The Watkins Christian Foundation concentrates its giving on faith-based K–12 education and church capital needs, favoring large gifts for building projects, expansions, and student financial aid. Most grants support religiously affiliated schools and a local church, often designated for capital campaigns or scholarship funds. Giving appears targeted geographically to the Southeast (notably Florida) and emphasizes strengthening physical facilities and access to faith-based education.
Watkins Christian Foundation Inc. gives repeatedly to faith-based schools, churches, and youth ministries, with many of its largest grants tied to buildings, renovations, and student support. In 2025, its single largest recent gift was $550,000 to Jesuit High School of Tampa FL for a capital campaign and financial aid for needy students, pairing facility funding with access support. Other large awards show the same pattern: $400,000 to Cornerstone Christian Academy for a building renovation and expansion campaign, and $400,000 to Hope Academy for expansion. The foundation also backs church-centered work, including ongoing support for The First United Methodist Church of Lakeland Inc across multiple years and grants for digital worship, inclusive congregation work, and neighborhood ministries. Camp and youth-serving organizations appear as well, often for dining halls, kitchens, chaplaincy, or scholarship access. Across the recent grants list, the common thread is capital support for religious education and ministry infrastructure rather than small project grants.
Faith-based K–12 education is a core theme. Watkins Christian Foundation Inc. gave $400,000 to Cornerstone Christian Academy for a capital campaign for building renovation and expansion, and $200,000 to St Johns Episcopal Parish Day School Inc. for construction of a 90,000-square-foot academic facility. Student aid also appears alongside school support, as shown by the $550,000 grant to Jesuit High School of Tampa FL for financial aid for needy students. Church and ministry infrastructure is another clear line of giving. Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church received $150,000 for the Bethlehem inclusive congregation and digital worship and faith outreach. Camp and youth programming also receives support, including $325,000 to The First United Methodist Church of Lakeland Inc. for year-round programming for children, youth, and neighborhood ministries tied to youth camp scholarships.
Typical grants cluster in the mid-five-figure to low-six-figure range, with p25 at $28,750, a median of $50,000, and p75 at $75,000. The recent record shows repeated support for several recipients across multiple years, including The First United Methodist Church of Lakeland Inc., Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church, Young Life, Brookwood School Inc., and Archbold Foundation Inc. The foundation is a staffed grantmaker rather than a DAF, with annual giving of $12,038,810 and assets of $102,325,216. Funding is largely project-based, often labeled for capital campaigns, renovations, expansion, general support, or restricted program needs. The foundation also funds individuals, which aligns with its support for student financial aid and scholarships.
$4M
$102.3M
$14.6M
$5.3M
Most grants fall between $29K and $75K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$29K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$75K
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Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small number of recipients, often repeating payments to the same organizations and targeted toward capital campaigns, expansions, and financial aid rather than many small operating grants.
Notable grantees: The First United Methodist Church of Lakeland, Inc., Jesuit High School of Tampa, FL, Hope Academy, Cornerstone Christian Academy
Grantmaking is concentrated in the Southeast, especially Georgia and Florida, with 58% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state of Georgia. Atlanta, Tampa, Thomasville, Lakeland, and Peachtree Corners appear repeatedly in the recent grants list, and several awards also go to other U.S. locations such as Minneapolis and Harlan. The top state by grant count is Georgia, but Florida also receives a large share of awards, especially for schools, churches, and youth ministries. Every recent grant in the dataset is to a U.S. recipient.
The recent grants show support for faith-based schools, churches, youth ministries, and camp-related organizations. Examples include Jesuit High School of Tampa FL for a capital campaign and financial aid, The First United Methodist Church of Lakeland Inc. for year-round programming and youth camp scholarships, and Young Life for camp facilities and general support.
Yes. Capital work appears often in the recent grants list, including $400,000 to Cornerstone Christian Academy for building renovation and expansion, $200,000 to St Johns Episcopal Parish Day School Inc. for a new academic facility, and $200,000 to Brookwood School Inc. for a dining hall project.
The distribution centers in the five-figure range: p25 is $28,750, the median is $50,000, and p75 is $75,000. The recent list also includes several six-figure awards, such as $150,000 and $200,000 grants.
Georgia is the top state by grant count, with 58% of grants going to recipients there. Florida is also prominent, and the recent grants list includes repeated awards in Tampa, Lakeland, and other Florida cities.
