Phyllis C Wattis Foundation
The Phyllis C. Wattis Foundation is a San Francisco-based private foundation that supports Bay Area artists and small arts organizations through New Works and Legacy Grants. The site includes grant guidelines, application timelines, a grants portal login, past grantees, and contact information.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Small-to-mid sized Bay Area arts organizations or individual artists seeking project-specific New Works or modest general operating support in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Good Fit
- • Based in the San Francisco Bay Area or serving Bay Area artists
- • Arts, performing arts, dance, theater, or culturally specific arts programming
- • Request size consistent with recent awards (roughly $5K–$50K, commonly ~$10K–$25K)
- • Clear project or general operating case with local community impact
- • Willingness to use the foundation's online portal and follow published guidelines
Geography
Observed giving is geographically narrow: the latest year showed all grants going to California recipients and prior years were almost entirely in-state.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funds a broad set of independent arts organizations each year (about 39 distinct recipients in 2024 and 42 in 2023), indicating a wide recipient portfolio for its size despite modest per-grant amounts.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of openness exists: roughly a third of 2024 grantees were new recipients (12 new), the foundation publishes guidelines and an online portal, and a named grants manager and contact details are provided, all suggesting unfamiliar applicants can plausibly enter the portfolio.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
