The George W. Mergens Foundation is a private family foundation located in Milton, Vermont (with a mailing address in Colchester). Established in 1994 by Ann Mergens and their two children as a tribute to George W. Mergens, the foundation supports a broad variety of nonprofit organizations that serve the youth of Vermont. The foundation has awarded over $12 million in support since its founding.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$16.3M
-5.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.0M
+42.6% YoY
Grant Count
95
+41.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$11K
+0.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, George W Mergens Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.2M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's purpose is to support educational and experiential opportunities for youth, fostering a sense of well-being, curiosity, and empowerment in young people so they are equipped to meet future challenges. The foundation is dedicated to enriching the lives of youth through programs that promote knowledge, creativity, leadership, and good health.
Primary funding areas include:
- Education and STEM education
- Youth programs and youth services
- Arts education and theater
- Out-of-school learning and camps
- Community recreation
- Employment and adult literacy
- Health and wellness
- Food security
- Equal opportunity in education
- Operating support for youth-serving organizations
Grantmaking
The foundation is currently accepting grant proposals. Organizations applying for the first time should complete an Eligibility Quiz to determine if they meet criteria. The board meets monthly to review requests, with awards or denials typically issued within 6–8 weeks of submission.
Grant Range
$2,000–$50,000
Average Grant
$12,200
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with George W Mergens Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Vermont, with some grants extending to Maine and Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent (2024):
- Total assets: $17,167,415
- Total giving: $1,006,950
- Total revenue: $501,903
- Total expenses: $1,123,403
- Giving rate: 5.8%
- Number of employees: 3
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $16,311,906 | $17,167,415 | $17,785,925 |
| Revenue | $590,805 | $501,903 | $429,223 |
| Expenses | $1,446,691 | $1,123,403 | $1,173,295 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,322,535 | $1,006,950 | $1,052,513 |
| Net Investment Income | $473,296 | $387,387 | $314,607 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,234,609 | $1,119,615 | $1,020,213 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from George W Mergens Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Bsa Green Mountain Council ($35,000), Boys & Girls Club of Burlington ($20,000), Greater Burlington Ymca ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ASPIRE NOW WILLISTON, VT | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $8,500 |
| ASSOCIATION OF AFRICANS LIVING IN VERMONT BURLINGTON, VT | AFTER-SCHOOL TUTORING & ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS | $5,000 |
| AUDUBON VERMONT HUNTINGTON, VT | ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION YOUTH PROGRAMS | $15,000 |
| AZIMUTH COUNSELING & THERAPEUTIC SERVICES ESSEX JUNCTION, VT | YOUTH COUNSELING SERVICES | $11,800 |
| BARNARTS CENTER FOR THE ARTS BARNARD, VT | 2025 SUMMER YOUTH PRODUCTION | $5,000 |
| BARRE OPERA HOUSE BARRE, VT | VACATION WEEK AND SUMMER CAMP | $4,000 |
| BENNINGTON MUSEUM BENNINGTON, VT | SCHOOL PROGRAMS FY25 | $10,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS VERMONT BRATTLEBORO, VT | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF BRATTLEBORO BRATTLEBORO, VT | FAMILY OUTREACH PROGRAM | $10,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF BURLINGTON BURLINGTON, VT | EARLY PROMISE PROGRAM | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Paul G. Mergens – Chairman and President (40 hrs/week, $150,000 compensation)
- William H. Wiltshire – VP; Director of Operations (32 hrs/week, $150,000 compensation)
- Rachel Mergens – VP; Director of Finance (32 hrs/week, $75,000 compensation)
- Mary E. Mergens-Loughran – Vice President (5 hrs/week)
- Lenora A Mergens – Director (5 hrs/week)
- Bill Wiltshire – Director of Operations
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAUL G MERGENS | PRESIDENT & TREASURER | 40 | $150,000 |
| MARY E MERGENS-LOUGHRAN | VICE PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| LENORA A MERGENS | DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| WILLIAM H WILTSHIRE | VP; DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS | 32 | $150,000 |
| RACHEL MERGENS | VP; DIRECTOR OF FINANCE | 32 | $75,000 |
Contact Information
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 633 Milton, VT 05468
Phone: (802) 655-6770
Email: info@mergensfoundation.org
Key Contacts:
- Paul Mergens (Chairman): paul@mergensfoundation.org
- Bill Wiltshire (Director of Operations): bill@mergensfoundation.org
- Rachel Mergens (Finance Director/Grant Administrator): rachel@mergensfoundation.org
Website: mergensfoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does George W Mergens Foundation fund?
The foundation's purpose is to support educational and experiential opportunities for youth, fostering a sense of well-being, curiosity, and empowerment in young people so they are equipped to meet future challenges. The foundation is dedicated to enriching the lives of youth through programs that promote knowledge, creativity, leadership, and good health. Primary funding areas include: • Education and STEM education • Youth programs and youth services • Arts education and theater • Out-of-scho…
How do I apply for a grant from George W Mergens Foundation?
**Grant Amounts & Frequency:** • Typical grant range: $2,000–$50,000 • Median grant size: $10,000 • Average grant size: $12,200 • The foundation made 69 grants in 2024, with 163 total grants awarded historically **Application Process:** The foundation is currently accepting grant proposals. Organizations applying for the first time should complete an Eligibility Quiz to determine if they meet criteria. The board meets monthly to review requests, with awards or denials typically issued within 6–…
Where does George W Mergens Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Vermont, with some grants extending to Maine and Illinois.
What size grants does George W Mergens Foundation award?
In 2025, George W Mergens Foundation awarded 95 grants totaling $1.0M — an average of about $11K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is George W Mergens Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, George W Mergens Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is George W Mergens Foundation's EIN?
George W Mergens Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 03-0345055. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in George W Mergens Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Rutland Economic Development Corp
RUTLAND, VT
Assets
$3.8M
Grants
1
Total Given
$72K
Qlla Charities Inc
QUECHEE, VT
Assets
$13K
Grants
1
Total Given
$140K
Vermont State Employees Credit Union
MONTPELIER, VT
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
10
Total Given
$636K
Kratt Brothers Creature Hero Society
STOWE, VT
Assets
$1.4M
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Louise Judith and Edgar May Foundation
SHELBURNE, VT
Assets
$2.1M
Grants
31
Total Given
$86K
Lake Champlain Regional Chamber
BURLINGTON, VT
Assets
$4.5M
Grants
1
Total Given
$33K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with George W Mergens 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
Go from researching George W Mergens Foundation to a real strategy.