Terry K. Watanabe Charitable Trust

Terry K. Watanabe Charitable Trust

OVERVIEW: The Terry K. Watanabe Charitable Trust primarily funds grantmaking related to LGBTQ causes and AIDS/HIV services.

IP TAKE: This funder lacks transparency and does not maintain a website, restricting information about its specific grantmaking strategies and interests. This makes it especially difficult for new grantseekers to get the trust’s attention. Tax filings suggest a strong interest in LGBTQ causes.

The Watanabe Charitable Trust has been quiet the past few years, especially after Watanabe himself made headlines for his gambling addiction.

PROFILE: The Terry K. Watanabe Charitable Trust was founded in 2001 by businessman Terry Watanabe, who steered his family’s Omaha-based party-favor import business. Watanabe also famously lost over $200 million in one year while gambling in Las Vegas. The foundation maintains a low public profile. It also does not operate a website or employ a paid staff. According to tax filings, the Terry K. Watanabe Charitable Trust primarily funds grantmaking related to LGBTQ causes and AIDS/HIV health services. It also earmarks funds for other causes like human services and health.

Grants for LGBTQ

Watanabe’s past LGBTQ grantmaking includes support for GLAAD and the Gay Men's Health Crisis in New York City, which is also the home of the Terry K. Watanabe Volunteer and Work Center.

Important Grant Details

The Watanabe Fund’s grants range from $50 to around $207,000. In a past fiscal year, the foundation gave away approximately $209,000.

The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications or requests for funding. An address and phone number are provided below.

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CONTACT:

Terry K. Watanabe Charitable Trust
9380 Marino Cir Apt 208
Naples, FL  34114

(402) 630-1100