France-Merrick Foundation Inc
France-Merrick Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Baltimore, Maryland. It invests in nonprofit organizations through grants and collaborative efforts to enrich quality of life across Baltimore and beyond, with grantmaking concentrated in Maryland and primarily in the greater Baltimore area.
France-Merrick Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: France-Merrick Foundation Inc gave $10.1M across 184 grants in 2025 (avg $55K), mostly in Maryland. 39% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $10,056,030
- +8.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 184
- -15.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $54,652
- +28.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $22,370
- Total assets
- $192,721,440
- -14.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 39% first-time grantees (71 of 184, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Maryland (92% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to France-Merrick Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- Invitation Only
-
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests through a two-stage process. Organizations first submit a letter of inquiry (LOI); proposals are by invitation after the LOI review. Applicants must be a nonprofit with 501(c)(3) status, or have a 501(c)(3) fiscal agent in good standing. The Foundation accepts LOIs on a rolling basis. It acknowledges LOIs received on business days within 24 hours; decisions about inviting proposals for requests under $50,000 are communicated monthly, while decisions for larger requests follow the LOI closing date posted on its website.
- Review Cycle
- LOIs are accepted on a rolling basis. The Foundation’s filing describes four funding cycles a year, with the timeline posted on its website.
- Deadline
- LOIs are accepted on a rolling basis.
- Contact
Application contact: Amy Gross
Mailing address: 1 Village Square Suite 131, Baltimore, MD 21210
Phone: (410) 464-2004
Website: https://france-merrickfdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from France-Merrick Foundation Inc
Who France-Merrick Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was USM - University of Baltimore Foundation ($305K). Together the top 10 received $2.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,001 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 658 grants of 1,001 (66%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation concentrates grantmaking in Maryland, primarily in the greater Baltimore area. In 2025, 92% of grant dollars went to recipients in Maryland; 3% each went to Virginia and the District of Columbia, and 1% each went to New Hampshire and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 184 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is France-Merrick Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
39%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 71 of 184 grantees (39%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $57K; repeat grants $53K. How we count
Medians: $35K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 44% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 22% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 100% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $9.2M (2024) to $12.8M (2022). In 2025 it made 184 grants totaling $10.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| USM - University of Baltimore Foundation Baltimore, MD | Grants are to be used in accordance with the established purpose of the recipient organization. | $305,000 |
| Turnaround Tuesday Inc Baltimore, MD | Grants are to be used in accordance with the established purpose of the recipient organization. | $300,000 |
| USM - University of Maryland Baltimore County Baltimore, MD | Grants are to be used in accordance with the established purpose of the recipient organization. | $300,000 |
| Nature Conservancy Arlington, VA | Grants are to be used in accordance with the established purpose of the recipient organization. | $254,500 |
| The HCH Real Estate Company Inc Baltimore, MD | Grants are to be used in accordance with the established purpose of the recipient organization. | $250,000 |
| JHU - School of Nursing Baltimore, MD | Grants are to be used in accordance with the established purpose of the recipient organization. | $205,000 |
| Drink at the Well Inc Baltimore, MD | Grants are to be used in accordance with the established purpose of the recipient organization. | $201,000 |
| Maryland Science Center Baltimore, MD | Grants are to be used in accordance with the established purpose of the recipient organization. | $200,000 |
| Park West Health System Baltimore, MD | Grants are to be used in accordance with the established purpose of the recipient organization. | $200,000 |
| Pikesville Armory Foundation Stevenson, MD | Grants are to be used in accordance with the established purpose of the recipient organization. | $200,000 |
Ready to take the next step with France-Merrick Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $192,721,440 | $14,895,948 | $13,397,636 | $10,056,030 | 184 | $11,411,311 | $13,126,158 | $11,412,609 |
| 2024 | $226,128,337 | $11,503,677 | $12,258,783 | $9,230,330 | 217 | $10,732,208 | $10,114,429 | $10,452,215 |
| 2023 | $212,985,637 | $426,610 | $12,267,810 | $9,283,720 | 198 | $10,574,684 | $3,245,050 | $10,447,116 |
| 2022 | $211,262,659 | $11,907,913 | $15,513,454 | $12,830,673 | 213 | $13,890,187 | $10,416,835 | $11,887,239 |
| 2021 | $255,982,704 | $49,912,897 | $10,797,108 | $9,480,831 | 189 | — | $31,747,371 | $12,300,646 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, France-Merrick Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $11.4M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to invest in nonprofit organizations to enrich quality of life across Baltimore and beyond through grantmaking and collaborative efforts. Its six areas of focus are civic and culture, community and economic development, conservation or environment, education, health and human services, and historic preservation.