Yes. The foundation funds individuals, and the grant list includes student aid support, such as the $550,000 award to Jesuit High School of Tampa FL for financial aid for needy students.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL OF TAMPA FL | TAMPA, FL | $550,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN & FINANCIAL AID NEEDY STUDENTS |
| HOPE ACADEMY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $400,000 | 2025 | HOPE ACADEMY EXPANSION |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA | $400,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR BUILDING RENOVATION AND EXPANSION. |
| THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF LAKELAND INC | LAKELAND, FL | $325,000 | 2025 | 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. |
| BROOKWOOD SCHOOL INC | THOMASVILLE, GA | $200,000 | 2025 | ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR DINING HALL PROJECT |
| PALMA CEIA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | TAMPA, FL | $150,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE BETHLEHEM INCLUSIVE AND DIGITAL ACCESS MINISTRIES |
| VASHTI CENTER INC | THOMASVILLE, GA | $130,000 | 2025 | CHAPLAIN/BISHOP HALL ROOF |
| METCALFE INDEPENDENT CHURCH 229 | THOMASVILLE, GA | $100,000 | 2025 | FINAL SUPPORT FOR THE CASH RESERVE FUND FOR THE ONGOING CHURCH MAINTENANCE PROJECTS. |
| YOUNG LIFE | TAMPA, FL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | NORCROSS, GA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE QUIET PHASE OF THE LIGHT THE WAY CAMPAIGN |
| CITY OF REFUGE INC | ATLANTA, GA | $100,000 | 2025 | CITY SCHOOL EXPANSION |
| PARKER STREET MINISTRIES INC | LAKELAND, FL | $82,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ADVENTURES OF THE HEART MINISTRIES INC | NORCROSS, GA | $80,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SHEPHERD'S HILL ACADEMY INC | MARTIN, GA | $75,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHEPHERD'S HILL ACADEMY'S NEW CAMPUS |
| EAGLE RANCH | CHESTNUT MOUNTAIN, GA | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| VOLUNTEERS IN SERVICE TO THE ELDERLY (VISTE) | LAKELAND, FL | $75,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT |
| FLORIDA BAPTIST CHILDREN'S HOMES AND ONE MORE CHILD | LAKELAND, FL | $75,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE SINGLE MOMS PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES PREVENTATIVE SERVICES TO SINGLE MOMS AND THEIR CHILDREN. |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES - SOUTH DIVISION STAFF MOBILIZATION | ATLANTA, GA | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE GATHERING PLACE | THOMASVILLE, GA | $60,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL OPERATIONS OF THE GATHERING PLACE - THOMASVILLE. |
| EPWORTH BY THE SEA | ST SIMONS ISLAND, GA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY RETREAT | ALPHARETTA, GA | $50,000 | 2025 | TO HOST 121 FAMILIES FROM THE SE REGION WHO ARE LIVING THROUGH CHILDHOOD CANCER ON WEEK-LONG AND WEEKEND RETREATS. |
| SMOKE RISE BAPTIST CHURCH | STONE MOUNTAIN, GA | $50,000 | 2025 | ON-SITE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES |
| VISION ATLANTA INC | BUFORD, GA | $50,000 | 2025 | ACADEMIC CENTER BUILDING |
| ATHLETES IN ACTION - ULTIMATE TRAINING CAMP | KNOXVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE STAFF NEEDED TO IMPLEMENT THE CAMPS IN CURRENT LOCATIONS |
| YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION & YOUTH CENTER OF THOMASVILLE INC | THOMASVILLE, GA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES | ATLANTA, GA | $50,000 | 2025 | SUMMER SPORTS LEAGUES, CAMPS AND MISSION TRIPS |
| KIDZ2LEADERS | MARIETTA, GA | $50,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE 2024 HOPE SUMMER CAMPS |
| YOUTH OUTREACH UNITED | LAWRENCEVILLE, GA | $40,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MINISTRY OUTREACH |
| CEDARBROOK OUTREACH | KNOXVILLE, TN | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PACT MINISTRY | COLUMBIA, SC | $38,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE CERTIFICATION TRAINING FOR VETERAN STUDENT PASTORS |
| PEACE RIVER CENTER FOR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENTINC | BARTOW, FL | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LIONHEART LIFE CENTER INC | ALPHARETTA, GA | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| METRO ATLANTA YOUTH FOR CHRIST | NORCROSS, GA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| YOUNG LIFE MURFREESBORO | MURFREESBORO, TN | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ATLAS MINISTRY INC | GREENSBORO, GA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NORTH GEORGIA CAMP AND RETREAT MINISTRIES INC | DAHLONEGA, GA | $25,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL OPERATIONS OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM |
| CHRIST HARBOR UNITED METHODIST | NORTHPORT, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE | CARROLLTON, GA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SPREADING HOPE NETWORK | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $20,000 | 2025 | NEW SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT - MINISTRY EXPANSION |
| RADICAL LIFE MINISTRIES | KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, FL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| YOUNG LIFE POLK COUNTY | LAKELAND, FL | $17,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LAKE POINT CHURCH | EMERSON, GA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MARY HALL FREEDOM VILLAGE INC | SANDY SPRINGS, GA | $15,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE INNOVATIVE MINDS SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM |
| ATHLETES IN ACTION | XENIA, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HEART 2 HEART MINISTRIES FOR HIM INC | CUMMING, GA | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF LAKELAND INC | LAKELAND, FL | $325,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL PARISH DAY SCHOOL INC | TAMPA, FL | $200,000 | 2024 | ST. JOHN'S CAPITAL CAMPAIGN 2024 - 2026: A PLACE TO GROW. TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 90,000 SQUARE FOOT ACADEMIC FACILITY. ADDING MORE GREEN SPACE, STATE OF THE ART SPACIOUS CLASSROOMS, LABS AND MEETING SPACES FOR STEM, ROBOTICS AND PERFORMING ARTS. |
| YOUNG LIFE - TAMPA | TAMPA, FL | $170,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PALMA CEIA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | TAMPA, FL | $150,000 | 2024 | THE BETHLEHEM INCLUSIVE CONGREGATION EXPANSION ($75,000), AND THE DIGITAL WORSHIP AND FAITH OUTREACH ($75,000). |
| YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA INC | LAKELAND, FL | $150,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE LAKELAND FAMILY YMCA - CENTER FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT ENLARGEMENT, RENOVATION AND ENHANCEMENT |
JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL OF TAMPA FL
$550,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN & FINANCIAL AID NEEDY STUDENTS
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
$400,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR BUILDING RENOVATION AND EXPANSION.
THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF LAKELAND INC
$325,000TO 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.
BROOKWOOD SCHOOL INC
$200,000ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR DINING HALL PROJECT
PALMA CEIA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
TO SUPPORT THE BETHLEHEM INCLUSIVE AND DIGITAL ACCESS MINISTRIES
VASHTI CENTER INC
$130,000CHAPLAIN/BISHOP HALL ROOF
METCALFE INDEPENDENT CHURCH 229
$100,000FINAL SUPPORT FOR THE CASH RESERVE FUND FOR THE ONGOING CHURCH MAINTENANCE PROJECTS.
YOUNG LIFE
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
$100,000TO SUPPORT THE QUIET PHASE OF THE LIGHT THE WAY CAMPAIGN
ADVENTURES OF THE HEART MINISTRIES INC
$80,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHEPHERD'S HILL ACADEMY'S NEW CAMPUS
EAGLE RANCH
$75,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FLORIDA BAPTIST CHILDREN'S HOMES AND ONE MORE CHILD
$75,000TO SUPPORT THE SINGLE MOMS PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES PREVENTATIVE SERVICES TO SINGLE MOMS AND THEIR CHILDREN.
FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES - SOUTH DIVISION STAFF MOBILIZATION
$75,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE GATHERING PLACE
$60,000TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL OPERATIONS OF THE GATHERING PLACE - THOMASVILLE.
EPWORTH BY THE SEA
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
TO HOST 121 FAMILIES FROM THE SE REGION WHO ARE LIVING THROUGH CHILDHOOD CANCER ON WEEK-LONG AND WEEKEND RETREATS.
SMOKE RISE BAPTIST CHURCH
$50,000ON-SITE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
VISION ATLANTA INC
$50,000ACADEMIC CENTER BUILDING
ATHLETES IN ACTION - ULTIMATE TRAINING CAMP
$50,000TO SUPPORT THE STAFF NEEDED TO IMPLEMENT THE CAMPS IN CURRENT LOCATIONS
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION & YOUTH CENTER OF THOMASVILLE INC
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES
$50,000SUMMER SPORTS LEAGUES, CAMPS AND MISSION TRIPS
KIDZ2LEADERS
$50,000TO SUPPORT THE 2024 HOPE SUMMER CAMPS
YOUTH OUTREACH UNITED
$40,000TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MINISTRY OUTREACH
CEDARBROOK OUTREACH
$40,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PACT MINISTRY
$38,000TO SUPPORT THE CERTIFICATION TRAINING FOR VETERAN STUDENT PASTORS
PEACE RIVER CENTER FOR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENTINC
$35,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LIONHEART LIFE CENTER INC
$35,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
METRO ATLANTA YOUTH FOR CHRIST
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
YOUNG LIFE MURFREESBORO
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NORTH GEORGIA CAMP AND RETREAT MINISTRIES INC
$25,000TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL OPERATIONS OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM
CHRIST HARBOR UNITED METHODIST
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SPREADING HOPE NETWORK
$20,000NEW SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT - MINISTRY EXPANSION
RADICAL LIFE MINISTRIES
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
YOUNG LIFE POLK COUNTY
$17,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LAKE POINT CHURCH
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
TO SUPPORT THE INNOVATIVE MINDS SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
ATHLETES IN ACTION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HEART 2 HEART MINISTRIES FOR HIM INC
$7,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF LAKELAND INC
$325,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL PARISH DAY SCHOOL INC
$200,000ST. JOHN'S CAPITAL CAMPAIGN 2024 - 2026: A PLACE TO GROW. TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 90,000 SQUARE FOOT ACADEMIC FACILITY. ADDING MORE GREEN SPACE, STATE OF THE ART SPACIOUS CLASSROOMS, LABS AND MEETING SPACES FOR STEM, ROBOTICS AND PERFORMING ARTS.
YOUNG LIFE - TAMPA
$170,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PALMA CEIA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$150,000THE BETHLEHEM INCLUSIVE CONGREGATION EXPANSION ($75,000), AND THE DIGITAL WORSHIP AND FAITH OUTREACH ($75,000).
YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA INC
$150,000TO SUPPORT THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE LAKELAND FAMILY YMCA - CENTER FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT ENLARGEMENT, RENOVATION AND ENHANCEMENT