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
$280M
$185.3M
$5.7M
Most grants fall between $29K and $75K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$29K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$75K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
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.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YOUNG LIFE SOUTHWIND CAMP | OCKLAWAHA, FL | $400,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW CLUB ROOM FOR 450 CAMPERS AND LEADERS. |
| PALMA CEIA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | TAMPA, FL | $350,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE BETHLEHEM AND DIGITAL MINISTRIES AND FUNDS TO RESTORE HURRICANE-DAMAGED INFRASTRUCTURE AND MODERNIZE PCPC'S FACILITIES IN PREPARATION FOR ITS CENTENNIAL YEAR AND FUTURE GROWTH. |
| THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF LAKELAND INC | LAKELAND, FL | $325,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMMING FOR THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND NEIGHBORHOOD MINISTRIES. |
| YMCA OF WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA | LAKELAND, FL | $318,750 | 2026 | CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE - CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| WELLSPRING LIVING | ATLANTA, GA | $318,750 | 2026 | THE WELCOME HOME CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL OF TAMPA FL | TAMPA, FL | $310,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN & FINANCIAL AID NEEDY STUDENTS |
| ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL PARISH DAY SCHOOL INC | TAMPA, FL | $300,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 92,000 SQ. FT FACILITY. INCLUDING, SPACIOUS CLASSROOMS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO SUPPORT INNOVATIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING, AS WELL AS, DEDICATED OUTDOOR SPACES FOR PLAY, EXPANSION OF PERFORMING ARTS AND STEM. |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA | $300,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR BUILDING RENOVATION AND EXPANSION. |
| VISION ATLANTA | ROBERTA, GA | $250,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT 100 URBAN UNDER-SERVED CHILDREN AND YOUTH TO PARTICIPATE IN A WEEK OF OVERNIGHT CAMP |
| GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | NORCROSS, GA | $250,000 | 2026 | EQUIP THE MEDIA AND BUSINESS INNOVATION CENTER IN THE NEW STUDENT LEARNING COMMONS WITH TECHNOLOGY, AV RESOURCES, AND FURNISHINGS |
| THE VASHTI CENTER INC | THOMASVILLE, GA | $210,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE $25 MILLION DOLLAR CAMPAIGN PLAN. |
| HOPE ACADEMY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $200,000 | 2026 | HOPE ACADEMY EXPANSION |
| BROOKWOOD SCHOOL INC | THOMASVILLE, GA | $200,000 | 2026 | ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR DINING HALL PROJECT |
| WESLEYAN SCHOOL INC | PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA | $200,000 | 2026 | YOUNG HALL CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| ATLANTA YOUTH ACADEMY | ATLANTA, GA | $200,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE - SCHOOL EXPANSION |
| FLORIDA BAPTIST CHILDREN'S HOMES AND ONE MORE CHILD | LAKELAND, FL | $125,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE SINGLE MOMS PROGRAM |
| WESLEYAN COLLEGE | MACON, GA | $125,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT 2 FULL-TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS TO CHRISTIAN WOMEN WITH FINANCIAL NEED TO THRIVE ACADEMICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY. |
| CHEROKEE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS INC | WOODSTOCK, GA | $115,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT CAMPUS AND FACILITY IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVE. |
| DREAM CENTER OF LAKELAND | LAKELAND, FL | $100,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PARKER STREET MINISTRIES INC | LAKELAND, FL | $85,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| YOUNG LIFE | TAMPA, FL | $85,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT INCREASING THE CAPACITY OF THE CURRENT STAFF |
| KIDZ2LEADERS | MARIETTA, GA | $80,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| THOMASVILLE FIRST METHODIST CHURCH | THOMASVILLE, GA | $75,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE ONGOING ACTIVITIES OF THE YOUTH ACTIVITIES CENTER |
| ADVENTURES OF THE HEART MINISTRIES INC | NORCROSS, GA | $70,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| EAGLE RANCH | CHESTNUT MOUNTAIN, GA | $70,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | THOMASVILLE, GA | $65,000 | 2026 | TO SUSTAIN RECENT CHURCH MEMBERSHIP GROWTH BY HIRING AN ASSISTANT PASTOR |
| EPWORTH BY THE SEA | ST SIMONS ISLAND, GA | $60,000 | 2026 | TO PURCHASE FOOD SERVICE EQUIPMENT AND REINFORCING CONCRETE PILINGS AT FISHING PIER. |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES | ATLANTA, GA | $60,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAMMING FOR BASEBALL, BASKETBALL, AND SOCCER LEAGUES IN 2025 |
