Waitt Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Waitt Foundation is a private foundation in North Sioux City, South Dakota. In tax year 2024 it gave $9.9 million in 42 grants; the typical grant was $1,290 and the largest $7.1 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$9.9 million
- Number of grants42
- Typical grant$1,290
- Largest grant$7.1 million
- Assets$136 million
- New grantees68%
Giving in 2024 was down from $10.2 million the year before.
68% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $10.2 million | 30 | $136 million |
| 2024 | $9.9 million | 42 | $136 million |
How to apply
Waitt Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Waitt Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 11 states, the most to South Dakota. It also paid $437,897 in 9 grants to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | 1 | $7.1 million |
| California | 16 | $1.7 million |
| District of Columbia | 3 | $450,052 |
| Virginia | 2 | $153,427 |
| Iowa | 5 | $11,100 |
| Alabama | 1 | $10,000 |
| Colorado | 1 | $721 |
| Illinois | 1 | $650 |
| Maryland | 1 | $500 |
| Idaho | 1 | $101 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Waitt Institute | Ocean conservation | $7.1 million |
| Bren School of Environmental Science & Management (Ucsb) | Ocean conservation | $692,444 |
| Seasketch | Ocean conservation | $600,366 |
| Oceano Azul Foundation | Ocean conservation | $300,000 |
| Regents of the University of California- SD | Ocean conservation | $275,000 |
| The University of Queensland | Ocean conservation | $250,000 |
| Global Fishing Watch | Ocean conservation | $200,000 |
| Conservation International Foundation | Ocean conservation | $153,377 |
| Sustainable Ocean Alliance | Ocean conservation | $100,000 |
| Barbudango | Ocean conservation | $30,000 |
| Unyt Uto Ni Yalo Trust | Ocean conservation | $25,000 |
| Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute Buei | Rapid ocean conservation grant | $20,000 |
| Macquarie University | Rapid ocean conservation grant | $20,000 |
| Micronesia Conservation Trust | Rapid ocean conservation grant | $20,000 |
| Ocean Foundation | Rapid ocean conservation grant | $15,000 |
| Kulturecity | General support through employee match program | $10,000 |
| The University of the South Pacific Institute of Applied Sciences | Ocean conservation | $7,397 |
| St Luke's Children's Miracle Network | General support through employee match program | $4,000 |
| Siouxland Humane Society | General support through employee match program | $2,800 |
| Food Bank of Siouxland | General support through employee match program | $1,800 |
| Crittenton Center | General support through employee match program | $1,500 |
| Inner City Law Center | General support through employee match program | $1,080 |
| People Assisting the Homeless | General support through employee match program | $1,030 |
| Ancient and Effervescent Order of the Little Yellow Dog | General support through employee match program | $1,000 |
| Homeboy Industries | General support through employee match program | $1,000 |
| International Community Foundation | General support through employee match program | $837 |
| Native American Rights Foundation | General support through employee match program | $721 |
| Ronald McDonald House Charities | General support through employee match program | $650 |
| Doctors Without Borders USA Inc | General support through employee match program | $500 |
| Wows Kids Fiji | General support through employee match program | $500 |
| Public Media Group of Southern California | General support through employee match program | $180 |
| Mercury San Diego Track & Field | General support through employee match program | $150 |
| KCRW Foundation Inc | General support through employee match program | $120 |
| KPBS San Diego State University Research Foundation | General support through employee match program | $120 |
| Southern California Public Radio | General support through employee match program | $120 |
| Mercury San Diego Track & Field | General support through employee match program | $101 |
| Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Inc | General support through employee match program | $100 |
| La Colonia de Eden Gardens Foundation | General support through employee match program | $52 |
| Rancho Coastal Humane Society | General support through employee match program | $52 |
| Wikimedia Foundation Inc | General support through employee match program | $52 |
Officers and trustees
- Hailey Waitt
- Shane Hartnett
- Max Waitt
- David Stoos
- Josh Sherer
- Dave Russell
- Theodore W Waitt
- Cherie Prothro-Shea
Questions people ask
Does Waitt Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Waitt Foundation give?
$9.9 million in tax year 2024, across 42 grants, with a typical grant of $1,290.
Who runs Waitt Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Hailey Waitt (Director), Shane Hartnett (Director), Max Waitt (Director) and David Stoos (Secretary) among 8 officers and trustees.
What does Waitt Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly environment and conservation, education and international.