The Jess Merkle Foundation | Foundation Profile

GrantBay analyzes IRS Form 990-PF data to help grant seekers find fit funders like The Jess Merkle Foundation. Data shown is extracted from Form 990-PF filings.

EIN: 72-1336331

Foundation Overview

Based in Shreveport, LA, The Jess Merkle Foundation has awarded 87 grants totaling $3,114,664 to organizations in Louisiana. Individual grants range from $7,500 to $220,000, with a median award of $16,240.

Latest Tax Year
2024
Total Giving (all years)
$3,114,664
Total Assets
$7,277,394
Median Grant (all grants)
$16,240

Latest Form 990-PF Snapshot

Total Grants
7
Median Grant
$10,000
% Median Grant Decline
-24% (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: 14%

1 of 7 recipients (14%) were new grantees. Foundation maintains tight relationships with established partners. New applicants rarely succeed without insider connections.

Geographic Focus
Louisiana

100% of all grants are concentrated in Louisiana, demonstrating highly focused geographic giving. This foundation prioritizes deep community impact in its primary service area. Within Louisiana, funding concentrates in Shreveport (93%), Ruston (7%).

Funding Trajectory
+96%

Strong 96% 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
General Purposes + 3 others

Diversified giving across multiple program areas with primary emphasis on general purposes (50%). 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 The Jess Merkle 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
Christian Service Institue $20,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Serve Those In Need With Food, Clothing, And Other Resources 2024
Community Renewal International $10,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Connect Neighbors And Residents To Restore The Foundation Of Safe And Caring Communities 2024
Helping Others Halfway House $10,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Serve Those In Need With Food, Clothing, And Other Resources 2024
Highland Club $10,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Educate,counsel And Treat Persons Of All Ages Who Suffer From Alcoholism 2024
Louisiana United Methodist Children & Family Services $10,000 Ruston, LA, US Charitable Contribution To Church 2024
Salvation Army Of Shreveport Bossier City $115,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide Emergency Shelter And Temporary Housing For Single Woman/men, Women With Children And Veterans 2024
Kings Highway Christian Church $220,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Restore The Church To Its Orignial State Before The Fire, Smoke & Water Damage 2024
Broadmoor United Methodist Church $129,279 Shreveport, LA, US Charitable Contribution To Church 2023
Christian Service Institue $20,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Serve Those In Need With Food, Clothing, And Other Resources 2023
Community Renewal International $10,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Connect Neighbors And Residents To Restore The Foundation Of Safe And Caring Communities 2023
Helping Others Halfway House $20,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Serve Those In Need With Food, Clothing, And Other Resources 2023
Highland Club $10,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Educate,counsel And Treat Persons Of All Ages Who Suffer From Alcoholism 2023
Louisiana United Methodist Children & Family Services $10,000 Ruston, LA, US Charitable Contribution To Church 2023
Martin Luther King Health Center $11,316 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide A Safety-net For Patients Who Have No Resources To Obtain Health Care 2023
Salvation Army Of Shreveport Bossier City $127,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide Emergency Shelter And Temporary Housing For Single Woman/men, Women With Children And Veterans 2023
Stoner Avenue Bridge House $15,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide A Recovery Environment Focused On A 12-step Program 2023
Volunteers Of America $20,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Reach And Uplift All People And Bring Them To The Knowledge And Active Service Of God 2023
Oakwood Home For Women $7,500 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide A Residence For Women Recovering From The Illness Of Alcoholism And Substance Abuse 2023
Council On Drugs & Alcohol $10,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Educate, Counsel And Treat Persons Of All Ages Who Suffer From Alcoholism 2023
Broadmoor United Methodist Church $190,000 Shreveport, LA, US Charitable Contribution To Church 2022
Christian Service Institue $22,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Serve Those In Need With Food, Clothing, And Other Resources 2022
Community Renewal International $20,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Connect Neighbors And Residents To Restore The Foundation Of Safe And Caring Communities 2022
Helping Others Halfway House $10,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Serve Those In Need With Food, Clothing, And Other Resources 2022
Highland Club $10,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Educate,counsel And Treat Persons Of All Ages Who Suffer From Alcoholism 2022
Louisiana United Methodist Children & Family Services $10,000 Ruston, LA, US Charitable Contribution To Church 2022
Martin Luther King Health Center $10,848 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide A Safety-net For Patients Who Have No Resources To Obtain Health Care 2022
Salvation Army Of Shreveport Bossier City $97,407 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide Emergency Shelter And Temporary Housing For Single Woman/men, Women With Children And Veterans 2022
Stoner Avenue Bridge House $9,850 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide A Recovery Environment Focused On A 12-step Program 2022
Volunteers Of America $20,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Reach And Uplift All People And Bring Them To The Knowledge And Active Service Of God 2022
Broadmoor United Methodist Church $190,000 Shreveport, LA, US Charitable Contribution To Church 2022
Christian Service Institue $22,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Serve Those In Need With Food, Clothing, And Other Resources 2022
Community Renewal International $20,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Connect Neighbors And Residents To Restore The Foundation Of Safe And Caring Communities 2022
Helping Others Halfway House $10,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Serve Those In Need With Food, Clothing, And Other Resources 2022
Highland Club $10,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Educate,counsel And Treat Persons Of All Ages Who Suffer From Alcoholism 2022
Louisiana United Methodist Children & Family Services $10,000 Ruston, LA, US Charitable Contribution To Church 2022
Martin Luther King Health Center $10,848 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide A Safety-net For Patients Who Have No Resources To Obtain Health Care 2022
Salvation Army Of Shreveport Bossier City $97,407 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide Emergency Shelter And Temporary Housing For Single Woman/men, Women With Children And Veterans 2022
Stoner Avenue Bridge House $9,850 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide A Recovery Environment Focused On A 12-step Program 2022
Volunteers Of America $20,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Reach And Uplift All People And Bring Them To The Knowledge And Active Service Of God 2022
