The Merlin Foundation | Foundation Profile

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

EIN: 84-1232001

Foundation Overview

Based in Boulder, CO, The Merlin Foundation has awarded 212 grants totaling $42,238,956 to organizations in Alaska, New York and 12 other states, plus international recipients. Individual grants range from $1,000 to $3,000,000, with a median award of $30,000.

Latest Tax Year
2023
Total Giving (all years)
$42,238,956
Total Assets
$12,149,207
Median Grant (all grants)
$30,000

Latest Form 990-PF Snapshot

Total Grants
28
Median Grant
$87,500
% Median Grant Growth
+75% (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
Balanced Approach: 32%

9 of 28 recipients (32%) were new grantees. Foundation maintains loyal partnerships while remaining open to qualified new applicants with strong proposals.

Geographic Focus
Colorado

Grants are geographically diversified with 21% in Colorado and funding distributed across 15 total locations. This foundation values broad geographic impact and diverse community partnerships. Within Colorado, funding concentrates in Boulder (27%), Aspen (18%), Colorado Springs (16%).

Funding Trajectory
+1006%

Strong 1006% 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

Highly focused on general purposes with 100% of funding dedicated to this sector. This specialization indicates deep expertise and committed investment in the field.

Where is The Money Going?

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Grants & Funding

Analyzing past grantees provides valuable insights into The Merlin 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
American Rivers $50,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2023
Aspen Center For Environmental Studies $100,000 Aspen, CO, US General Purpose 2023
Earthjustice League Defense Fund $1,000,000 San Francisco, CA, US General Purpose 2023
Heroes Project $175,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2023
Jane Goodall Institute $200,000 Vienna, VA, US General Purpose 2023
Monterey Bay Acquarium $25,000 Monterey, CA, US General Purpose 2023
Oceana $250,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2023
One Percent Of The Planet $25,000 Burlington, VT, US General Purpose 2023
Open Space Institute $30,000 New York, NY, US General Purpose 2023
Palmer Land Trust $25,000 Colorado Springs, CO, US General Purpose 2023
Alaska Wilderness League $50,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2023
The Wilderness Society $800,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2023
Thorne Nature Experience $25,000 Boulder, CO, US General Purpose 2023
Wilderness Land Trust $75,000 Bainbridge Island, WA, US General Purpose 2023
Wilderness Workshop $25,000 Carbondale, CO, US General Purpose 2023
Wildlife Conservation Society $100,000 Bronx, NY, US General Purpose 2023
Yale University $130,000 New Haven, CT, US General Purpose 2023
Colorado Open Lands $25,000 Lakewood, CO, US General Purpose 2023
Eo Wilson Biodiversity Foundation $25,000 Durham, NC, US General Purpose 2023
Defenders Of Wildlife $25,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2023
National Park Foundation $100,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2023
Outdoor Afro $100,000 Oakland, CA, US General Purpose 2023
Re Wild $100,000 Austin, TX, US General Purpose 2023
The Rhodes Trust $500,000 Oxford, Foreign, UK General Purpose 2023
University Of Southern Mississippi $25,000 Hattiesburg, MS, US General Purpose 2023
Vermont College Of Fine Arts $100,000 Montpelier, VT, US General Purpose 2023
World Wildlife Fund $1,000,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2023
American Friends Of The Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra $25,000 New York, NY, US General Purpose 2023
American Rivers $50,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2022
Aspen Center For Environmental Studies $100,000 Aspen, CO, US General Purpose 2022
Earthjustice League Defense Fund $1,000,000 San Francisco, CA, US General Purpose 2022
Heroes Project $195,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2022
Jane Goodall Institute $100,000 Vienna, VA, US General Purpose 2022
Monterey Bay Acquarium $25,000 Monterey, CA, US General Purpose 2022
Oceana $100,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2022
One Percent Of The Planet $25,000 Burlington, VT, US General Purpose 2022
Open Space Institute $30,000 New York, NY, US General Purpose 2022
Palmer Land Trust $25,000 Colorado Springs, CO, US General Purpose 2022
The Uc Santa Barbara Foundation $100,000 Santa Barbara, CA, US General Purpose 2022
Thorne Nature Experience $25,000 Boulder, CO, US General Purpose 2022
