Isonoma Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker Philadelphia, PA EIN: 82-2022925

Isonoma Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Philadelphia, PA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $123K. Net investment income was $29K.

Key facts about Isonoma Foundation

EIN: 82-2022925
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $123,208
Grants made (2024): 5
Average grant: $24,642
Median grant: $25,000
Primary geography: Pennsylvania (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Who Isonoma Foundation funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Isonoma Foundation's 5 itemized 2024 grants were Pennsylvania (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Philadelphia, PA (5 grants). None of its 5 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Organizations Exempt Purpose" (5 grants).

How Isonoma Foundation gives

Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+7%). Method
In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

Next steps with Isonoma Foundation

How to evaluate Isonoma Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
Draft an LOI to Isonoma Foundation with AI
AI grant writing that drafts from your organization’s own materials, in your voice.
Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
A free Google Sheets or Excel template for deadlines, award terms, and reports due.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

—

-100.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$123K

+64.3% YoY

Grant Count

+66.7% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$25K

-1.4% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Isonoma Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

About Isonoma Foundation

Based on IRS filings

Focus Areas

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Isonoma Foundation?

Assess fit for your org Draft an LOI Find open RFPs

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

Pennsylvania $123K (100%)

Share of all 5 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

Louisiana New York Pennsylvania

Cities

PhiladelphiaBryn MawrNew YorkNew Orleans

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	—	$99,053	$154,302
Revenue	$31,798	$25,818	$7,964
Expenses	$130,851	$81,067	$133,847
Qualifying Distributions	$127,845	$78,411	$128,546
Net Investment Income	$29,475	$23,201	$2,775
Distributable Amount	$3,456	$7,561	$12,906

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

March 3, 2026 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 5 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

31 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include South Philly Food Co-Op ($31,471), The Young Artist Program ($29,737), Urbed ($25,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
SOUTH PHILLY FOOD CO-OP Philadelphia, PA	ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE	$31,471
THE YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAM Philadelphia, PA	ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE	$29,737
URBED Philadelphia, PA	ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE	$25,000
AFRICAN FAMILY HEALTH ORGANIZATION Philadelphia, PA	ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE	$25,000
URBAN AFFAIRS COALITION Philadelphia, PA	ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE	$12,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2022 IRS filing

From 2024 IRS filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
Samantha Merkt	President	3	—
Doreen Merkt	Vice Pres.	1	—
Steven Merkt	Treasurer	1	—
Harrison Merkt	Secretary	0.5	—

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Isonoma Foundation?

Isonoma Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Philadelphia, PA. It holds — in total assets as of 2024.

Where does Isonoma Foundation operate?

Isonoma Foundation has awarded grants in Louisiana, New York, Pennsylvania.

What size grants does Isonoma Foundation award?

In 2024, Isonoma Foundation awarded 5 grants totaling $123K — an average of about $25K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Isonoma Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Isonoma Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.