Foundations that fund organizations in Watertown, South Dakota
Worked out from where the grants went, not where the foundations sit.
Funding landscape for Watertown nonprofits
29 private foundations gave $862K to Watertown organizations in their latest filings; 19 of the 29 that say either way accept applications.
59 grants in total, with a typical foundation's median grant to Watertown around $3,500. 9 of these funders are based in South Dakota; the rest give here from elsewhere.
- Foundations giving here
- 29
- Accept applications
- 19
- of 29 that state a policy
- Dollars to Watertown
- $862K
- latest filings
- Grants
- 59
- Typical median grant
- $3,500
- Based in SD
- 31%
- of funders listed
Funders, by dollars given to Watertown organizations
| Foundation | Based in | Grants here | Dollars here | Median | Accepts applications | Typical purposes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chs Foundation | Inver Grove Heights, MN | 2 | $243K | $122K | Yes | Latc commodity risk management lab; 2025/26 university partner program |
| Engels Family Foundation | Watertown, SD | 6 | $201K | $8,628 | Preselected only | Football stadium facility support; Build it now campaign; Program support |
| Daniel Cowles Charitable Foundation | New York, NY | 1 | $96K | $96K | Preselected only | In support of organization's mission |
| Edward L Schwab Memorial Foundation Dacotah Bank | Aberdeen, SD | 1 | $69K | $69K | Yes | Scholarships |
| First Interstate Bancsystem Foundation Inc | Billings, MT | 9 | $66K | $3,500 | Yes | General Operating Support; Volunteer Day Project |
| Valley Queen Charitable Foundation | Milbank, SD | 8 | $45K | $1,500 | Yes | Donation |
| LA Amundson Ohana Foundation | Sleepy Eye, MN | 1 | $28K | $28K | Yes | Scholarship |
| Sutphin Family Foundation Ica | Pittsburgh, PA | 1 | $25K | $25K | Yes | General support |
| Messer Family Foundation | Watertown, SD | 6 | $13K | $2,109 | Preselected only | Program services; Nursing scholarships; Scholarship program |
| The Robert and Rita Elmen Foundation | Sioux Falls, SD | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | Operating |
| Sheldon F Reese Foundation | Sioux Falls, SD | 1 | $10K | $10K | Yes | General assistance |
| The Graco Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | Scholarships |
| Zimmer Biomet Foundation Inc | Warsaw, IN | 1 | $7,500 | $7,500 | Yes | General support for building healthy communities |
| Xcel Energy Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | 1 | $7,000 | $7,000 | Yes | Stem career pathways |
| Durnill Charitable Trust | Eagan, MN | 1 | $6,935 | $6,935 | Yes | Scholarships |
| Stillman Family Charitable Foundation | Lancaster, PA | 1 | $6,000 | $6,000 | Preselected only | In support of general operations |
| The Chesterman Family Foundation | Sioux City, IA | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | To further programs of the organization |
| Edward Jones Foundation | St Louis, MO | 4 | $3,365 | $750 | Preselected only | Philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking foundations; Human services - multipurpose and other; Housing, shelter |
| The Hatterscheidt Foundation Inc C/O Dacotah Bank Trust | Aberdeen, SD | 1 | $2,500 | $2,500 | Yes | Scholarships |
| Vermeer Charitable Foundation | Pella, IA | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | Preselected only | Education |
| Midcontinent Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Yes | The grant funding would be used to purchase an instant repl… |
| Bnsf Railway Foundation | Fort Worth, TX | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Yes | United way/red cross |
| Bsl Foundation | Grimes, IA | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Yes | General operating fund |
| Prairie Rose Minnesota Community Fund | Luverne, MN | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Yes | Scholarship |
| Levo Cares Foundation | Sioux Falls, SD | 1 | $500 | $500 | Yes | Adopt a classroom |
| Tractor Supply Company Foundation | Brentwood, TN | 2 | $500 | $250 | Yes | Hometown heroes donation |
| The Bwbr Foundation | St Paul, MN | 1 | $500 | $500 | Yes | General capital campaign |
| Jehovah - Jireh Foundation | Gambrills, MD | 1 | $500 | $500 | Yes | Missions |
| Duke Family Foundation | Rapid City, SD | 1 | $130 | $130 | Preselected only | Charitable contribution |
Source: IRS Form 990-PF Part XV, latest electronic return per foundation (2026-10-28). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own checkbox on Part XV line 2. Grants to individuals excluded.
Common questions
Which foundations give to nonprofits in Watertown, South Dakota?
Chs Foundation, Engels Family Foundation, Daniel Cowles Charitable Foundation, Edward L Schwab Memorial Foundation Dacotah Bank, First Interstate Bancsystem Foundation Inc and 24 others reported grants to Watertown organizations on their latest Form 990-PF.
How do I approach a foundation that doesn't accept applications?
A foundation that checks "contributes only to preselected organizations" on its 990-PF won't review a cold proposal. Look at who it funds, find a shared board member, grantee or advisor, and ask for an introduction. Foundations that accept applications usually list a contact and deadlines in Part XV; we show that text on each foundation's page.
Is this list complete?
No. It covers private foundations (Form 990-PF filers) whose latest electronic return lists at least one grant to an organization in Watertown. Community foundations and corporate giving programs file different forms and are not included yet.