Wilderness Land Trust $25,000 Bainbridge Island, WA, US General Purpose 2022
Wilderness Workshop $50,000 Carbondale, CO, US General Purpose 2022
Wildlife Conservation Society $100,000 Bronx, NY, US General Purpose 2022
The Wilderness Society $1,550,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2022
Yale University $30,000 New Haven, CT, US General Purpose 2022
American Rivers $50,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2022
Aspen Center For Environmental Studies $100,000 Aspen, CO, US General Purpose 2022
Earthjustice League Defense Fund $1,000,000 San Francisco, CA, US General Purpose 2022
Heroes Project $195,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2022
Jane Goodall Institute $100,000 Vienna, VA, US General Purpose 2022
Monterey Bay Acquarium $25,000 Monterey, CA, US General Purpose 2022
Oceana $100,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2022
One Percent Of The Planet $25,000 Burlington, VT, US General Purpose 2022
Open Space Institute $30,000 New York, NY, US General Purpose 2022
Palmer Land Trust $25,000 Colorado Springs, CO, US General Purpose 2022
The Uc Santa Barbara Foundation $100,000 Santa Barbara, CA, US General Purpose 2022
Thorne Nature Experience $25,000 Boulder, CO, US General Purpose 2022
Wilderness Land Trust $25,000 Bainbridge Island, WA, US General Purpose 2022
Wilderness Workshop $50,000 Carbondale, CO, US General Purpose 2022
Wildlife Conservation Society $100,000 Bronx, NY, US General Purpose 2022
The Wilderness Society $1,550,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2022
Yale University $30,000 New Haven, CT, US General Purpose 2022
Alaska Wilderness Fund $50,000 Anchorage, AK, US General Purpose 2021
Americans For Oxford $2,005,000 New York, NY, US General Purpose 2021
Aspen Center For Environmental Studies $100,000 Aspen, CO, US General Purpose 2021
American Rivers $50,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2021
Earthjustice League Defense Fund $1,000,000 San Francisco, CA, US General Purpose 2021
Colorodo Open Lands $125,000 Lakewood, CO, US General Purpose 2021
Heroes Project $180,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2021
Jane Goodall Institute $50,000 Vienna, VA, US General Purpose 2021
Union Of Concerned Scientists $10,000 Cambridge, MA, US General Purpose 2021
Oceana $100,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2021
One Percent Of The Planet $25,000 Burlington, VT, US General Purpose 2021
Open Space Institute $30,000 New York, NY, US General Purpose 2021
Palmer Land Trust $25,000 Colorado Springs, CO, US General Purpose 2021
Sierra Club Foundation $25,000 Oakland, CA, US General Purpose 2021
Thorne Nature Experience $25,000 Boulder, CO, US General Purpose 2021
Tompkins Conservation $100,000 San Francisco, CA, US General Purpose 2021
Vermont College Of Fine Arts $100,000 Montpelier, VT, US General Purpose 2021
Wilderness Land Trust $25,000 Bainbridge Island, WA, US General Purpose 2021
Wilderness Workshop $50,000 Carbondale, CO, US General Purpose 2021
Wildlife Conservation Society $2,600,000 Bronx, NY, US General Purpose 2021
World Wildlife Fund $1,100,000 Merrifield, VA, US General Purpose 2021
Monterey Bay Acquarium $25,000 Monterey, CA, US General Purpose 2021
Alaska Wilderness Fund $50,000 Anchorage, AK, US General Purpose 2021
Americans For Oxford $2,005,000 New York, NY, US General Purpose 2021
Aspen Center For Environmental Studies $100,000 Aspen, CO, US General Purpose 2021
American Rivers $50,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2021
Earthjustice League Defense Fund $1,000,000 San Francisco, CA, US General Purpose 2021
Colorodo Open Lands $125,000 Lakewood, CO, US General Purpose 2021
Heroes Project $180,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2021
Jane Goodall Institute $50,000 Vienna, VA, US General Purpose 2021
Union Of Concerned Scientists $10,000 Cambridge, MA, US General Purpose 2021
Oceana $100,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2021
One Percent Of The Planet $25,000 Burlington, VT, US General Purpose 2021
Open Space Institute $30,000 New York, NY, US General Purpose 2021
Palmer Land Trust $25,000 Colorado Springs, CO, US General Purpose 2021
Sierra Club Foundation $25,000 Oakland, CA, US General Purpose 2021
Thorne Nature Experience $25,000 Boulder, CO, US General Purpose 2021
Tompkins Conservation $100,000 San Francisco, CA, US General Purpose 2021
Vermont College Of Fine Arts $100,000 Montpelier, VT, US General Purpose 2021
Wilderness Land Trust $25,000 Bainbridge Island, WA, US General Purpose 2021
Wilderness Workshop $50,000 Carbondale, CO, US General Purpose 2021
