About Us

Reach out to your local Watermark community, and ask to speak to the Watermark for Kids Champion. You’ll work with a Watermark for Kids Coach, who’ll assist you with submitting your application and the necessary documents to Watermark for Kids. Applications are reviewed periodically, and you’ll be notified as quickly as possible.

Watermark for Kids has awarded more than $1.15 million in the last 15 years. We’ve helped more than 2,800 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: Become a Coach. 

Step 2: Nominate a Watermark Kid. This should be an individual who needs financial assistance to thrive or a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps underserved youth in your community. 

Step 3: Complete and submit applications to info@watermarkforkids.org: 

• Coach Affidavit. 
• Watermark Kid application or nonprofit application. 

Step 4: Watermark for Kids Executive Director and Board reviews application. 

Step 5: Coach, Kid, parent/guardian, and nonprofit are notified with next steps. 

Step 6: Vendor provides W-9 and itemized invoice for goods or services; vendor and invoice are processed. Check is mailed to vendor or community for presentation. Process takes two to three weeks. 

Step 7: Stay in touch, and invite your Watermark Kid to your community so they can share their success story with residents and associates or obtain a gratitude video or letter. 

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.

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.

Coaches are Watermark associates and residents who are eager to help kids thrive. A coach also can be an individual affiliated with the Watermark Kid applicant or local nonprofit organization. 

Coaches work closely with the Champion in their community and the Watermark for Kids Executive Director. Their job is to: 

• Protect the organization’s integrity by ensuring the resources provided benefit underserved children. 
• Connect the Watermark Kid with the Watermark for Kids Executive Director and Board. 
• Ensure each Watermark Kid understands the award process and has a positive experience. 

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. The 2022 golf tournament raised more than $168,000.