Merancas Foundation Inc
The Merancas Foundation Inc. is a private foundation established in 1989 and granted charitable status in April 1990. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, the foundation financially supports nonprofit organizations that prepare children to become productive adults and help adults in need become self-sufficient.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$154.1M
+1.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$16.8M
+1.4% YoY
Grant Count
171
+1.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$98K
+0.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Merancas Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $13.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's stated purpose is financially supporting nonprofit organizations close to home that prepare children to become productive adults and help adults in need become self-sufficient.
Primary funding interests include:
- Education
- Housing and housing stability/homelessness prevention
- Wellbeing and human services
- Services for adults with disabilities
- Scholarships fostering economic independence
- Prepared food programs for seniors
- Youth mentorship
- Reproductive health
- Women's health services
Grantmaking
The foundation operates a two-tier application system:
Review Cycle
February 15th (spring cycle) or August 15th (fall cycle). Late submissions without prior communication to foundation staff will not be accepted. Organizations may request staff feedback if submitted at least three weeks prior to the deadline.
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation provides support in:
- North Carolina (primary focus)
- Georgia
- New Jersey
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total assets: $154,081,403
- Total revenues: $19,799,108
- Total expenses: $18,105,108
- Total giving: $16,828,165
- Number of employees: 0 (foundation staffed by board members and contractors)
Historical growth: Total assets grew from $27.4 million in 2011 to $154.1 million in 2024.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $154,081,403 | $152,384,008 | $155,053,300 |
| Revenue | $19,799,108 | $14,755,922 | $-6,520,569 |
| Expenses | $18,105,108 | $17,426,591 | $20,168,521 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $16,828,165 | $16,588,000 | $18,977,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $19,697,340 | $14,709,371 | $302,559 |
| Distributable Amount | $13,607,322 | $11,720,088 | $14,073,030 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Merancas Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Central Piedmont Community College ($2,000,000), American Red Cross ($500,000), Charmeck Family Justice Center Inc ($300,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 100 BLACK MEN OF GREATER CHARLOTTE CHARLOTTE, NC | MENTORSHIP AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT | $30,000 |
| ADA JENKINS CENTER DAVIDSON, NC | EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, FOOD, CAS | $100,000 |
| ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN OF NEW JERSE NEWARK, NJ | ENACT EFFECTIVE RESPONSES TO CHILDRE | $100,000 |
| ALEXANDER YOUTH NETWORK CHARLOTTE, NC | MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS AND SERVICES | $100,000 |
| ALLEGRO FOUNDATION CHARLOTTE, NC | MOVEMENT EDUCATION CLASSES FOR CHILD | $50,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS CHARLOTTE, NC | RESPONSE TO NATURAL AND PERSONAL DIS | $500,000 |
| ANCHOR HOUSE TRENTON, NJ | HOMELESS SHELTER FOR YOUTH IN CRISIS | $40,000 |
| ARM IN ARM HAMILTON, NJ | FOOD PANTRY SERVICES, HOUSING SERVIC | $100,000 |
| ATLANTA COMMUNITY FOOD BANK ATLANTA, GA | FOOD BANK PROVIDING FOOD TO COMMUNIT | $150,000 |
| ATLANTA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY ATLANTA, GA | CRITICAL HOME REPAIR TO PREVENT HOME | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Anthony A. Mermans - President and Chairman (40 hours/week, $288,542-$289,000 compensation)
- Jennifer E. Mermans - Vice Chair
- Bryan K. Mermans - Secretary
- Cornelis A.M. Mermans - Treasurer
- Johanna K. Mermans - Assistant Secretary
- Deepa Naik - Philanthropy staff member ($169,000 compensation)
- Julia S. Barnes - Employee ($64,000 compensation)
- Robin B. Mermans - Director
- Robin M. Mermans - Director
- Nicole Vezenegho - Director
- Samuel Vezenegho - Director
Major donors: Cornelis A.M. Mermans and Johanna J. Mermans
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CORNELIS A M MERMANS | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| JOHANNA K MERMANS | ASST SECRETA | 1 | — |
| ANTHONY A MERMANS | PRESIDENT & | 40 | $288,542 |
| JENNIFER E MERMANS | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| BRYAN K MERMANS | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| ROBIN B MERMANS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NICOLE VEZENEGHO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ROBIN M MERMANS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SAMUEL VEZENEGHO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
York Technical College received a $50,000 grant to establish a student hardship fund
Merancas Foundation Awards York Technical College $50,000 to Establish StudentGeorgia Piedmont Technical College Foundation received $50,000 in scholarships
Merancas Foundation Awards York Technical College $50,000 to Establish StudentCrisis Ministry of Mercer received a $50,000 grant
Merancas Foundation awards $50,000 grant to Crisis Ministry of MercerBest Buddies International listed as a grantee
[PDF] 2024 | Best Buddies International - BB Annual ReportContact Information
- Website: www.merancas.org
- Address: 615 S College St, Floor 9, Charlotte, NC 28202-3355
- Phone: 980-237-1386
- Email: info@merancas.org
- EIN: 56-1677733
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Merancas Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's stated purpose is financially supporting nonprofit organizations close to home that prepare children to become productive adults and help adults in need become self-sufficient. Primary funding interests include: • Education • Housing and housing stability/homelessness prevention • Wellbeing and human services • Services for adults with disabilities • Scholarships fostering economic independence • Prepared food programs for seniors • Youth mentorship • Reproductive health • Wome…
How do I apply for a grant from Merancas Foundation Inc?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $5,000 to $2,000,000 • Median grant amount: $65,000 • Recent grant activity: 171 grants made in the most recent reporting period, with 131 grants made in 2024 **Application Process:** The foundation operates a two-tier application system: 1. **Are We A Match (AWM) Request** - A preliminary application for potential and not-yet-approved nonprofit organizations. This is the required first step for new organizations seeking partnership. Currently, …
Where does Merancas Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation provides support in: • North Carolina (primary focus) • Georgia • New Jersey
What size grants does Merancas Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Merancas Foundation Inc awarded 171 grants totaling $16.8M — an average of about $98K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Merancas Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Merancas Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $13.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Merancas Foundation Inc's EIN?
Merancas Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-1677733. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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