBAL SERVICE NETWORK INC ↗
  • Who funds ROBBINSDALE WOMEN'S CENTER ↗
  • Who funds HOCKEY MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL ↗
  • Who funds Friends of the Great Commission ↗
  • Who funds SAMARITAN'S PURSE ↗
  • Who funds EDUCATIONAL MEDIA FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds NEXT CHAPTER MINISTRIES ↗
  • Who funds DOCS RECOVERY HOUSE ↗

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Rochester Area Founda…Mayo ClinicChristian Community F…Mightycause Charitabl…Thrivent Charitable I…Otto Bremer TrustUnited Way of Southea…The Signatry Charitab…Servant FoundationThe K FoundationCh Robinson Worldwide…Renaissance Charitabl…
Rochester Area FoundationMN23.9× affinity9 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Rochester Area Foundation · Mayo Clinic · Christian Community Foundation Inc · Mightycause Charitable Foundation · Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing · Otto Bremer Trust · United Way of Southeast Minnesota · The Signatry Charitable Trust · Servant Foundation · The K Foundation · Ch Robinson Worldwide Foundation · Renaissance Charitable Foundation Inc

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Watts Family Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Watts Family Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%1%3%6%10%funder's share of their income ↑0%3%5%8%10%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    7report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–10%
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 51 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Watts Family’s filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home