Wildlife Conservation Society $2,600,000 Bronx, NY, US General Purpose 2021
World Wildlife Fund $1,100,000 Merrifield, VA, US General Purpose 2021
Monterey Bay Acquarium $25,000 Monterey, CA, US General Purpose 2021
Alaska Wilderness Fund $25,000 Anchorage, AK, US General Purpose 2020
Americans For Oxford $3,000,000 New York, NY, US General Purpose 2020
Aspen Center For Environmental Studies $100,000 Aspen, CO, US General Purpose 2020
Conservation International $50,000 Arlington, VA, US General Purpose 2020
Earthjustice League Defense Fund $1,000,000 San Francisco, CA, US General Purpose 2020
Environmental Defense Fund $10,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2020
Heroes Project $210,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2020
Jane Goodall Institute $25,000 Vienna, VA, US General Purpose 2020
Kinhaven Music School $1,000 Weston, VT, US General Purpose 2020
Milton Academy $1,000 Milton, MA, US General Purpose 2020
National Parks Association $10,000 New York, NY, US General Purpose 2020
Natural Resources Defense Council $10,000 New York, NY, US General Purpose 2020
Oceana $100,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2020
One Percent Of The Planet $25,000 Burlington, VT, US General Purpose 2020
Palmer Land Trust $25,000 Colorado Springs, CO, US General Purpose 2020
Sierra Club Foundation $25,000 Oakland, CA, US General Purpose 2020
Wilderness Workshop $50,000 Carbondale, CO, US General Purpose 2020
Thorne Nature Experience $25,000 Boulder, CO, US General Purpose 2020
Vermont College Of Fine Arts $150,000 Montpelier, VT, US General Purpose 2020
Wilderness Land Trust $25,000 Bainbridge Island, WA, US General Purpose 2020
Wildlife Conservation Society $50,000 Bronx, NY, US General Purpose 2020
Yale School Of Forestry $30,000 New Haven, CT, US General Purpose 2020
Open Space Institute $30,000 New York, NY, US General Purpose 2020
Tompkins Conservation $100,000 San Francisco, CA, US General Purpose 2020
Wilderness Society $1,000,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2020
World Wildlife Fund $50,000 Merrifield, VA, US General Purpose 2020
Aspen Center For Environmental Studies $100,000 Aspen, CO, US General Purpose 2019
Americans For Oxford $340,000 New York, NY, US General Purpose 2019
Earthjustice League Defense Fund $1,000,000 New York, NY, US General Purpose 2019
Environment Co Research And Policy $10,000 Denver, CO, US General Purpose 2019
Heroes Project $166,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2019
Kinhaven Music School $1,000 Weston, VT, US General Purpose 2019
Milton Academy $1,000 Milton, MA, US General Purpose 2019
Natural Resources Defense Council $10,000 New York, NY, US General Purpose 2019
Oceana $10,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2019
One Percent Of The Planet $25,000 Burlington, VT, US General Purpose 2019
The Nature Conservancy Of Colordo $10,000 New York, NY, US General Purpose 2019
The Uc Santa Barbara Foundation $150,000 Santa Barbara, CA, US General Purpose 2019
The Wilderness Society $1,000,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2019
Vermont College Of Fine Arts $100,000 Montpelier, VT, US General Purpose 2019
Yale School Of Forestry $25,000 New Haven, CT, US General Purpose 2019
Jane Goodall Institute $25,000 Vienna, VA, US General Purpose 2019
Palmer Land Trust $35,000 Colorado Springs, CO, US General Purpose 2019
Save The Redwoods League $70,000 San Francisco, CA, US General Purpose 2019
Sierra Club Foundation $25,000 Oakland, CA, US General Purpose 2019
Thorne Nature Experience $25,000 Boulder, CO, US General Purpose 2019
Wilderness Land Trust $25,000 Bainbridge Island, WA, US General Purpose 2019
Wildlife Conservation Society $100,000 Bronx, NY, US General Purpose 2019
National Parks Association $25,000 New York, NY, US General Purpose 2019
Conservation International $50,000 Arlington, VA, US General Purpose 2019
Alaska Wilderness Fund $25,000 Anchorage, AK, US General Purpose 2019
American Farmland Trust $10,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2017
African Parks $100,206 New York, NY, US General Purpose 2017
Conservation Colorado $10,000 Denver, CO, US General Purpose 2017
Conservation International $10,000 Arlington, VA, US General Purpose 2017
Conservation Patagonia $10,000 Sausalito, CA, US General Purpose 2017
Environment Co Research And Policy $10,000 Denver, CO, US General Purpose 2017
Environmental Defense Fund $50,000 New Haven, NY, US General Purpose 2017
Heroes Project $172,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2017
Jane Goodall Institute $100,206 Vienna, VA, US General Purpose 2017
