Merit Foundation | Foundation Profile
GrantBay analyzes IRS Form 990-PF data to help grant seekers find fit funders like Merit Foundation. Data shown is extracted from Form 990-PF filings.
EIN: 36-4156727
Foundation Overview
Based in Mount Prospect, IL, Merit Foundation has awarded 191 grants totaling $439,650 to organizations in Georgia, Wisconsin and 16 other states across the US. Individual grants range from $100 to $13,610, with a median award of $1,500.
Latest Form 990-PF Snapshot
Foundation Intelligence
Advanced analytics and strategic insights to help nonprofit organizations assess grant opportunities and optimize their application strategies
New Applicant Friendliness
10 of 25 recipients (40%) were new grantees. Foundation maintains loyal partnerships while remaining open to qualified new applicants with strong proposals.
Geographic Focus
Grants are geographically diversified with 23% in North Carolina and funding distributed across 18 total locations. This foundation values broad geographic impact and diverse community partnerships. Within North Carolina, funding concentrates in Clemmons (36%), Winstonsalem (34%), Tobaccovile (23%).
Funding Trajectory
Strong 89% growth in annual giving over 8 years indicates expanding philanthropic capacity and increasing opportunities for grant seekers. This upward trajectory suggests growing foundation resources and commitment.
Program Areas
Diversified giving across multiple program areas with primary emphasis on general purposes (46%). This broad approach suggests openness to various causes and innovative cross-sector solutions.
Where is The Money Going?
Grants & Funding
Analyzing past grantees provides valuable insights into Merit 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camp Gray | $2,500 | Reedsburg, WI, US | Recreational | 2024 |
| Cancer Services Inc | $1,000 | Winstonsalem, NC, US | Chartiable | 2024 |
| Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation | $500 | Pasadena, CA, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Good Shepherd Lutheran Church | $7,000 | Herndon, VA, US | Religious | 2024 |
| Grace Lutheran Church | $2,000 | Clemmons, NC, US | Religious | 2024 |
| Holy Cross Lutheran Church | $7,500 | Wheaton, IL, US | Religious | 2024 |
| Hushabye Nursery | $1,000 | Gilbert, AZ, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Lafayette College | $7,000 | Easton, PA, US | Education | 2024 |
| Local Initiatives Support Corporation | $2,500 | New York, NY, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Pitt Hopkins Foundation | $1,000 | Plymouth, MA, US | Scientific | 2024 |
| Riverwood Therapeutic Horseback Riding | $1,000 | Tobaccovile, NC, US | Scientific | 2024 |
| Roman Catholic Diocese Of Madison Inc | $4,500 | Madison, WI, US | Religious | 2024 |
| St Jude Childrens Research Hospital Inc | $2,500 | Memphis, TN, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Summit School Of Ahwatukee | $4,000 | Phoenix, AZ, US | Education | 2024 |
| The Parenting Path | $2,000 | Winstonsalem, NC, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Trustees Of Boston University - Friends Of Men's Swimming & Diving | $2,500 | Boston, MA, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Trustees Of Boston University - Bloom Family Leadership | $2,500 | Boston, MA, US | Education | 2024 |
| Shallow Ford Foundation Inc (Coach Murph Scholarship) | $1,500 | Clemmons, NC, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center | $2,000 | Phoenix, AZ, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Mental Health America Inc | $7,000 | Alexandria, VA, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Chelsea Education Foundation Inc | $2,000 | Chelsea, MA, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| William Marsh Rice University - Women's Club Water Polo | $1,500 | Houston, TX, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Child Poverty Action Lab | $3,000 | Dallas, TX, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Rabbit Sanctuary Inc | $500 | Simpsonville, SC, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Baptists On Mission - Hurricane Helene Refief | $3,000 | Cary, NC, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Action Against Hunger | $7,000 | New York, NY, US | Charitable | 2023 |
