Jeff and Alissa Merage Foundation
Jeff and Alissa Merage Foundation is a private foundation, based in Steamboat Springs, CO. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.6M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $100K. Net investment income was $93K.
Jeff and Alissa Merage Foundation at a glance
In short: Jeff and Alissa Merage Foundation gave $100K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $100K), mostly in Colorado. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $100,000
- +100.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- -50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $100,000
- +300.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $1,613,596
- -1.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Colorado (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Jeff and Alissa Merage Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Yampa Valley Community Foundation ($100K).
Grant Size Distribution
9 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 5 grants of 9 (56%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Jeff and Alissa Merage Foundation gives
- Giving fell 20% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 64% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $50K (2023) to $170K (2020). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $100K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Yampa Valley Community Foundation Steamboat Springs, CO | General Operations | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Jeff and Alissa Merage Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,613,596 | $111,456 | $122,946 | $100,000 | 1 | $104,984 | $93,494 | $163,015 |
| 2023 | $1,635,285 | $72,137 | $70,128 | $50,000 | 2 | $54,200 | $61,209 | $140,047 |
| 2022 | $1,638,322 | $265,459 | $182,926 | $159,000 | 1 | $163,375 | $248,398 | $142,155 |
| 2021 | $1,554,395 | $161,603 | $150,430 | $125,500 | 2 | — | $142,971 | $155,817 |
| 2020 | $1,543,222 | $169,832 | $191,097 | $170,000 | 3 | — | $154,790 | $124,331 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Jeff and Alissa Merage Foundation reported a distributable amount of $163K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Jeff and Alissa Merage Foundation is led by Jeff Merage, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jeff Merage
President
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alissa Merage
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Jeff and Alissa Merage Foundation
How much does Jeff and Alissa Merage Foundation give each year?
Jeff and Alissa Merage Foundation gave $100K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $50K across 2 grants.
How large is Jeff and Alissa Merage Foundation?
Jeff and Alissa Merage Foundation reported $1.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $105K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $163K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
Where does Jeff and Alissa Merage Foundation operate?
Jeff and Alissa Merage Foundation has awarded grants in Colorado, Florida, Rhode Island.
What is Jeff and Alissa Merage Foundation's EIN?
Jeff and Alissa Merage Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-0644644. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Jeff and Alissa Merage Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Jeff and Alissa Merage Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Colorado
Russell E Browning Family Foundation Inc
Saint Louis, MO
The Russell E Browning Family Foundation funds charitable organizations, with recent grants supporting arts and culture, parks, community development, education, and caregiver support. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $25,000, with a median of $2,500; 84% of funding went to Missouri organizations, with smaller shares going to four other states. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.8M
Grants
28
Total Given
$130K
United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes Inc
Rochester, NY
United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes funds health and human services, with a focus on youth opportunity, financial security, health, and community resilience. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,001 to $871,769, with a median of $14,866; funding serves Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Wayne, and Wyoming counties in New York. The profile describes specific grant opportunities and application periods but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$183.2M
Grants
329
Total Given
$18.1M
Gates Family Foundation
Denver, CO
Gates Family Foundation funds public education, natural resources, community development, and informed communities, with a focus on Colorado; capital grants support projects such as construction, renovation, and land acquisition. In 2025, grants ranged from $2,000 to $20 million, with a median of $25,000. It does not accept unsolicited proposals for strategic grants, but qualified Colorado nonprofits can apply for capital grants.
Assets
$423.7M
Grants
374
Total Given
$36.3M
Growing More Opportunities Foundation
St. Louis, MO
Growing More Opportunities Foundation supports charitable organizations in areas including pediatric heart care, education, health care, and humanitarian aid, with most 2024 funding going to Missouri and additional grants across several states. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $13,000, with a median of $5,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$1.6M
Grants
15
Total Given
$93K
The Community Foundation of Louisville Depository Inc
Louisville, KY
The Community Foundation of Louisville supports a broad range of causes, including arts, parks, education, social services, and libraries, with most 2025 grant dollars going to Kentucky organizations. Its 2025 grants had a median of $15,200 and ranged from $5,100 to over $2.3 million; the available information does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$24.0M
Grants
421
Total Given
$20.5M
The Simmons Foundation
Houston, TX
The Simmons Foundation supports organizations strengthening women, youth, and families, with grants spanning health, youth programs, literacy, food assistance, and environmental stewardship. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,100 to $250,000, with a median of $25,000, and 74% of grant dollars went to Colorado and 26% to Texas. It funds only preselected charities and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$5.0M
Grants
41
Total Given
$1.7M
More similar funders
More Funders in Colorado
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Jeff and Alissa Merage Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Jeff and Alissa Merage Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?