| ATHLETES IN ACTION - ULTIMATE TRAINING CAMP | KNOXVILLE, TN | $55,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUMMER CAMPS |
| ATLAS MINISTRY INC | GREENSBORO, GA | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE CHRISTIAN LEARNING CENTER (CLC) PROGRAM |
| METCALFE INDEPENDENT CHURCH 229 | THOMASVILLE, GA | $50,000 | 2026 | FINAL SUPPORT FOR THE CASH RESERVE FUND FOR THE ONGOING CHURCH MAINTENANCE PROJECTS. |
| PROMISE686 | PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE MOBILIZATION OF CHURCHES CARING FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN. |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES - SOUTH DIVISION STAFF MOBILIZATION | ATLANTA, GA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| DESIRE STREET MINISTRIES | ATLANTA, GA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| THE GATHERING PLACE | THOMASVILLE, GA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION & YOUTH CENTER OF THOMASVILLE INC | THOMASVILLE, GA | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THOMASVILLE YMCA'S COMMITMENT TO ENHANCING LIVES THROUGH YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHY LIVING, AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. |
| CEDARBROOK OUTREACH | KNOXVILLE, TN | $45,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ROCK BRANCH BAPTIST CHURCH | ELBERTON, GA | $45,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE DYNAMIC YOUTH DISCIPLESHIP PROJECT TO EXPAND THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRIES. |
| LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY RETREAT | ALPHARETTA, GA | $40,000 | 2026 | TO HOST 49 FAMILIES FROM THE SE REGION WHO ARE LIVING THROUGH CHILDHOOD CANCER AND 11 FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST A CHILD TO CANCER |
| YOUTH OUTREACH UNITED | LAWRENCEVILLE, GA | $40,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PACT MINISTRY | COLUMBIA, SC | $30,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT CERTIFICATION TRAINING FOR VETERAN YOUTH PASTORS |
| NORTH GEORGIA CAMP AND RETREAT MINISTRIES INC | DAHLONEGA, GA | $30,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| YOUNG LIFE POLK COUNTY | LAKELAND, FL | $30,000 | 2026 | TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF THE MS-WYLDLIFE MINISTRY BY FUNDING A PART TIME WYLDLIFE DIRECTOR |
| SMOKE RISE BAPTIST CHURCH | STONE MOUNTAIN, GA | $25,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH ON-SITE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND A FAMILY COUNSELING CENTER. |
| METRO ATLANTA YOUTH FOR CHRIST | NORCROSS, GA | $25,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| REBUILD TAMPA | TAMPA, FL | $21,500 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT A SUMMER WORKSFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAM THAT ENABLES UNDER RESOURCED STUDENTS |
| CHRIST HARBOR UNITED METHODIST | NORTHPORT, AL | $20,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE LAUNCH OF A SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP WITH SCHOOL MINISTRIES ALABAMA |
| LAKE POINT CHURCH | EMERSON, GA | $15,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE CHRISTIAN DAYCARE STARTUP SUPPLIES & MISSION CHRISTMAS. |
| MARY HALL FREEDOM VILLAGE INC | SANDY SPRINGS, GA | $10,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE INNOVATIVE MINDS SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM |
| ATHLETES IN ACTION | XENIA, OH | $6,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
YOUNG LIFE SOUTHWIND CAMP
$400,000TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW CLUB ROOM FOR 450 CAMPERS AND LEADERS.
PALMA CEIA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$350,000TO SUPPORT THE BETHLEHEM AND DIGITAL MINISTRIES AND FUNDS TO RESTORE HURRICANE-DAMAGED INFRASTRUCTURE AND MODERNIZE PCPC'S FACILITIES IN PREPARATION FOR ITS CENTENNIAL YEAR AND FUTURE GROWTH.
THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF LAKELAND INC
$325,000TO SUPPORT YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMMING FOR THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND NEIGHBORHOOD MINISTRIES.
YMCA OF WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA
$318,750CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE - CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
WELLSPRING LIVING
$318,750THE WELCOME HOME CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL OF TAMPA FL
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN & FINANCIAL AID NEEDY STUDENTS
ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL PARISH DAY SCHOOL INC
$300,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 92,000 SQ. FT FACILITY. INCLUDING, SPACIOUS CLASSROOMS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO SUPPORT INNOVATIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING, AS WELL AS, DEDICATED OUTDOOR SPACES FOR PLAY, EXPANSION OF PERFORMING ARTS AND STEM.
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
$300,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR BUILDING RENOVATION AND EXPANSION.