| Camp Gray | $2,500 | Reedsburg, WI, US | Recreational | 2023 |
| Cancer Services | $1,000 | Sandusky, OH, US | Chartiable | 2023 |
| Good Shepherd Lutheran Church | $500 | Herndon, VA, US | Religious | 2023 |
| Grace Lutheran Church | $2,000 | Clemmons, NC, US | Religious | 2023 |
| Harris Co Domestic Violence Coordinating Council | $2,000 | Houston, TX, US | Charitable | 2023 |
| Holy Cross Lutheran Church | $2,000 | Wheaton, IL, US | Religious | 2023 |
| Hushabye Nursery | $2,000 | Gilbert, AZ, US | Charitable | 2023 |
| Lafayette College | $7,000 | Easton, PA, US | Education | 2023 |
| Pitt Hopkins Foundation | $1,500 | Plymouth, MA, US | Scientific | 2023 |
| Riverwood Therapeutic Horseback Riding | $1,000 | Tobaccovile, NC, US | Scientific | 2023 |
| St Jude Childrens Research Hospital Inc | $250 | Memphis, TN, US | Charitable | 2023 |
| Summit School Of Ahwatukee | $5,000 | Phoenix, AZ, US | Education | 2023 |
| The Parenting Path | $1,750 | Winstonsalem, NC, US | Charitable | 2023 |
| Monroe Middle School | $500 | Wheaton, IL, US | Education | 2023 |
| Wheaton North High School | $5,000 | Wheaton, IL, US | Education | 2023 |
| Roman Catholic Diocese Of Madison Inc Love Begins Here | $4,500 | Madison, WI, US | Religious | 2023 |
| Trustees Of Boston University - Leadership Initiative | $3,500 | Boston, MA, US | Education | 2023 |
| Trustees Of Boston University - Friends Of Men's Swimming & Diving | $3,500 | Boston, MA, US | Charitable | 2023 |
| Ymca Of Honolulu | $3,000 | Honolulu, HI, US | Charitable | 2023 |
| Local Initiatives Support Corporation | $2,000 | New York, NY, US | Charitable | 2023 |
| Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation | $500 | Pasadena, CA, US | Charitable | 2023 |
| Carolina Cross Connection Inc | $500 | Charlotte, NC, US | Charitable | 2023 |
| American Foundation For Suicide Prevention | $500 | New York, NY, US | Charitable | 2023 |
| American Cancer Society | $100 | Kennesaw, GA, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| Camp Gray | $6,000 | Reedsburg, WI, US | Recreational | 2022 |
| Cancer Services | $1,000 | Sandusky, OH, US | Chartiable | 2022 |
| Gio's Garden | $1,750 | Middleton, WI, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| Grace Lutheran Church | $2,750 | Clemmons, NC, US | Religious | 2022 |
| Holy Cross Lutheran Church | $7,850 | Wheaton, IL, US | Religious | 2022 |
| Lafayette College | $7,750 | Easton, PA, US | Education | 2022 |
| Pitt Hopkins Foundation | $1,500 | Plymouth, MA, US | Scientific | 2022 |
| River Oaks Community Church | $100 | Clemmons, NC, US | Religious | 2022 |
| Riverwood Therapeutic Horseback Riding | $1,000 | Tobaccovile, NC, US | Scientific | 2022 |
| Summit School Of Ahwatukee | $2,500 | Phoenix, AZ, US | Education | 2022 |
| The Parenting Path | $1,500 | Winstonsalem, NC, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| Xavier Dad's Club | $2,750 | Phoenix, AZ, US | Education | 2022 |
| Hushabye Nursery | $2,500 | Gilbert, AZ, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| Action Against Hunger | $7,750 | New York, NY, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| Women's Reproduction Rights Assistance Project | $100 | Santa Monica, CA, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| St Jude Childrens Research Hospital Inc | $100 | Memphis, TN, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| Childrens Museum Of Phoenix | $100 | Phoenix, AZ, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| American Cancer Society | $100 | Kennesaw, GA, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| Camp Gray | $6,000 | Reedsburg, WI, US | Recreational | 2022 |