Grantees’ missions illustrate the range of work supported. Turnaround Tuesday Inc says it prepares, trains, and connects returning, unemployed, and underemployed citizens to living-wage jobs and builds public life. The Nature Conservancy describes its mission as conserving the lands and waters on which life depends. Drink at the Well Inc describes its work as supporting a community of women through long-term relationships, practical programs, and the healing power of love. Other 2025 grantees include organizations whose stated missions involve science education, services for people impacted by poverty, health care, historic-building revitalization, and community real-estate investment.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 184 grants totaling $10,056,030. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $305,000, with a median grant of $22,370.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $305,000 to USM - University of Baltimore Foundation; $300,000 each to Turnaround Tuesday Inc and USM - University of Maryland Baltimore County; and $254,500 to the Nature Conservancy. Other notable grants included $250,000 to The HCH Real Estate Company Inc, $205,000 to JHU - School of Nursing, and $200,000 each to Maryland Science Center, Park West Health System, Pikesville Armory Foundation, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, and St Vincent de Paul of Baltimore Inc. The filing states that these grants are to be used in accordance with each recipient organization’s established purpose.
Traditional requests should be one-time, project-oriented, and have defined beginnings and endings. The Foundation favors projects that do not require ongoing financial support and expects applicants to demonstrate financial stability, administrative capacity, and program effectiveness. It does not fund individuals, special events or advertising in programs, deficit financing or debt reduction, political activities, or general operating or annual giving. For new construction or renovation requests, it gives special attention to sustainable building practices and energy conservation.
For fiscal year 2027, the Meet the Moment Fund may account for up to 40% of the Foundation’s annual distribution and is available only to prior grantees. It supports short-term responses to disruptions in essential services, organizational sustainability, and collaborative approaches to complex needs. The Foundation describes gap support and strategic response support as priorities for this fund.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Amy Gross as president; Walter D Pinkard Jr as chair; Peter Pinkard as vice-chair; Robert G Merrick III as treasurer; and Gregory C Pinkard, Danielle Torain-Victor, Juliet A Eurich, Jeannie Merrick Maddux, and Alicia Wilson as directors.
France-Merrick Foundation Inc is led by Amy M. Gross, President since 2023 (on filings since 2021); 8 of 9 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Amy M. Gross
President
Executive Director → President, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$267K (2021) → $346K (2025)
Walter D. Pinkard Jr.
Chair
President → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$23K (2021) → $21K (2025)
Gregory C. Pinkard
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$12K (2021) → $16K (2025)
Jeannie Merrick Maddux
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$12K (2021) → $16K (2025)
Juliet A. Eurich
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$12K (2021) → $16K (2025)
Alicia Wilson
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$8K (2025)
Danielle Torain-Victor
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$16K (2025)
Peter Pinkard
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$12K (2021) → $0 (2025)
Robert G. Merrick III
Treasurer
Vice President → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$24K (2021) → $16K (2025)
Former officers (5)
- Former: Robert M. Pinkard (2021–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Danielle Torain (2024) — Director
- Former: Jean Merrick Maddux (2024) — Director
- Former: Rosanne Difonzo (2021–2023) — Assistant Secretary
- Former: Freeman A. Hrabowski (2021–2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $346K, to Amy Gross (President). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about France-Merrick Foundation Inc
How much does France-Merrick Foundation Inc give each year?
France-Merrick Foundation Inc gave $10.1M across 184 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $9.2M across 217 grants.
What is France-Merrick Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
France-Merrick Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $22,370, and its average grant was $54,652, across 184 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from France-Merrick Foundation Inc that year got $57K on average.
Where does France-Merrick Foundation Inc give grants?
France-Merrick Foundation Inc gives mostly in Maryland: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Baltimore, MD (112 grants), Wasgington, DC (10 grants), New York, NY (7 grants) and Owings Mills, MD (4 grants).
Does France-Merrick Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 184 grants with a stated purpose on France-Merrick Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are France-Merrick Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
France-Merrick Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include USM - University of Baltimore Foundation ($305,000), Turnaround Tuesday Inc ($300,000) and USM - University of Maryland Baltimore County ($300,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 9% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is France-Merrick Foundation Inc?
France-Merrick Foundation Inc reported $192.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $11.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $11.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does France-Merrick Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to invest in nonprofit organizations to enrich quality of life across Baltimore and beyond through grantmaking and collaborative efforts. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from France-Merrick Foundation Inc?
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests through a two-stage process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is France-Merrick Foundation Inc's EIN?
France-Merrick Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-6072964. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does France-Merrick Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 10, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 20, 2026)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 26, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS December 3, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). France-Merrick Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/france-merrick-foundation-inc-morg_edf96f0928124d3e84bec9754969b1d0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_526072964_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{France-Merrick Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/france-merrick-foundation-inc-morg_edf96f0928124d3e84bec9754969b1d0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from France-Merrick Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
France-Merrick Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?