VISION ATLANTA
$250,000TO SUPPORT 100 URBAN UNDER-SERVED CHILDREN AND YOUTH TO PARTICIPATE IN A WEEK OF OVERNIGHT CAMP
GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
$250,000EQUIP THE MEDIA AND BUSINESS INNOVATION CENTER IN THE NEW STUDENT LEARNING COMMONS WITH TECHNOLOGY, AV RESOURCES, AND FURNISHINGS
THE VASHTI CENTER INC
$210,000TO SUPPORT THE $25 MILLION DOLLAR CAMPAIGN PLAN.
BROOKWOOD SCHOOL INC
$200,000ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR DINING HALL PROJECT
ATLANTA YOUTH ACADEMY
$200,000CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE - SCHOOL EXPANSION
FLORIDA BAPTIST CHILDREN'S HOMES AND ONE MORE CHILD
$125,000TO SUPPORT THE SINGLE MOMS PROGRAM
TO SUPPORT 2 FULL-TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS TO CHRISTIAN WOMEN WITH FINANCIAL NEED TO THRIVE ACADEMICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY.
CHEROKEE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS INC
$115,000TO SUPPORT CAMPUS AND FACILITY IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVE.
DREAM CENTER OF LAKELAND
$100,000UNRESTRICTED
THOMASVILLE FIRST METHODIST CHURCH
$75,000TO SUPPORT THE ONGOING ACTIVITIES OF THE YOUTH ACTIVITIES CENTER
ADVENTURES OF THE HEART MINISTRIES INC
$70,000UNRESTRICTED
EAGLE RANCH
$70,000UNRESTRICTED
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$65,000TO SUSTAIN RECENT CHURCH MEMBERSHIP GROWTH BY HIRING AN ASSISTANT PASTOR
EPWORTH BY THE SEA
$60,000TO PURCHASE FOOD SERVICE EQUIPMENT AND REINFORCING CONCRETE PILINGS AT FISHING PIER.
TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAMMING FOR BASEBALL, BASKETBALL, AND SOCCER LEAGUES IN 2025
ATHLETES IN ACTION - ULTIMATE TRAINING CAMP
$55,000TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUMMER CAMPS
METCALFE INDEPENDENT CHURCH 229
$50,000FINAL SUPPORT FOR THE CASH RESERVE FUND FOR THE ONGOING CHURCH MAINTENANCE PROJECTS.
TO SUPPORT THE MOBILIZATION OF CHURCHES CARING FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN.
FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES - SOUTH DIVISION STAFF MOBILIZATION
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
THE GATHERING PLACE
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION & YOUTH CENTER OF THOMASVILLE INC
$50,000TO SUPPORT THOMASVILLE YMCA'S COMMITMENT TO ENHANCING LIVES THROUGH YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHY LIVING, AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.
CEDARBROOK OUTREACH
$45,000UNRESTRICTED
ROCK BRANCH BAPTIST CHURCH
$45,000TO SUPPORT THE DYNAMIC YOUTH DISCIPLESHIP PROJECT TO EXPAND THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRIES.
TO HOST 49 FAMILIES FROM THE SE REGION WHO ARE LIVING THROUGH CHILDHOOD CANCER AND 11 FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST A CHILD TO CANCER
YOUTH OUTREACH UNITED
$40,000UNRESTRICTED
PACT MINISTRY
$30,000TO SUPPORT CERTIFICATION TRAINING FOR VETERAN YOUTH PASTORS
NORTH GEORGIA CAMP AND RETREAT MINISTRIES INC
$30,000UNRESTRICTED
YOUNG LIFE POLK COUNTY
$30,000TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF THE MS-WYLDLIFE MINISTRY BY FUNDING A PART TIME WYLDLIFE DIRECTOR
SMOKE RISE BAPTIST CHURCH
$25,000TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH ON-SITE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND A FAMILY COUNSELING CENTER.
METRO ATLANTA YOUTH FOR CHRIST
$25,000UNRESTRICTED
REBUILD TAMPA
$21,500TO SUPPORT A SUMMER WORKSFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAM THAT ENABLES UNDER RESOURCED STUDENTS
CHRIST HARBOR UNITED METHODIST
$20,000TO SUPPORT THE LAUNCH OF A SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP WITH SCHOOL MINISTRIES ALABAMA
LAKE POINT CHURCH
$15,000TO SUPPORT THE CHRISTIAN DAYCARE STARTUP SUPPLIES & MISSION CHRISTMAS.
TO SUPPORT THE INNOVATIVE MINDS SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
ATHLETES IN ACTION
$6,000UNRESTRICTED