| Cancer Services | $1,000 | Sandusky, OH, US | Chartiable | 2022 |
| Gio's Garden | $1,750 | Middleton, WI, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| Grace Lutheran Church | $2,750 | Clemmons, NC, US | Religious | 2022 |
| Holy Cross Lutheran Church | $7,850 | Wheaton, IL, US | Religious | 2022 |
| Lafayette College | $7,750 | Easton, PA, US | Education | 2022 |
| Pitt Hopkins Foundation | $1,500 | Plymouth, MA, US | Scientific | 2022 |
| River Oaks Community Church | $100 | Clemmons, NC, US | Religious | 2022 |
| Riverwood Therapeutic Horseback Riding | $1,000 | Tobaccovile, NC, US | Scientific | 2022 |
| Summit School Of Ahwatukee | $2,500 | Phoenix, AZ, US | Education | 2022 |
| The Parenting Path | $1,500 | Winstonsalem, NC, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| Xavier Dad's Club | $2,750 | Phoenix, AZ, US | Education | 2022 |
| Hushabye Nursery | $2,500 | Gilbert, AZ, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| Action Against Hunger | $7,750 | New York, NY, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| Women's Reproduction Rights Assistance Project | $100 | Santa Monica, CA, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| St Jude Childrens Research Hospital Inc | $100 | Memphis, TN, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| Childrens Museum Of Phoenix | $100 | Phoenix, AZ, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| American Cancer Society | $100 | Kennesaw, GA, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| Camp Gray | $6,000 | Reedsburg, WI, US | Recreational | 2022 |
| Cancer Services | $1,000 | Sandusky, OH, US | Chartiable | 2022 |
| Gio's Garden | $1,750 | Middleton, WI, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| Grace Lutheran Church | $2,750 | Clemmons, NC, US | Religious | 2022 |
| Holy Cross Lutheran Church | $7,850 | Wheaton, IL, US | Religious | 2022 |
| Lafayette College | $7,750 | Easton, PA, US | Education | 2022 |
| Pitt Hopkins Foundation | $1,500 | Plymouth, MA, US | Scientific | 2022 |
| River Oaks Community Church | $100 | Clemmons, NC, US | Religious | 2022 |
| Riverwood Therapeutic Horseback Riding | $1,000 | Tobaccovile, NC, US | Scientific | 2022 |
| Summit School Of Ahwatukee | $2,500 | Phoenix, AZ, US | Education | 2022 |
| The Parenting Path | $1,500 | Winstonsalem, NC, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| Xavier Dad's Club | $2,750 | Phoenix, AZ, US | Education | 2022 |
| Hushabye Nursery | $2,500 | Gilbert, AZ, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| Action Against Hunger | $7,750 | New York, NY, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| Women's Reproduction Rights Assistance Project | $100 | Santa Monica, CA, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| St Jude Childrens Research Hospital Inc | $100 | Memphis, TN, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| Childrens Museum Of Phoenix | $100 | Phoenix, AZ, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| Camp Gray | $4,700 | Reedsburg, WI, US | Recreational | 2021 |
| Cancer Services | $1,000 | Sandusky, OH, US | Chartiable | 2021 |
| Edgewood Campus School | $4,800 | Madison, WI, US | Education | 2021 |
| Foundation For Individual Rights In Ed | $6,700 | Philadelphia, PA, US | Charitable | 2021 |
| Good Shepherd Lutheran Church | $100 | Herndon, VA, US | Religious | 2021 |
| Grace Lutheran Church | $2,700 | Clemmons, NC, US | Religious | 2021 |
| Lafayette College | $6,700 | Easton, PA, US | Education | 2021 |
| New Morning Nursery School | $1,000 | Madison, WI, US | Religious | 2021 |
| Pitt Hopkins Foundation | $1,000 | Plymouth, MA, US | Scientific | 2021 |
| Riverwood Therapeutic Horseback Riding | $1,000 | Tobaccovile, NC, US | Scientific | 2021 |
| St Mary's Hospital Foundation | $1,000 | Milwaukee, WI, US | Charitable | 2021 |
| The Parenting Path | $1,100 | Winstonsalem, NC, US | Charitable | 2021 |
| Winfield Library Friends | $3,700 | Winfield, IL, US | Charitable | 2021 |
