Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker Scottsdale, AZ EIN: 82-1593211

Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Scottsdale, AZ. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $4.2M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 13 grants totaling $267K. Net investment income was $218K.

Key facts about Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation

EIN: 82-1593211
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $267,000
Grants made (2024): 13
Average grant: $20,538
Median grant: $20,000
New grantees (estimate): 23% first-time grantees (3 of 13, 2024)
Total assets: $4,221,262
Primary geography: Arizona (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

Who Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation's 13 itemized 2024 grants were Arizona (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Phoenix, AZ (7 grants) and Mesa, AZ (5 grants). 92% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.

Is Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation open to new grantees?

23%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 3 of 13 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $18K; repeat grants $21K. How we count

Medians: $25K first-time, $20K repeat.

69% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−4%). Method
In 2024 it paid out 101% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation

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Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$4.2M

-1.3% YoY

Annual Giving

$267K

+15.9% YoY

Grant Count

+18.2% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$21K

-1.9% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation reported a distributable amount of $268K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

About Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation

Based on IRS filings

Focus Areas

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

Arizona $267K (100%)

Share of all 13 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

Arizona

Cities

PhoenixMesaTempe

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$4,221,262	$4,275,584	$4,325,163
Revenue	$244,830	$209,408	$166,939
Expenses	$299,152	$258,987	$333,983
Qualifying Distributions	$269,597	$233,657	$303,425
Net Investment Income	$218,315	$184,578	$141,003
Distributable Amount	$267,556	$242,221	$257,297

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 10 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

50 grants across all recorded years

Open Grants

1 open opportunity from Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation

Foundation

Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation Grant

Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation

Amount

Varies

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation ($40,000), Brighter Way Institute ($30,000), Save the Family ($30,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
ARIZONA FRIENDS OF FOSTER CHILDREN FOUNDATION Phoenix, AZ	GENERAL FUND	$40,000
BRIGHTER WAY INSTITUTE Phoenix, AZ	GENERAL FUND	$30,000
SAVE THE FAMILY Mesa, AZ	GENERAL FUND	$30,000
DEVEREUX ADVANCED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Phoenix, AZ	GENERAL FUND	$25,000
PHOENIX CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL Phoenix, AZ	GENERAL FUND	$25,000
UMOM Phoenix, AZ	GENERAL FUND	$25,000
A NEW LEAF Mesa, AZ	GENERAL FUND	$20,000
FOSTER ARIZONA Mesa, AZ	GENERAL FUND	$20,000
ONE N TEN Phoenix, AZ	GENERAL FUND	$15,000
TEMPE DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS Tempe, AZ	JANIS CHAPMAN MERRILL SCHOLARSHIPS	$15,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.

From 2024 IRS filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
Janis S Merrill	President	0.52	—
Bryan N Sandler	Vice President	0.13	—
Laura K Sonius	Director	0.13	—
Heather Lautt	Director	0.13	—
Tara Blanc	Director	0.13	—
Judith a Hudek	Secretary/Treasurer	0.52	—

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation?

Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Scottsdale, AZ. It holds $4.2M in total assets as of 2024.

How large is Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation?

As of 2024, Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation holds $4.2M in total assets with $245K in annual revenue. It awarded 13 grants totaling $267K in 2024.

Where does Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation operate?

Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation has awarded grants in Arizona.

What size grants does Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation award?

In 2024, Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation awarded 13 grants totaling $267K — an average of about $21K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation reported a distributable amount of $268K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation's EIN?

Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-1593211. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.