About Us

Reach out to your local Watermark community, and ask to speak to the Watermark for Kids Champion. Add Can’t find a Watermark Community near you, complete an application and email it to infor@watermarkforkids.org. Applications are reviewed periodically, and you’ll be notified as quickly as possible.

Since 2007, Watermark for Kids has awarded more than $1.2 million. We’ve helped more than 3,300 kids ages 6–22, in communities across the country by providing financial assistance with the following: 

• Education and Exploration: Books, supplies, laptops, academic clubs, travel and trip expenses, tuition assistance, scholarships, room and board expenses, after-school activities, and summer camps. 
• Sports and Fine Arts: Sports registration fees and equipment, clubs, musical instruments and lessons, theater and dance classes, camps, and travel and trip expenses.
• Health and Well-Being: Counseling, dental care, adaptive wheelchairs, medical equipment, and therapeutic treatments not covered by medical insurance.

Step 1: Complete and submit application to info@watermarkforkids.org: 

• Watermark Kid application or Nonprofit application 

Step 2: Watermark for Kids Executive Director and Board reviews application. 

Step 3:  Kid, parent/guardian, and nonprofit are notified with next steps. 

Step 4: Vendor provides W-9 and itemized invoice for goods or services; vendor and invoice are processed. 

Step 5: Check is mailed to vendor or community for presentation. Process takes two to three weeks. 

Step 6: We encourage recipients to stay in touch, and visit a Watermark community near you to share your success story with residents and associates or email a gratitude video or letter to info@watermarkforkids.org.

We welcome applications from young individuals aged 6 to 22 who come from financially under-resourced families. Our aim is to help these amazing kids pursue their passions, enhance their independence, and create a positive impact on their lives so they can truly thrive. It’s important to note that kids under the age of 18 must have approval from a parent or guardian to apply. 

Watermark for Kids partners with selective nonprofit organizations that serve the needs of local underserved children in our community.

Grant Eligibility Guidelines:

Watermark for Kids awards grants exclusively to not-for-profit organizations serving under-resourced children in our community.

Ineligible Organizations:

• • Those serving adults (over 22 years old)
• • For-profit entities
• • Religious organizations that proselytize
• • Agencies requesting funds for salaries or operational expenses

Eligibility Requirements:

To receive a grant, an organization:

• • Must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization
• • Must use grant funds for charitable or educational purposes under Section 501(c)(3)
• • Must be an equal opportunity employer, without discrimination based on race, religion, marital status,
• color, national origin, sex, age, or disability

Watermark for Kids will NOT grant awards to:

• Agencies that serve adults, defined as individuals over 22 years of age.
• Agencies that are for profit.
• Religious agencies where proselytizing is a part of the service provided.
• Agencies requesting funds for salaries or operational expenses. 

In order to be eligible for a WFK grant an organization must be:

• Exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code
• Must agree to use the WFK grant only for purposes that are charitable or educational within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code
• An equal employment opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, marital status, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

Watermark for Kids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax deductible, and administrative costs are underwritten by generous donations from Watermark Retirement Communities. Funds are raised by Watermark’s generous associates like you through payroll deductions, and through community fundraising events with residents and their families, as well as our wonderful sponsors and donors. Watermark for Kids’ two largest fundraisers are the annual Thrive! Classic Golf Tournament and Silent Auction.