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
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
**
Ready to take the next step with Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation?
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
No grants recorded for .
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
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Realtor Association of the Sioux Empire
SIOUX FALLS, SD
Assets
$2.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$50K
Protector Project Inc
TEA, SD
Assets
$19
Grants
0
Total Given
—
East River Electric Power
MADISON, SD
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
5
Total Given
$36K
Sanford Group Return
SIOUX FALLS, SD
Assets
$4.3B
Grants
166
Total Given
$25.9M
A Coe & Dorothy Frankhauser Trust
SIOUX FALLS, SD
Assets
—
Grants
9
Total Given
$64K
Ride Therapy Project
SUMMERSET, SD
Assets
—
Grants
1
Total Given
$2K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities