The Watson Trust concentrates its giving on health care institutions and community-wide human services, favoring large unrestricted or general-purpose grants that support hospitals and broad community programs. Grants include significant support for regional hospitals and a repeated commitment to the local United Way’s youth/after-school initiative, indicating a priority on health systems and out-of-school-time supports for children. The foundation makes a small number of substantial awards rather than many small grants.
Walter E & Caroline H Watson Trust has a clear pattern of backing health systems and community safety-net organizations, with repeated large awards to hospitals and human-services providers in northeast Ohio. In the recent grants list, Mercy Health Fdn in Youngstown received $75,288 in 2023 and $31,886 in 2025 for general support, while Akron Children's Hospital received the same amounts in those two years for general purpose funding. That mix points to a funder that favors flexible support for institutions serving broad community needs rather than narrowly targeted project-only grants. The trust also shows a sustained interest in youth-serving community programs. Community Corporation United Way Campaign in Youngstown received $40,000 in both 2023 and 2025 for Success By & After 6, a youth and after-school initiative. Other awards reach into emergency social services, housing, food assistance, and education-related services, showing a grantmaking pattern that connects medical care with day-to-day family stability. Across the recent record, the trust makes a relatively small number of grants, but several are substantial enough to matter to core operating budgets. Recipients include both regional hospital systems and local organizations serving children, families, and residents facing immediate hardship.
Health care is one of the trust’s most visible giving areas. Mercy Health Fdn in Youngstown received $75,288 in 2023 and $31,886 in 2025 for general support, while Akron Children's Hospital in Akron received $75,288 in 2023 and $31,886 in 2025 for general purpose funding. Youth development and out-of-school time also appear repeatedly. Community Corporation United Way Campaign in Youngstown received $40,000 in 2023 and again in 2025 for Success By & After 6, and Ohio Urban Renaissance in Youngstown received $10,000 in 2025 for the ICAN Afterschool Program. The trust supports basic-needs services as well. Salvation Army in Youngstown received $26,000 in 2025 for emergency social services, and Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley received $20,000 in 2023 for reducing food insecurity and $10,588 in 2025 for client assistance. Education-related grants also show up in the record, including $25,000 to Youngstown Area Jewish Federation in 2025 for an early learning center and $15,000 to Akiva Academy in 2025 for well-rounded education.
$1.1M
$7.6M
$608K
$430K
Most grants fall between $5K and $11K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$11K
About 1% of grants go to recipients in OH.
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Concentrated giving: a handful of relatively large grants, including repeat support to a United Way campaign and multi-thousand-dollar general-purpose awards to regional hospitals rather than many small or highly restricted project grants.
Notable grantees: Community Corporation United Way Campaign, Mercy Health Foundation, Akron Children's Hospital
The typical grant sits in a middle range: p25 is $5,000, median is $10,000, and p75 is $11,422. The recent record also includes several awards well above that band, showing a split between routine program support and larger hospital commitments. Recipients appear across multiple years, including repeated grants to the same organizations in 2023, 2024, and 2025. The trust is a private foundation based in Pittsburgh and it funds individuals. No application process is stated in the data.
Giving is concentrated in Ohio, which accounts for the largest share of grant recipients by state. Youngstown appears most often, with additional awards in Akron, Kent, Cuyahoga Falls, and Middletown. Pennsylvania, despite being the headquarters state, receives only 1% of grants. All recorded grants in the recent set go to U.S. recipients.
The trust’s recent grants center on health care institutions and community-serving human services. Hospital and health-related awards go to organizations such as Mercy Health Fdn and Akron Children's Hospital, while other grants support emergency social services, food insecurity response, housing-related needs, and youth programs.
The recent grant-size distribution is relatively tight: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $11,422. Several awards are larger than that range, especially to hospital and general support recipients.
Yes. The record shows repeated grants across years, including Mercy Health Fdn in 2023 and 2025, Akron Children's Hospital in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Community Corporation United Way Campaign in 2023 and 2025.
Ohio receives the most grants, with Youngstown appearing most often. Other recipient cities in the recent list include Akron, Kent, Cuyahoga Falls, and Middletown. Pennsylvania, the headquarters state, accounts for only 1% of grants.
Youth support shows up in after-school, early learning, entrepreneurship, and education grants. Examples include Success By & After 6 through Community Corporation United Way Campaign, the ICAN Afterschool Program at Ohio Urban Renaissance, an early learning center at Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, and youth entrepreneurship at The Youngstown Edison Incubator.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMMUNITY CORPORATION UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $40,000 | 2025 | SUCCESS BY & AFTER 6 & |
| AKRON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | AKRON, OH | $31,886 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| MERCY HEALTH FDN | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $31,886 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SALVATION ARMY | Youngstown, OH | $26,000 | 2025 | EMERGENCY SOCIAL SERVICES |
| YOUNGSTOWN AREA JEWISH FEDERATION | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | EARLY LEARNING CENTER |
| THE YOUNGSTOWN EDISON INCUBATOR | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS GREATER AKRON | AKRON, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | MAHONING VALLEY HOME FIRE |
| YMCA OF YOUNGSTOWN | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE |
| AKIVA ACADEMY | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | WELL-ROUNDED EDUCATION |
| RESCUE MISSION OF MAHONING VALLEY | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $10,588 | 2025 | CLIENT ASSISTANCE |
| HEART REACH NEIGHBORHOOD | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPER KIDS |
| OHIO URBAN RENAISSANCE | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | ICAN AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM |
| HUMILITY OF MARY HOUSING | CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS ECCC |
| YOUNGSTOWN AREA GOODWILL INC | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | CLIENT SUPPORT/VOUCHERS |
| BUTLER INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN ART | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | BOILER REPLACEMENT PROJECT |
| POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | STRUCTURED TEACHING |
| TRUMBULL AND EASTER SEALS | Youngstown, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | AUTISM DIAGNOSTIC CLINIC |
| KOOL BOIZ FOUNDATION | MIDDLETOWN, DE | $10,000 | 2025 | MENTORING PROGRAM |
| SMARTS Students Motivated by the Arts | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $7,500 | 2025 | ARTS EDUCATION UNDERSERVED |
| YOUNGSTOWN PLAYHOUSE | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $7,500 | 2025 | YOUTH THEATRE PROGRAM 2025 |
| ALL CHILDREN LEARN DIFFERENTLY | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $7,500 | 2025 | AFTERSCHOOL INTERVENTION |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF MAHONING VALLEY OHIO | GIRARD, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | JA K-12 PROGRAMS |
| NATIONAL SOCIETY TO PREVENT BLINDNESS | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | MAHONING VALLEY OUTREACH |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTH EAST | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | JOURNEYS IN YOUNGSTOWN |
| MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION OF GREATER OHIO | INDEPEDENDCE, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | WISHES MAHONING/TRUMBULL |
| 1ST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE UNITED WAY OF YOMAH VALLEY | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPPORT |
| AKRON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | AKRON, OH | $30,861 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| MERCY HEALTH FDN | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $30,861 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SALVATION ARMY | Youngstown, OH | $21,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COLEMAN HEALTH SERVICES | KENT, OH | $20,000 | 2024 | GAP FUNDING FOR HOMELESS |
| THE YOUNGSTOWN EDISON INCUBATOR | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $20,000 | 2024 | YBI YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP |
| AKIVA ACADEMY | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $15,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| HUMILITY OF MARY HOUSING | CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH | $12,584 | 2024 | EMMANUEL ROOF REPLACEMENT |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS GREATER AKRON | AKRON, OH | $11,700 | 2024 | MAHONING VALLEY BLOOD |
| SIGHT FOR ALL | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | EYE SEE AGAIN PROJECT |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | STAR CORNER - YOUNGSTOWN |
| YOUNGSTOWN WARREN REGIONAL CHAMBER | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | REPOPULATION ENDEAVOR |