| Xavier College Preparatory | $6,700 | Phoenix, AZ, US | Education | 2021 |
| Holy Cross Lutheran Church | $3,100 | Wheaton, IL, US | Religious | 2021 |
| Gio's Garden | $2,000 | Middleton, WI, US | Charitable | 2021 |
| Harris Co Domestic Violence Coordinating Council | $100 | Houston, TX, US | Charitable | 2021 |
| River Oaks Community Church | $100 | Clemmons, NC, US | Religious | 2021 |
| American Cancer Society | $100 | Kennesaw, GA, US | Charitable | 2021 |
| Camp Gray | $2,200 | Reedsburg, WI, US | Recreational | 2020 |
| Cancer Services | $500 | Sandusky, OH, US | Chartiable | 2020 |
| Edgewood Campus School | $1,350 | Madison, WI, US | Education | 2020 |
| Good Shepherd Lutheran Church | $200 | Herndon, VA, US | Religious | 2020 |
| Grace Lutheran Church | $1,000 | Clemmons, NC, US | Religious | 2020 |
| Lafayette College | $4,350 | Easton, PA, US | Education | 2020 |
| New Morning Nursery School | $500 | Madison, WI, US | Religious | 2020 |
| Pitt Hopkins Foundation | $600 | Plymouth, MA, US | Scientific | 2020 |
| Riverwood Therapeutic Horseback Riding | $500 | Tobaccovile, NC, US | Scientific | 2020 |
| Summit School Of Ahwatukee | $4,350 | Phoenix, AZ, US | Education | 2020 |
| Winfield Library Friends | $2,350 | Winfield, IL, US | Charitable | 2020 |
| Christ's Beloved Food Pantry | $850 | Winstonsalem, NC, US | Religious | 2020 |
| Foundation For Individual Rights In Ed | $4,350 | Philadelphia, PA, US | Charitable | 2020 |
| Pleasant Hill Pta | $2,000 | Winfield, IL, US | Charitable | 2020 |
| St Mary's Hospital Foundation | $500 | Milwaukee, WI, US | Charitable | 2020 |
| The Parenting Path | $1,100 | Winstonsalem, NC, US | Charitable | 2020 |
| Xavier College Preparatory | $100 | Phoenix, AZ, US | Charitable | 2020 |
| Camp Gray | $100 | Reedsburg, WI, US | Recreational | 2018 |
| Edgewood Campus School | $550 | Madison, WI, US | Education | 2018 |
| Edgewood High School | $1,100 | Madison, WI, US | Education | 2018 |
| Grace Lutheran Church | $1,000 | Clemmons, NC, US | Religious | 2018 |
| New Morning Nursery School | $250 | Madison, WI, US | Religious | 2018 |
| Pitt Hopkins Foundation | $500 | Plymouth, MA, US | Scientific | 2018 |
| Riverwood Therapeutic Horseback Riding | $200 | Tobaccovile, NC, US | Scientific | 2018 |
| Rock Steady Boxing | $300 | Indianapolis, IN, US | Scientific | 2018 |
| St Mary's Hospital Foundation | $500 | Madison, WI, US | Religious | 2018 |
| Summit School Of Ahwatukee | $1,800 | Phoenix, AZ, US | Education | 2018 |
| Winfield Library Friends | $2,300 | Winfield, IL, US | Charitable | 2018 |
| Family Services Inc | $300 | Winstonsalem, NC, US | Program Support | 2018 |
| Good Shepherd Lutheran Church | $2,500 | Herndon, VA, US | Religious | 2018 |
| Lafayette College | $100 | Easton, PA, US | Education | 2018 |
| Miracle Babies | $100 | San Diego, CA, US | Program Support | 2018 |
| Xavier College Preparatory | $500 | Phoenix, AZ, US | Education | 2018 |
| Young Mens Christian Association Of Nw Nc | $100 | Winstonsalem, NC, US | Program Support | 2018 |
| Cancer Services Inc | $1,000 | Winstonsalem, NC, US | Scientific | 2017 |
| Edgewood Campus School | $1,600 | Madison, WI, US | Education | 2017 |
| Edgewood High School | $5,100 | Madison, WI, US | Education | 2017 |
| Grace Lutheran Church | $3,000 | Clemmons, NC, US | Religious | 2017 |
| New Morning Nursery School | $500 | Madison, WI, US | Religious | 2017 |
| Pioneer Camp & Retreat Center | $500 | Angola, NY, US | Religious | 2017 |
| Riverwood Therapeutic Horseback Riding | $750 | Tobaccovile, NC, US | Scientific | 2017 |
| Rock Steady Boxing | $1,000 | Indianapolis, IN, US | Scientific | 2017 |
| St Mary's Hospital Foundation | $1,000 | Madison, WI, US | Religious | 2017 |
| St Paul Lutheran Church | $2,200 | Wheaton, IL, US | Religious | 2017 |
| Summit School Of Ahwatukee | $8,600 | Phoenix, AZ, US | Education | 2017 |
| Winfield Library Friends | $4,400 | Winfield, IL, US | Charitable | 2017 |
