Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation | Foundation Profile

GrantBay analyzes IRS Form 990-PF data to help grant seekers find fit funders like Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation. Data shown is extracted from Form 990-PF filings.

EIN: 13-7231616

Foundation Overview

Based in Sioux Falls, SD, Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation has awarded 48 grants totaling $71,159,291 to organizations in New York, Pennsylvania and 3 other states across the US. Individual grants range from $5,200 to $47,700,000, with a median award of $25,000.

Latest Tax Year
2023
Total Giving (all years)
$71,159,291
Total Assets
$398,588,713
Median Grant (all grants)
$25,000

Latest Form 990-PF Snapshot

Total Grants
13
Median Grant
$25,000
% No Significant Change
0% (vs previous year)
Data extracted from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Last filing year: February 2026

Foundation Intelligence

Advanced analytics and strategic insights to help nonprofit organizations assess grant opportunities and optimize their application strategies

New Applicant Friendliness
Closed Network: 15%

2 of 13 recipients (15%) were new grantees. Foundation maintains tight relationships with established partners. New applicants rarely succeed without insider connections.

Geographic Focus
New York

60% of grants are awarded in New York, with additional funding distributed across 4 other locations. The foundation balances regional focus with broader geographic diversity. Within New York, funding concentrates in New York (41%), Smithtown (28%), Brooklyn (14%).

Funding Trajectory
-96%

Declining funding trend with 96% decrease over 3 years may indicate reduced grant opportunities or shifting foundation priorities. This trajectory suggests more competitive application environment.

Program Areas
Community Projects + 3 others

Diversified giving across multiple program areas with primary emphasis on community projects (52%). This broad approach suggests openness to various causes and innovative cross-sector solutions.

Where is The Money Going?

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Grants & Funding

Analyzing past grantees provides valuable insights into Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation's funding preferences, organizational priorities, and grant making patterns. This historical data helps potential applicants understand the foundation's strategic focus and identify successful funding approaches.

Name Amount Location Purpose Year
America's Vetdogs $25,000 Smithtown, NY, US To Provide Enhanced Mobility And Renewed Independence To United States Veterans 2023
Back On My Feet $40,000 Philadelphia, PA, US To Provide Supports For Homeless Inviduals 2023
First Responders Children's Foundation $10,000 New York, NY, US To Further The Donee's Purpose In Accordance With Donee's Mission Statement. 2023
Florida Southwestern State College Foundation $20,000 Fort Myers, FL, US To Further The Donee's Purpose In Accordance With Donee's Mission Statement. 2023
Freedom Alliance $400,000 Dulles, VA, US To Advance The American Heritage Of Freedom By Honoring Military Service 2023
Guide Dog Foundation For The Blind Inc $25,000 Smithtown, NY, US To Improve The Quality Of Life For People Who Are Blind 2023
Helen Keller Services For The Blind $15,000 Brooklyn, NY, US To Assist Deaf-blind Youths 2023
Hope For New York $250,000 New York, NY, US To Serve New York's Most Marginalized Residents Including At Risk Youth And The Homeless 2023
Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation $15,000 Sioux Falls, SD, US To Further The Donee's Purpose In Accordance With Donee's Mission Statement. 2023
Tunnels To Towers $200,000 Staten Island, NY, US To Further The Donee's Exempt Purpose In Accordance With Donee's Mission Statement. 2023
Spark Youth Nyc $20,000 New York, NY, US General Operating Support 2023
The Banquet $20,000 Sioux Falls, SD, US General Operating Support 2023
Pines Foundation $1,000,000 Sarasota, FL, US General Operating Support 2023
America's Vetdogs $25,000 Smithtown, NY, US To Provide Enhanced Mobility And Renewed Independence To United States Veterans 2022
Back On My Feet $30,000 Philadelphia, PA, US To Provide Supports For Homeless Inviduals 2022
First Responders Children's Foundation $10,000 New York, NY, US To Further The Donee's Purpose In Accordance With Donee's Mission Statement. 2022
Florida Southwestern State College Foundation $15,000 Fort Myers, FL, US To Further The Donee's Purpose In Accordance With Donee's Mission Statement. 2022
Freedom Alliance $350,000 Dulles, VA, US To Advance The American Heritage Of Freedom By Honoring Military Service 2022
Guide Dog Foundation For The Blind Inc $25,000 Smithtown, NY, US To Improve The Quality Of Life For People Who Are Blind 2022
Helen Keller Services For The Blind $15,600 Brooklyn, NY, US To Assist Deaf-blind Youths 2022
Hope For New York $500,000 New York, NY, US To Serve New York's Most Marginalized Residents Including At Risk Youth And The Homeless 2022
Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation $15,000 Sioux Falls, SD, US To Further The Donee's Purpose In Accordance With Donee's Mission Statement. 2022
Tunnels To Towers $120,000 Staten Island, NY, US To Further The Donee's Exempt Purpose In Accordance With Donee's Mission Statement. 2022
You Can Thrieve $10,000 New York, NY, US To Further The Donee's Purpose In Accordance With Donee's Mission Statement. 2022
America's Vetdogs $25,000 Smithtown, NY, US To Provide Enhanced Mobility And Renewed Independence To United States Veterans 2021
Back On My Feet $30,000 Philadelphia, PA, US To Provide Supports For Homeless Inviduals 2021
Freedom Alliance $300,000 Dulles, VA, US To Advance The American Heritage Of Freedom By Honoring Military Service 2021
Guide Dog Foundation For The Blind Inc $25,000 Smithtown, NY, US To Improve The Quality Of Life For People Who Are Blind 2021
Helen Keller Services For The Blind $50,000 Brooklyn, NY, US To Assist Deaf-blind Youths 2021
Hope For New York $500,000 New York, NY, US To Serve New York's Most Marginalized Residents Including At Risk Youth And The Homeless 2021
Restore Nyc $75,000 New York, NY, US To End Sex Trafficking In New York 2021
Pines Of Sarasota Foundation $8,500,000 Sarasota, FL, US To Further The Donee's Purpose In Accordance With Donee's Mission Statement. 2021
You Can Thrieve $25,000 New York, NY, US To Further The Donee's Purpose In Accordance With Donee's Mission Statement. 2021
Tunnels To Towers $1,038,491 Staten Island, NY, US To Further The Donee's Exempt Purpose In Accordance With Donee's Mission Statement. 2021
The Banquet $10,000 Sioux Falls, SD, US To Further The Donee's Purpose In Accordance With Donee's Mission Statement. 2021
Make A Wish South Dakota & Montana $15,000 Sioux Falls, SD, US To Further The Donee's Purpose In Accordance With Donee's Mission Statement. 2021
America's Vetdogs $25,000 Smithtown, NY, US To Provide Enhanced Mobility And Renewed Independence To United States Veterans 2020
Back On My Feet $30,000 Philadelphia, PA, US To Provide Supports For Homeless Inviduals 2020
Freedom Alliance $300,000 Dulles, VA, US To Advance The American Heritage Of Freedom By Honoring Military Service 2020
Guide Dog Foundation For The Blind Inc $25,000 Smithtown, NY, US To Improve The Quality Of Life For People Who Are Blind 2020
Helen Keller Services For The Blind $5,200 Brooklyn, NY, US To Assist Deaf-blind Youths 2020
Hope For New York $500,000 New York, NY, US To Serve New York's Most Marginalized Residents Including At Risk Youth And The Homeless 2020
Long Island Alzheimer's Foundation $15,000 Port Washington, NY, US To Improve Qualify Of Life For Individuals Living With Alzheimer's Disease 2020
Restore Nyc $75,000 New York, NY, US To End Sex Trafficking In New York 2020
Southeast Technical Institute Foundation $10,000 Sioux Falls, SD, US To Support Education Programs 2020
Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Foundation $8,650,000 Staten Island, NY, US To Honor The Sacrifice Of Firefighter Stephen Siller Who Laid Down His Life To Save Others On 9/11 2020
Top Honors Inc $75,000 New York, NY, US To Help Children Improve Their Math And Critical Thinking Abilities 2020
Southwest Florida Water Management District $47,700,000 Brooksville, FL, US Donation Of Land For Development And Preservation Of Water Resources In West-central Florida 2020

Foundations Similar to Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation

Discover 5 foundations with comparable assets ($384,937,283-$409,104,771), similar grant patterns, and geographic focus in SD that may also align with your organization's funding needs and grant seeking strategy.

Foundation Name Total Assets Typical Grant Size Service Area Similarity Match

EIN: 23-7090011 | 712 grants awarded
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$32,050
median grant
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70%
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EIN: 30-0206688 | 72 grants awarded
$396,132,831
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$40,000
median grant
Cincinnati, OH
70%
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EIN: 56-6132354 | 507 grants awarded
$401,470,276
(≈ Similar)
$50,000
median grant
Concord, NC
70%
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EIN: 65-0188171 | 2408 grants awarded
$409,104,771
(≈ Similar)
$25,000
median grant
Miami Beach, FL
69%
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EIN: 83-0451634 | 469 grants awarded
$384,937,283
(≈ Similar)
$50,000
median grant
New York, NY
68%
Good match

Contact Information

Official contact details for Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation as registered with the IRS. These details are essential for grant applications, correspondence, and due diligence processes.

EIN 13-7231616
Website https://mertzfoundation.org
Address 212 S MAIN AVE SUITE 133 Sioux Falls, SD 57104-0000

Key People (2)

Board members, trustees, and key staff who oversee Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation's grant making decisions and strategic direction. Understanding leadership composition can provide insights into foundation priorities and potential networking opportunities.

Direction Advisor Nancy L Close
Trustee Lavender Trust Company Inc

Forms 990-PF

IRS Form 990-PF filings provide comprehensive financial information, grant details, and operational data. These documents are essential resources for understanding foundation capacity, giving patterns, and strategic priorities.

Form 990-PF Research Tips
  • Review Part XV for detailed grant recipient information and funding purposes
  • Check Part I for total assets, annual giving amounts, and payout requirements
  • Examine Part VIII for key personnel compensation and board structure
  • Look for trends across multiple years to understand giving patterns

About This Foundation Profile

This comprehensive foundation profile for Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation is powered by Grant Bay's advanced foundation research platform. Our system analyzes IRS Form 990-PF filings, grant histories, and philanthropic patterns to provide nonprofit organizations with actionable intelligence for grant seeking success.

Application Status
Based on its IRS Form 990-PF filings, this foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications, meaning eligible organizations can apply directly without a prior relationship.

Data Sources & Accuracy

All information is derived from official IRS filings and public records. Grant Bay processes thousands of Form 990-PF documents to extract grant details, financial data, and organizational information. Data accuracy depends on foundation reporting quality and IRS filing completeness.

Research Applications

Use this profile for prospect research, grant strategy development, application preparation, and relationship building. Combine this data with additional research on foundation priorities, application processes, and board member backgrounds for comprehensive grant seeking strategies.

Data Currency: Last updated February 2026 based on IRS Form 990-PF filings. Foundation information reflects most recent available tax year data.