David and Laura Merage Foundation
The David and Laura Merage Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2002 and based in Englewood, Colorado. It operates as a venture philanthropy organization, combining financial investment with business acumen and hands-on problem-solving to create scalable, sustainable social impact. The foundation is part of Merage Philanthropies, a collective of private family foundations founded and led by different members of David and Laura Merage's family.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$3.3M
-14.7% YoY
Grant Count
27
-6.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$123K
-8.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on creating opportunities for future generations through venture philanthropy, investing in initiatives, organizations, and ideas that move society toward a more equitable future. The foundation's commitment to lasting change is rooted in the founders' personal experiences as immigrants.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Early Learning & Childcare: Expanding access to quality, affordable childcare through innovative shared services models
- Arts & Culture: Supporting art initiatives that revitalize communities and bring people together
- Mental Health: Supporting mental health initiatives
- Criminal Justice: Funding criminal justice reform efforts
- Jewish Causes: Supporting Jewish nonprofits and community building, particularly in Israel
- Education: Early childhood education policy and educational initiatives
- Human Services: Various human services programs
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s**: Typical awards range from $150 to $2,300,000, with an average grant amount of approximately $581.
Average Grant
amount of approximately $581.
How to Apply
**: The foundation is noted as not being easily accessible. Networking with the foundation's leadership and previous grantees is recommended for gaining attention.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects across multiple U.S. states and cities, with particular emphasis on:
- Colorado: Especially the Denver area, where the foundation has invested millions in mental health, early childhood education policy, and the arts
- Pennsylvania
- North Carolina
- California
- New York
- Israel: Through the Merage Foundation Israel initiative
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $69,559,462
- Total Revenue: $5,205,765
- Total Expenses: $4,208,694
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $68.6 million
- Total Revenue: $5.23 million
- Total Expenses: $4.63 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
166 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include National Philanthropic Trust ($1,235,000), Black Cube ($450,000), Jewish Colorado ($320,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-Defamation League Denver, CO | General Support | $311,220 |
| Colorado Children's Campaign Denver, CO | General Support | $5,000 |
| RedLine Denver, CO | General Support | $100,000 |
| Early Learning Ventures Englewood, CO | General Support | $250,000 |
| National Philanthropic Trust Jenkintown, PA | Donor Advised Fund | $1,235,000 |
| Colorado Photographic Arts Center Denver, CO | General Support | $31,030 |
| Jewish Colorado Denver, CO | General Support | $320,000 |
| Hillel of Colorado Denver, CO | General Support | $41,000 |
| CO Business Committee for the Arts Denver, CO | General Support | $3,050 |
| Black Cube Denver, CO | General Support | $450,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
David Merage: Co-founder and director. An entrepreneur who co-founded Chef America (known for developing Hot Pockets) and currently runs Consolidated Investment Group, which invests in capital markets, private equity, and real estate. Serves as director with minimal compensation (approximately 5 hours annually).
Laura Merage: Co-founder and director. An artist and philanthropist who serves on numerous boards, launched Denver's RedLine Contemporary Art Center, and founded Black Cube. Serves as director with minimal compensation (approximately 5 hours annually).
Michael Niyompong: Executive Director
Nicole Hod Stroh: Executive Director of Merage Foundation Israel
Judy Williams: Chief Executive Officer of Early Learning Ventures
Cortney Lane Stell: Executive Director and Chief Curator of Black Cube
Mireya Garing: Vice President of Human Resources
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Merage | President | 5 | — |
| Laura Merage | Vice President | 5 | — |
| Sabrina Naim | Vice President | 5 | — |
| Michael Niyompong | Executive Dir. | 40 | $132,641 |
| Sue Renner | Secretary | 40 | $127,327 |
| Rob Nelson | Vice President | 5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues to operate its signature initiatives with active grantmaking. Early Learning Ventures released an annual impact report for 2024, demonstrating ongoing commitment to early childhood education expansion. The foundation has also supported frontline healthcare workers' families during recent crises, including donations of toys for young children of frontline healthcare workers in Denver.
[PDF] Impact Report - Early Learning VenturesSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does David and Laura Merage Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on creating opportunities for future generations through venture philanthropy, investing in initiatives, organizations, and ideas that move society toward a more equitable future. The foundation's commitment to lasting change is rooted in the founders' personal experiences as immigrants. Primary funding focus areas include: • **Early Learning & Childcare**: Expanding access to quality, affordable childcare through innovative shared services models • **Arts & Cul…
How do I apply for a grant from David and Laura Merage Foundation?
**Grant Sizes**: Typical awards range from $150 to $2,300,000, with an average grant amount of approximately $581. **Recent Grant Activity** (2024): • National Philanthropic Trust (Donor Advised Fund): $1,235,000 • Black Cube (General Support): $450,000 • Early Learning Ventures (General Support): $250,000 **Total giving in 2024**: $3,324,750 **Application Process**: The foundation is noted as not being easily accessible. Networking with the foundation's leadership and previous grantees is reco…
Where does David and Laura Merage Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds projects across multiple U.S. states and cities, with particular emphasis on: • **Colorado**: Especially the Denver area, where the foundation has invested millions in mental health, early childhood education policy, and the arts • **Pennsylvania** • **North Carolina** • **California** • **New York** • **Israel**: Through the Merage Foundation Israel initiative
What size grants does David and Laura Merage Foundation award?
In 2024, David and Laura Merage Foundation awarded 27 grants totaling $3.3M — an average of about $123K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is David and Laura Merage Foundation's EIN?
David and Laura Merage Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-0493925. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in David and Laura Merage Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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