| Camp Gray | $100 | Reedsburg, WI, US | Recreational | 2017 |
| Hanes Magnet School Ptsa | $1,000 | Winstonsalem, NC, US | Education | 2017 |
| Johns Hopkins University | $8,700 | Baltimore, MD, US | Scientific | 2017 |
| Pitt Hopkins Foundation | $1,100 | Plymouth, MA, US | Scientific | 2017 |
| Pleasant Hill Pta | $2,000 | Winfield, IL, US | Education | 2017 |
| Sally's Angels | $350 | Clemmons, NC, US | Charitable | 2017 |
| Unc Arts & Sciences Foundation - Buchan House | $500 | Chapel Hill, NC, US | Scientific | 2017 |
| Pioneer Camp & Retreat Center | $13,610 | Angola, NY, US | Religious | 2016 |
| Riverwood Therapeutic Horseback Riding | $250 | Tobaccovile, NC, US | Scientific | 2016 |
| Matthew Gfeller Foundation | $500 | Winstonsalem, NC, US | Scientific | 2016 |
| Cancer Services Inc | $260 | Winstonsalem, NC, US | Scientific | 2016 |
| Rock Steady Boxing | $500 | Indianapolis, IN, US | Scientific | 2016 |
| Grace Lutheran Church | $3,000 | Clemmons, NC, US | Religious | 2016 |
| St Mary's Hospital Foundation | $500 | Madison, WI, US | Religious | 2016 |
| Dean Foundation | $500 | Middleton, WI, US | Scientific | 2016 |
| Edgewood Campus School | $500 | Madison, WI, US | Education | 2016 |
| Edgewood High School | $2,610 | Madison, WI, US | Education | 2016 |
| New Morning Nursery School | $500 | Madison, WI, US | Religious | 2016 |
| Summit School Of Ahwatukee | $7,510 | Phoenix, AZ, US | Education | 2016 |
| Winfield Library Friends | $5,000 | Winfield, IL, US | Charitable | 2016 |
| Cantigny Foundation | $500 | Wheaton, IL, US | Scientific | 2016 |
| St Paul Lutheran Church | $2,010 | Wheaton, IL, US | Religious | 2016 |
| Joseph H Firth Youth Center | $100 | Phillipsburg, NJ, US | Recreational | 2016 |
Foundations Similar to Merit Foundation
Discover 5 foundations with comparable assets ($1,738,358-$1,775,621), similar grant patterns, and geographic focus in IL 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Charles Taveggia - Mary Antonini Foundation
EIN: 37-1117154 | 193 grants awarded |
$1,756,015
(≈ Similar) |
$1,000
median grant |
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Same state |
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Virginia M Long Charitable Foundation
EIN: 43-0871463 | 114 grants awarded |
$1,753,867
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$2,000
median grant |
Godfrey, IL
Same state |
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|
The Paul W Franke Family Foundation
EIN: 20-1166896 | 234 grants awarded |
$1,773,707
(≈ Similar) |
$2,000
median grant |
Lake Forest, IL
Same state |
|
|
The Schnitzer Family Foundation
EIN: 36-3486315 | 276 grants awarded |
$1,775,621
(≈ Similar) |
$1,000
median grant |
Chicago, IL
Same state |
|
|
Executive Construction Foundation
EIN: 83-2466217 | 577 grants awarded |
$1,738,358
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$2,500
median grant |
Hillside, IL
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|
Related Foundation Resources in IL:
Contact Information
Official contact details for Merit Foundation as registered with the IRS. These details are essential for grant applications, correspondence, and due diligence processes.
| EIN | 36-4156727 |
| Website | N/A |
| Address | 15 S PINE ST APT 404 Mt Prospect, IL 60056-3146 |
Key People (17)
Board members, trustees, and key staff who oversee Merit Foundation's grant making decisions and strategic direction. Understanding leadership composition can provide insights into foundation priorities and potential networking opportunities.
| Treasurer | Brenda Frucht |
|---|---|
| Director | Rebecca Johnson |
| Director | Lauren B Cantoni |
| Director | Stephen Frucht |
| President | Michael Frucht |
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 Merit 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.
Data Sources & Accuracy
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Research Applications
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