Harry a Merlo Foundation Inc
The Harry A Merlo Foundation Inc is a private foundation established in 1988 and based in Hillsboro, Oregon. The foundation partners with nonprofit organizations across multiple sectors to bring lasting and positive change to communities, with a particular emphasis on the Portland metropolitan area and the Pacific Northwest region.
Key facts about Harry a Merlo Foundation Inc
- EIN
- 94-3086742
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,074,300
- Grants made (2024)
- 44
- Average grant
- $24,416
- Median grant
- $17,500
- New grantees (estimate)
- 68% first-time grantees (30 of 44, 2024)
- Total assets
- $36,076,657
- Primary geography
- Oregon (68% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation accepts applications. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Harry a Merlo Foundation Inc funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Harry a Merlo Foundation Inc's 44 itemized 2024 grants were Oregon (68%) and California (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, OR (18 grants). 14% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Is Harry a Merlo Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
68%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 30 of 44 grantees (68%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $21K; repeat grants $32K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $23K repeat.
- Giving grew 30% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 90% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Harry a Merlo Foundation Inc
- How to evaluate Harry a Merlo Foundation Inc as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$36.1M
Annual Giving
$1.1M
Grant Count
44
Avg Grant Size
$24K
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Harry a Merlo Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to address social challenges and improve quality of life for present and future generations by funding innovative solutions through charitable grants.
The foundation supports organizations working in the following areas:
- Animal Welfare
- Arts
- Conservation
- Education
- Scientific and Medical Research/Care
- Health and Human Services
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$1,000–$100,000
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Harry a Merlo Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds nonprofit organizations in Oregon, with emphasis on the Portland metropolitan area. The foundation also supports organizations in California and Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 44 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $36,076,657
- Total Giving: $1,074,300
- Annual Revenue: $998,000
- Annual Expenses: $1,720,000
- Giving Rate: 2.8% of assets
As of 2022:
- Total Assets: $34,872,844
- Total Revenues: $1,371,995
- Total Expenses: $1,821,924
| Metric | 2024 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $36,076,657 | $34,872,844 | $35,048,089 |
| Revenue | $997,892 | $1,371,995 | $1,653,571 |
| Expenses | $1,715,675 | $1,821,924 | $1,460,186 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,538,782 | $1,656,268 | $1,295,896 |
| Net Investment Income | $815,999 | $1,206,179 | $1,438,456 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,702,990 | $1,494,612 | $1,575,360 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
136 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Harry a Merlo Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Eastern Oregon University Foundation ($100,000), Hope for the Homeless Foundation ($100,000), Alexander Valley Healthcare ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| EASTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION Lagrande, OR | COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AGRICULTURE ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM SUPPORT FUND | $100,000 |
| HOPE FOR THE HOMELESS FOUNDATION Portland, OR | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT TO SOLVE THE HOMELESS PROBLEM | $100,000 |
| ALEXANDER VALLEY HEALTHCARE Cloverdale, CA | CONSTRUCTION OF MEDICAL FACILITY IN CLOVERDALE, CA | $50,000 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES Portland, OR | CARITAS COMMUNITY HOUSING - THE ANNEX PROJECT | $50,000 |
| CATHOLIC YOUTH ORGANIZATION Portland, OR | CONSTRUCTION OF YOUTH CENTER AT CAMP HOWARD, CORBETT, OR | $50,000 |
| IMBLER EDUCATION FOUNDATION Imbler, OR | CAPITAL PROJECT TO IMPROVE TRACK FOR FIELD EVENTS | $50,000 |
| LIGHTHOUSE FINANCIAL FOUNDATION Vancouver, WA | THREE YEAR PLEDGE (2024-2026) SAVINGS EDUCATION PROGRAM | $50,000 |
| PAWS FOR PURPLE HEARTS Penngrove, CA | PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR CANINE TRAINING TO ASSIST VETERANS | $50,000 |
| RANGER'S SCHOLARSHIP FUND Fort Benning, GA | PROGRAM TO AWARD SCHOLARSHIPS TO RANGER FAMILY MEMBERS | $50,000 |
| UNIVERITY OF PORTLAND SCHOOL OF NURSING Portland, OR | RURAL NURSING PROGRAM | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florence Newton | Director/Trustee | 3 | — |
| Harry a Merlo Jr | Director/Trustee | 1 | $6,000 |
| John L Blackwell | Director/Trustee | 1 | $6,000 |
Contact Information
Address: 2250 NE 25th Ave, Hillsboro, OR 97124-5960
Phone: 503-648-6403
Website: MERLOFOUNDATION.ORG
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Harry a Merlo Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission is to address social challenges and improve quality of life for present and future generations by funding innovative solutions through charitable grants. The foundation supports organizations working in the following areas: • Animal Welfare • Arts • Conservation • Education • Scientific and Medical Research/Care • Health and Human Services
How do I apply for a grant from Harry a Merlo Foundation Inc?
The foundation accepts applications. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does Harry a Merlo Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds nonprofit organizations in Oregon, with emphasis on the Portland metropolitan area. The foundation also supports organizations in California and Washington.
What size grants does Harry a Merlo Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Harry a Merlo Foundation Inc awarded 44 grants totaling $1.1M — an average of about $24K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Harry a Merlo Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Harry a Merlo Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Harry a Merlo Foundation Inc's EIN?
Harry a Merlo Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-3086742. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.