Kinhaver Annual Fund $1,000 Maplewood, NJ, US General Purpose 2017
Milton Academy $1,000 Milton, MA, US General Purpose 2017
League Of Conservation Voters $100,206 New York, NY, US General Purpose 2017
Nature Conservancy Of Colorado $10,000 Boulder, CO, US General Purpose 2017
Oceana $10,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2017
The Wilderness Society $1,000,464 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2017
Thorne Nature Experience $20,000 Boulder, CO, US General Purpose 2017
The Uc Santa Barbara Foundation $200,874 Santa Barbara, CA, US General Purpose 2017
Yale School Forestry Environmental Studies $25,000 New Haven, CT, US General Purpose 2017
American Farmland Trust $10,000 Washington, DC, US General 2016
Conservation Colorado $10,000 Denver, CO, US General Purpose 2016
Earthjustice League Defense Fund $1,000,000 San Francisco, CA, US General Purpose 2016
Environment Co Research And Policy $10,000 Denver, CO, US General Purpose 2016
Environmental Defense Fund $25,000 New Haven, NY, US General Purpose 2016
Heroes Project $105,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2016
Jane Goodall Institute $10,000 Vienna, VA, US General Purpose 2016
Oceana $10,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2016
Save The Redwood League $10,000 San Francisco, CA, US General Purpose 2016
The Wilderness Society $1,100,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2016
Thorne Nature Experience $20,000 Boulder, CO, US General Purpose 2016
Americans For Oxford $210,000 New York, NY, US General Purpose 2016
Colorado Open Lands $20,000 Lakewood, CO, US General Purpose 2016
Monterey Bay Aquarium $25,000 Monterey, CA, US General Purpose 2016
Natural Resources Defense Council $20,000 New York, NY, US General Purpose 2016
Nature Conservancy Of Colorado $20,000 Boulder, CO, US General Purpose 2016
Wilderness Land Trust $56,000 Basalt, CO, US General Purpose 2016
Yale School Forestry Environmental Studies $25,000 New Haven, CT, US General Purpose 2016
American Farmland Trust $10,000 Washington, DC, US General 2015
Aspen Center For Environmental Studies $20,000 Aspen, CO, US General Purpose 2015
Climate Central $25,000 Princeton, NJ, US General 2015
Conservation Colorado $10,000 Denver, CO, US General Purpose 2015
Conservation Patagonia $10,000 Sausalito, CA, US General Purpose 2015
Conservation International $10,000 Arlington, VA, US General Purpose 2015
Environment Co Research And Policy $50,000 Denver, CO, US General Purpose 2015
Environmental Defense Fund $20,000 New Haven, NY, US General Purpose 2015
Earthjustice League Defense Fund $10,000 San Francisco, CA, US General Purpose 2015
Heroes Project $180,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2015
Kinhaver Annual Fund $1,000 Maplewood, NJ, US General Purpose 2015
Milton Academy $1,000 Milton, MA, US General Purpose 2015
Ocean Conservancy $10,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2015
Oceana $10,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2015
Save The Redwood League $10,000 San Francisco, CA, US General Purpose 2015
Student Conservation Association $5,000 Oakland, CA, US General Purpose 2015
The Wilderness Society $10,000 Washington, DC, US General Purpose 2015
Thorne Nature Experience $20,000 Boulder, CO, US General Purpose 2015
Jane Goodall Institute $50,000 Vienna, VA, US General Purpose 2015

Foundations Similar to The Merlin Foundation

Discover 5 foundations with comparable assets ($11,945,281-$12,358,968), similar grant patterns, and geographic focus in CO 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: 84-1465773 | 140 grants awarded
$12,056,433
(≈ Similar)
$40,000
median grant
Denver, CO
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 74-2501168 | 43 grants awarded
$12,054,782
(≈ Similar)
$20,000
median grant
Boulder, CO
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 31-6672533 | 110 grants awarded
$12,313,632
(≈ Similar)
$27,477
median grant
Creede, CO
Same state
99%
Excellent match

EIN: 27-1868389 | 665 grants awarded
$11,945,281
(≈ Similar)
$25,000
median grant
Littleton, CO
Same state
99%
Excellent match

EIN: 84-0925851 | 167 grants awarded
$12,358,968
(≈ Similar)
$25,000
median grant
Denver, CO
Same state
99%
Excellent match

Contact Information

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

EIN 84-1232001
Website N/A
Address PO BOX 18750 Boulder, CO 80308-1750

Key People (3)

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

President Thomas A Barron
Director Currie C Barron
Director Jana Lynn

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 Merlin 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.