| TECH BELT ENERGY INNOVATION CENTER | WARREN, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | BRITE EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| YOUNG WOMENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | STEAM SUMMER CAMPS |
| POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | HS SENSORY ROOM |
| HEART REACH NEIGHBORHOOD | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | SUPER KIDS |
| YOUNGSTOWN PLAYHOUSE | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | 2024 YOUTH THEATRE PROGRAM |
| YMCA OF YOUNGSTOWN | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $7,500 | 2024 | LIVESTRONG |
| INSPIRING MINDS | CLEVELAND, OH | $7,000 | 2024 | YOUNGSTOWN YOUTH ENRICHMENT |
| COMPASS FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $6,154 | 2024 | SOJOURNER HOUSE |
| BEATITUDE HOUSE | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $6,154 | 2024 | SCHOLARS PROGRAM |
| ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAM OF OHIO | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $5,000 | 2024 | EVERYONE PLAYS SUMMER CAMP |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF MAHONING VALLEY OHIO | GIRARD, OH | $5,000 | 2024 | JA K-12 PROGRAMS |
COMMUNITY CORPORATION UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN
$40,000SUCCESS BY & AFTER 6 &
AKRON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
$31,886GENERAL PURPOSE
MERCY HEALTH FDN
$31,886GENERAL SUPPORT
SALVATION ARMY
$26,000EMERGENCY SOCIAL SERVICES
YOUNGSTOWN AREA JEWISH FEDERATION
$25,000EARLY LEARNING CENTER
THE YOUNGSTOWN EDISON INCUBATOR
$15,000YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP
AMERICAN RED CROSS GREATER AKRON
$15,000MAHONING VALLEY HOME FIRE
YMCA OF YOUNGSTOWN
$15,000FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
AKIVA ACADEMY
$15,000WELL-ROUNDED EDUCATION
RESCUE MISSION OF MAHONING VALLEY
$10,588CLIENT ASSISTANCE
HEART REACH NEIGHBORHOOD
$10,000SUPER KIDS
OHIO URBAN RENAISSANCE
$10,000ICAN AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM
HUMILITY OF MARY HOUSING
$10,000SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS ECCC
YOUNGSTOWN AREA GOODWILL INC
$10,000CLIENT SUPPORT/VOUCHERS
BUTLER INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN ART
$10,000BOILER REPLACEMENT PROJECT
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
$10,000STRUCTURED TEACHING
TRUMBULL AND EASTER SEALS
$10,000AUTISM DIAGNOSTIC CLINIC
KOOL BOIZ FOUNDATION
$10,000MENTORING PROGRAM
SMARTS Students Motivated by the Arts
$7,500ARTS EDUCATION UNDERSERVED
YOUNGSTOWN PLAYHOUSE
$7,500YOUTH THEATRE PROGRAM 2025
ALL CHILDREN LEARN DIFFERENTLY
$7,500AFTERSCHOOL INTERVENTION
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF MAHONING VALLEY OHIO
$5,000JA K-12 PROGRAMS
NATIONAL SOCIETY TO PREVENT BLINDNESS
$5,000MAHONING VALLEY OUTREACH
GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTH EAST
$5,000JOURNEYS IN YOUNGSTOWN
MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION OF GREATER OHIO
$5,000WISHES MAHONING/TRUMBULL
1ST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$2,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE UNITED WAY OF YOMAH VALLEY
$2,000GENERAL OPERATING
YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$2,000GENERAL SUPPPORT
AKRON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
$30,861GENERAL PURPOSE
MERCY HEALTH FDN
$30,861GENERAL SUPPORT
SALVATION ARMY
$21,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COLEMAN HEALTH SERVICES
$20,000GAP FUNDING FOR HOMELESS
THE YOUNGSTOWN EDISON INCUBATOR
$20,000YBI YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP
AKIVA ACADEMY
$15,000EDUCATION PROGRAM
HUMILITY OF MARY HOUSING
$12,584EMMANUEL ROOF REPLACEMENT
AMERICAN RED CROSS GREATER AKRON
$11,700MAHONING VALLEY BLOOD
SIGHT FOR ALL
$10,000EYE SEE AGAIN PROJECT
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES
$10,000STAR CORNER - YOUNGSTOWN
YOUNGSTOWN WARREN REGIONAL CHAMBER
$10,000REPOPULATION ENDEAVOR
TECH BELT ENERGY INNOVATION CENTER
$10,000BRITE EDUCATION PROGRAM
YOUNG WOMENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
$10,000STEAM SUMMER CAMPS
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
$10,000HS SENSORY ROOM
HEART REACH NEIGHBORHOOD
$10,000SUPER KIDS
YOUNGSTOWN PLAYHOUSE
$10,0002024 YOUTH THEATRE PROGRAM
YMCA OF YOUNGSTOWN
$7,500LIVESTRONG
INSPIRING MINDS
$7,000YOUNGSTOWN YOUTH ENRICHMENT
COMPASS FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES
$6,154SOJOURNER HOUSE
BEATITUDE HOUSE
$6,154SCHOLARS PROGRAM
ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAM OF OHIO
$5,000EVERYONE PLAYS SUMMER CAMP
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF MAHONING VALLEY OHIO
$5,000JA K-12 PROGRAMS