Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation
The Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation is a private, family foundation based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Established in 1999 in Florida and receiving its IRS ruling in November 2000, the foundation operates as a non-operating foundation committed to supporting qualified tax-exempt organizations focused on charitable work.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$665.6M
-2.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$53.8M
+2537.4% YoY
Grant Count
9
-30.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6.0M
+3709.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation reported a distributable amount of $12.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to provide support to qualified organizations that focus on true charity, which it describes as "the highest form of love; the unselfish love of one's fellow man." The foundation aims to show kindness and compassion toward those in need of aid in a manner that provides hope, restores independence, and brings happiness and gratitude into their lives.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Hunger relief—reducing the number of people who go to bed hungry
- Medical services—providing medical services to those who cannot afford them
- Educational opportunities—giving children and youth opportunities to education they would normally not have
- Recreational opportunities—providing recreational opportunities to children and youth
- Faith-based programs and initiatives
- Community development and human services
The foundation serves all people regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity, with a primary goal of providing hope where little exists, giving aid to those less fortunate and most vulnerable, and offering opportunity where there is currently none.
Grantmaking
The foundation appears to have a website with application guidelines. Grantseekers are directed to check the website for the latest grant application information.
Grant Range
$25,000
Average Grant
$2.3 million
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- New York
- South Dakota
- Florida
- Virginia
The foundation has supported 21 unique organizations across these regions.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Income:
- Total assets: $665.6 million (as of 2024)
- Total assets (alternative source): $682 million (2023)
- Annual income: $7.4 million
- Total giving: $53.8 million (2024)
- Revenue: $5.43 million (2023)
- Expenses: $3.45 million (2023)
Asset Growth: Total assets have grown from $1.9 million in 2010 to $665.6 million in 2024.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $665,553,891 | $681,753,842 | $679,701,218 |
| Revenue | $1,271,121 | $5,427,446 | $8,480,865 |
| Expenses | $55,272,147 | $3,445,241 | $2,912,255 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $55,039,022 | $3,269,737 | $2,196,948 |
| Net Investment Income | — | $1,856,032 | $3,660,741 |
| Distributable Amount | $12,052,897 | $19,646,195 | $18,735,746 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
57 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Tunnels to Towers ($52,143,750), Pines Foundation ($1,000,000), Freedom Alliance ($400,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICA'S VETDOGS SMITHTOWN, NY | GENERAL PURPOSES | $15,000 |
| BACK ON MY FEET NEW YORK, NY | TO PROVIDE SUPPORTS FOR HOMELESS INVIDUALS | $10,000 |
| FREEDOM ALLIANCE WINCHESTER, VA | $200,000 TO STUDENTS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM; $150,000 TO SUPPORT OUR TROOPS PROGRAM; $25,000 TO STUDENT OUTREACH PROJECT; $15,000 TO GIFTS FROM HOME CARE PACKAGES; $10,000 TO PRESENTS FOR PATRIOTS | $400,000 |
| GUIDE DOG FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND INC SMITHTOWN, NY | GENERAL PURPOSES | $15,000 |
| HOPE FOR NEW YORK NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 TO AVAIL NYC; $20,000 TO CITY RELIEF; $10,000 TO DON'T WALK BY; $20,000 TO EXPECT HOPE; $10,000 TO HIS TOY STORE; $20,000 TO NEW BEGINNINGS; $10,000 TO OPERATIONS EXODUS; $10,000 TO SHILOH NYC; $20,000 TO THE BOWERY MISSION; $20,000 TO THE FATHER'S HEART MINISTRIES; $10,000 TO YOUTH FOR CHRIST; $20,000 TO TEEN CHALLENGE; $10,000 FOR VOLUNTEER'S FUND | $200,000 |
| PINES FOUNDATION SARASOTA, FL | GENERAL PURPOSES | $1,000,000 |
| SIOUX FALLS AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SIOUX FALLS, SD | $5,000 TO SOUTH DAKOTA TRUST COMPANY CHARITABLE FUND & $5,000 TO SOUTH DAKOTA TRUST COMPANY FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT FUND | $10,000 |
| THE BANQUET SIOUX FALLS, SD | GENERAL PURPOSES | $10,000 |
| TUNNELS TO TOWERS STATEN ISLAND, NY | TO FURTHER THE DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE IN ACCORDANCE WITH DONEE'S MISSION STATEMENT | $52,143,750 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Nancy L. Close — Direction Advisor (40 hours/week, $945,000 annual compensation)
- Dianne R. Stadtfeld SDTC LLC — Principal Officer
- Lavender Trust Company Inc. — Trustee (10 hours/week, $2,500 annual compensation)
The foundation is governed by 2 officers and trustees and appears to have dedicated paid staff.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NANCY L CLOSE | DIRECTION ADVISOR | 40 | $945,000 |
| LAVENDER TRUST COMPANY INC | TRUSTEE | 10 | $2,500 |
Contact Information
- Address: 212 S Main Ave Ste 133, Sioux Falls, SD 57104-6310
- Phone: 605-271-5154
- Website: https://mertzfoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to provide support to qualified organizations that focus on true charity, which it describes as "the highest form of love; the unselfish love of one's fellow man." The foundation aims to show kindness and compassion toward those in need of aid in a manner that provides hope, restores independence, and brings happiness and gratitude into their lives. **Primary funding focus areas include:** • Hunger relief—reducing the number of people who go to bed hungry • Medical s…
How do I apply for a grant from Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total grants made: 55 grants totaling $124 million (as of 2024) • Median grant size: $25,000 • Average grant size: $2.3 million • Grant range: $5,000 to $52.1 million • Annual distribution: Between $2.2 million and $57.4 million annually (2020-2024) **Application Process:** The foundation appears to have a website with application guidelines. Grantseekers are directed to check the website for the latest grant application information.
Where does Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • New York • South Dakota • Florida • Virginia The foundation has supported 21 unique organizations across these regions.
What size grants does Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation award?
In 2024, Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation awarded 9 grants totaling $53.8M — an average of about $6.0M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation reported a distributable amount of $12.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation's EIN?
Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-7231616. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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