The Edward and Norma Jean Meer Charitable Foundation is a private foundation based in Oak Park, Michigan. The foundation was established to support philanthropic causes, with a particular focus on the Detroit Jewish community.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.6M
-12.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$715K
-19.7% YoY
Grant Count
78
+8.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$9K
-25.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Edward and Norma Jean Meer reported a distributable amount of $301K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation has demonstrated a commitment to the Detroit Jewish community and the broader Michigan region.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Based on the most recent IRS Form 990 filing (2023):
- Total Assets: $5,293,531
- Total Giving: $890,594
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,637,129 | $5,293,531 | $6,080,939 |
| Revenue | $82,583 | $123,969 | $114,550 |
| Expenses | $738,985 | $911,377 | $945,644 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $715,252 | $890,594 | $915,623 |
| Net Investment Income | $66,229 | $113,587 | $79,103 |
| Distributable Amount | $300,581 | $275,082 | $311,441 |
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
200 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Bais Refeol Foundation ($214,000), Matan B'seter Detroit ($19,200), Ohalei Yosef Yitzchak ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AISH HATORAH OF DETROIT OAK PARK, MI | GENERAL USE | $5,000 |
| AIUB HATORAH LAKEWOOD, NJ | GENERAL USE | $1,000 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF BARUCH FEIGA LI MARPHE BROOKLYN NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL USE | $1,000 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF HEBRON YESHIVA NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL USE | $180 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF PONEVEZ YASHIVE NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL USE | $360 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF YESHIVA BIRCAS HATORAH POSAIC, NJ | GENERAL USE | $180 |
| ASHERCHA YISROEL BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL USE | $3,600 |
| BAIS CHABAD WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI | GENERAL USE | $5,540 |
| BAIS REFEOL FOUNDATION SOUTHFIELD, MI | GENERAL USE | $214,000 |
| BETH EL MEMORIAL PARK HAMDEN, CT | GENERAL USE | $4,300 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Edward Meer (1925–2020) was the founder and driving force behind the foundation. A Bloomfield Hills resident, he was known for his generosity, business acumen, and devotion to family. Norma Jean, his first wife whom he met at Central High School in Detroit, is the co-namesake of the foundation. Edward served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific theater before returning to establish his philanthropic legacy.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEFFREY A MEER | PRES/TREAS | 2 | — |
| PHYLLIS A MEER | SECRETARY/TREASURER | 2 | — |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Edward Meer passed away on October 5, 2020, at the age of 95. The foundation continues to operate and distribute grants in accordance with his philanthropic vision.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Edward and Norma Jean Meer make grants?
The foundation has demonstrated a commitment to the Detroit Jewish community and the broader Michigan region.
What size grants does Edward and Norma Jean Meer award?
In 2024, Edward and Norma Jean Meer awarded 78 grants totaling $715K — an average of about $9K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Edward and Norma Jean Meer required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Edward and Norma Jean Meer reported a distributable amount of $301K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Edward and Norma Jean Meer's EIN?
Edward and Norma Jean Meer's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-3925777. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
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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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