Broadmoor United Methodist Church $190,000 Shreveport, LA, US Charitable Contribution To Church 2022
Christian Service Institue $22,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Serve Those In Need With Food, Clothing, And Other Resources 2022
Community Renewal International $20,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Connect Neighbors And Residents To Restore The Foundation Of Safe And Caring Communities 2022
Helping Others Halfway House $10,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Serve Those In Need With Food, Clothing, And Other Resources 2022
Highland Club $10,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Educate,counsel And Treat Persons Of All Ages Who Suffer From Alcoholism 2022
Louisiana United Methodist Children & Family Services $10,000 Ruston, LA, US Charitable Contribution To Church 2022
Martin Luther King Health Center $10,848 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide A Safety-net For Patients Who Have No Resources To Obtain Health Care 2022
Salvation Army Of Shreveport Bossier City $97,407 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide Emergency Shelter And Temporary Housing For Single Woman/men, Women With Children And Veterans 2022
Stoner Avenue Bridge House $9,850 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide A Recovery Environment Focused On A 12-step Program 2022
Volunteers Of America $20,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Reach And Uplift All People And Bring Them To The Knowledge And Active Service Of God 2022
Broadmoor United Methodist Church $144,370 Shreveport, LA, US Charitable Contribution To Church 2021
Christian Service Institue $20,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Serve Those In Need With Food, Clothing, And Other Resources 2021
Community Renewal International $20,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Connect Neighbors And Residents To Restore The Foundation Of Safe And Caring Communities 2021
Council On Drugs And Alcohol $15,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Educate,counsel And Treat Persons Of All Ages Who Suffer From Alcoholism 2021
Highland Club $10,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Educate,counsel And Treat Persons Of All Ages Who Suffer From Alcoholism 2021
Martin Luther King Health Center $11,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide A Safety-net For Patients Who Have No Resources To Obtain Health Care 2021
Oakwood Home For Women $32,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide A Residence For Women Recovering From The Illness Of Alcoholism And Substance Abuse 2021
Salvation Army Of Shreveport Bossier City $75,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide Emergency Shelter And Temporary Housing For Single Woman/men, Women With Children And Veterans 2021
Stoner Avenue Bridge House $9,900 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide A Recovery Environment Focused On A 12-step Program 2021
Volunteers Of America $20,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Reach And Uplift All People And Bring Them To The Knowledge And Active Service Of God 2021
Louisiana United Methodist Children & Family Services $10,000 Ruston, LA, US Charitable Contribution To Church 2021
Helping Others Halfway House $10,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Serve Those In Need With Food, Clothing, And Other Resources 2021
The Strand $9,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Secure Shows And Help Maintain 97-year-old Strand Building. 2021
Broadmoor United Methodist Church $80,000 Shreveport, LA, US Charitable Contribution To Church 2020
Christian Service Institue $30,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Serve Those In Need With Food, Clothing, And Other Resources 2020
Community Renewal International $20,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Connect Neighbors And Residents To Restore The Foundation Of Safe And Caring Communities 2020
Council On Drugs And Alcohol $15,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Educate,counsel And Treat Persons Of All Ages Who Suffer From Alcoholism 2020
Martin Luther King Health Center $11,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide A Safety-net For Patients Who Have No Resources To Obtain Health Care 2020
Oakwood Home For Women $30,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide A Residence For Women Recovering From The Illness Of Alcoholism And Substance Abuse 2020
Salvation Army Of Shreveport Bossier City $53,500 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide Emergency Shelter And Temporary Housing For Single Woman/men, Women With Children And Veterans 2020
Highland Club $10,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Educate,counsel And Treat Persons Of All Ages Who Suffer From Alcoholism 2020
Stoner Avenue Bridge House $10,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide A Recovery Environment Focused On A 12-step Program 2020
Volunteers Of America $20,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Reach And Uplift All People And Bring Them To The Knowledge And Active Service Of God 2020
Broadmoor United Methodist Church $125,930 Shreveport, LA, US Charitable Contribution To Church 2017
Oakwood Home For Women $20,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide A Residence For Women Recovering From The Illness Of Alcoholism And Substance Abuse 2017
Council On Drugs And Alcohol $10,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Educate,counsel And Treat Persons Of All Ages Who Suffer From Alcoholism 2017
Martin Luther King Health Center $16,240 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide A Safety-net For Patients Who Have No Resources To Obtain Health Care 2017
Stoner Avenue Bridge House $16,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide A Recovery Environment Focused On A 12-step Program 2017
Volunteers Of America $20,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Reach And Uplift All People And Bring Them To The Knowledge And Active Service Of God 2017
Salvation Army Of Shreveport Bossier City $24,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide Emergency Shelter And Temporary Housing For Single Woman/men, Women With Children And Veterans 2017
St Lukes Episcopal Mobile Medical Ministry $10,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Improve The Quality Of Life For Those Living In Local Communities 2017
Christian Service Institue $20,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Serve Those In Need With Food, Clothing, And Other Resources 2017
Broadmoor United Methodist Church $131,314 Shreveport, LA, US Charitable Contribution To Church 2016
Council On Drugs And Alcohol $10,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Educate,counsel And Treat Persons Of All Ages Who Suffer From Alcoholism 2016
Stoner Avenue Bridge House $10,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide A Recovery Environment Focused On A 12-step Program 2016
Martin Luther King Health Center $10,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Provide A Safety-net For Patients Who Have No Resources To Obtain Health Care 2016
Community Renewal International $20,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Connect Neighbors And Residents To Restore The Foundation Of Safe And Caring Communities 2016
Volunteers Of America $20,000 Shreveport, LA, US To Reach And Uplift All People And Bring Them To The Knowledge And Active Service Of God 2016

Foundations Similar to The Jess Merkle Foundation

Discover 5 foundations with comparable assets ($6,611,026-$7,821,582), similar grant patterns, and geographic focus in LA 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: 72-6027957 | 60 grants awarded
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$20,000
median grant
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Same state
98%
Excellent match

EIN: 26-3854804 | 31 grants awarded
$7,627,366
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$20,000
median grant
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Same state
98%
Excellent match

EIN: 26-1595286 | 27 grants awarded
$6,797,154
(≈ Similar)
$20,000
median grant
Metairie, LA
Same state
97%
Excellent match

EIN: 74-6039544 | 126 grants awarded
$7,821,582
(≈ Similar)
$15,000
median grant
New Orleans, LA
Same state
96%
Excellent match

EIN: 84-3996743 | 26 grants awarded
$6,611,026
(≈ Similar)
$25,000
median grant
Baton Rouge, LA
Same state
95%
Excellent match

Contact Information

Official contact details for The Jess Merkle Foundation as registered with the IRS. These details are essential for grant applications, correspondence, and due diligence processes.

EIN 72-1336331
Website N/A
Address 333 TEXAS STREET SUITE 700 Shreveport, LA 71101-0000

Key People (1)

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

Trustee Paul E Merkle

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 The Jess Merkle 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

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.