Helen S and Merrill L Bank Foundation

PALM BEACH, FL EIN: 23-7031791

The Helen S and Merrill L Bank Foundation is a private foundation based in Palm Beach, Florida. Established in 1969, it operates as a 501(c)(3) exempt private foundation with no employees.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$4.5M

-3.7% YoY

Annual Giving

$577K

+234.1% YoY

Grant Count

+61.5% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$14K

+106.8% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Helen S and Merrill L Bank Foundation reported a distributable amount of $482K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation primarily funds education, philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking, and human services. It also supports arts, creative writing, historic buildings, and journalism initiatives.

Grantmaking

The foundation made 29 grants in the most recent fiscal year (ending June 2025) for a total of $577,090 in charitable distributions.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation primarily funds organizations in Maryland, Florida, and Colorado.

Grant Distribution by State

Maryland $636K (38%)

Colorado $440K (26%)

Florida $347K (21%)

New York $99K (6%)

Massachusetts $53K (3%)

New Hampshire $40K (2%)

Pennsylvania $30K (2%)

California $12K (1%)

+3 more states

States

California Colorado District of Columbia Florida Massachusetts Maryland New Hampshire New York Pennsylvania Rhode Island Virginia

Cities

AlexandriaArlingtonAuroraBaltimoreBethlehemBostonBoynton BeachChautauquaDavisDelray BeachDenverDurhamLewisburgLititzLittletonMerrifieldMiamiOwings MillsPalm BeachProvidence

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of June 2025:

Total Assets: $4,460,722
Total Giving: $577,090
Total Revenues: $501,780
Total Expenses: $668,442

Revenue Sources (FY 2025):

Investment income and dividends: $166,749
Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $335,031

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2025	2024	2023
Total Assets	$4,460,722	$4,632,090	$4,404,920
Revenue	$501,780	$486,382	$205,568
Expenses	$668,442	$251,225	$351,199
Qualifying Distributions	$668,442	$251,225	$344,738
Net Investment Income	$501,780	$486,382	$199,107
Distributable Amount	$482,333	$418,851	$377,463

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

140 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Vail Health Foundation ($130,000), Steadman Philippon Research Institu ($55,000), Palm Beach Dramaworks ($47,290).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
RAYMOND KRAVIS CENT FOR PERFORMING WEST PALM BEACH, FL	SUPPORT	$30,000
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF PALM BEAC WELLINGTON, FL	SUPPORT	$5,000
LINDEN HALL SCHOOL LITITZ, PA	SUPPORT	$10,000
THE MARYLAND ZOO IN BALTIMORE BALTIMORE, MD	SUPPORT	$8,000
NATIONAL AQUARIUM IN BALTIMORE BALTIMORE, MD	SUPPORT	$50
NEW ENGLAND BAPTIST HOSPITAL BOSTON, MA	SUPPORT	$20,000
NORTON MUSEUM OF ART WEST PALM BEACH, FL	SUPPORT	$1,500
OCEAN CONSERVANCY WASHINGTON, DC	SUPPORT	$2,000
PALM BEACH DRAMAWORKS WEST PALM BEACH, FL	SUPPORT	$47,290
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF MARYLAND INC BALTIMORE, MD	SUPPORT	$3,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

From 2025 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
Penny Bank	Trustee	0.5	$12,000
Herbert M Bank	Trustee	0.5	—

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Helen S and Merrill L Bank Foundation fund?

The foundation primarily funds education, philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking, and human services. It also supports arts, creative writing, historic buildings, and journalism initiatives.

How do I apply for a grant from Helen S and Merrill L Bank Foundation?

**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $50,000 to $130,000. **Recent Grants (2025):** • Vail Health Foundation: $130,000 • Palm Beach Dramaworks: $47,290 • Kravis Center: $30,000 • Additional 26 grants totaling $444,040 The foundation made 29 grants in the most recent fiscal year (ending June 2025) for a total of $577,090 in charitable distributions.

Where does Helen S and Merrill L Bank Foundation make grants?

The foundation primarily funds organizations in Maryland, Florida, and Colorado.

What size grants does Helen S and Merrill L Bank Foundation award?

In 2025, Helen S and Merrill L Bank Foundation awarded 42 grants totaling $577K — an average of about $14K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Helen S and Merrill L Bank Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Helen S and Merrill L Bank Foundation reported a distributable amount of $482K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is Helen S and Merrill L Bank Foundation's EIN?

Helen S and Merrill L Bank Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7031791. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.