Merchant Family Foundation
Merchant Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Portland, Oregon. It reported $100,000 in grants to 11 organizations in its 2025 filing, with recipients including organizations working in education, cancer services, and other areas.
Merchant Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Merchant Family Foundation gave $100K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $9K), mostly in Oregon. 36% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $100,000
- +23.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- -47.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $9,091
- +135.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $405,518
- +2.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (4 of 11, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Oregon (89% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Merchant Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation stated on its 2024 filing that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 7285 Sw Ascot Court, Portland, OR 97225
Phone: (503) 297-4317
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Merchant Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Meals on Wheels ($25K). Together the top 10 received $99K.
Grant Size Distribution
74 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 74 grants of 74 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 89% of grant dollars went to recipients in Oregon, 7% to recipients in Washington, and 4% to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Merchant Family Foundation open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 11 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. With only 11 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 9 points. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $11K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $6K repeat.
- 64% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 117% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 120% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $46K (2020) to $100K (2025). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $100K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Meals on Wheels Portland, OR | General Support | $25,000 |
| Young Life Portland West Portland, OR | General Support | $25,000 |
| PCC Foundation Women in Trade Portland, OR | General Support | $12,500 |
| Portland Community College Foundation Portland, OR | Student Scholarships | $12,500 |
| Community Cancer Fund Spokane, WA | General Support | $6,000 |
| Hatchery & Wild Coexist Tillamook, OR | General Support | $5,000 |
| Tillamook Estaries Partnership Girabaldi, OR | General Support | $5,000 |
| Financial Beginnings Portland, OR | General Support | $4,000 |
| Helping One Woman Fresno, CA | General Support | $2,000 |
| Penninsula Family Services San Mateo, CA | General Support | $2,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Merchant Family 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $405,518 | $117,420 | $106,199 | $100,000 | 11 | $104,051 | $116,420 | $87,021 |
| 2024 | $394,297 | $156,692 | $86,568 | $81,000 | 21 | $86,485 | $154,228 | $74,089 |
| 2023 | $324,173 | $-5,927 | $62,781 | $61,000 | 13 | $62,702 | $5,900 | $65,512 |
| 2022 | $392,881 | $12,080 | $48,358 | $46,000 | 13 | $47,786 | $5,580 | $69,909 |
| 2021 | $429,159 | $126,711 | $58,922 | $57,500 | 16 | $58,922 | $20,605 | $59,206 |
| 2020 | $361,370 | $5,305 | $48,256 | $46,000 | 10 | — | $5,305 | $44,129 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Merchant Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $87K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included general support and student scholarships. The grant recipients’ own descriptions illustrate some of the work represented: Portland Community College Foundation says it invests in students, especially those who experience systemic barriers, and supports their educational goals. Community Cancer Fund says it works with regional cancer organizations to fund gaps in services for cancer patients and families in the Inland Northwest. Financial Beginnings says it empowers youth and adults to take control of their financial future.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 11 grants totaling $100,000. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $25,000, with a median of $5,000. The largest grants were $25,000 each to Meals on Wheels and Young Life Portland West, both for general support. Other notable grants included $12,500 to Portland Community College Foundation for student scholarships, $12,500 to PCC Foundation Women in Trade for general support, and $6,000 to Community Cancer Fund for general support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s 2025 filing lists Tom Merchant as president. Directors listed are Laura Coon, Payton Coon, Taylor Coon, Ava Hoefer, Finn Hoefer, Lisa Lambert, and Michael Merchant.
Merchant Family Foundation is led by Tom Merchant, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 8 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Tom Merchant
President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laura Coon
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Payton Coon
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Taylor Coon
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ava Hoefer
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Finn Hoefer
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Merchant
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Lambert
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Lisa Hoefer (2020–2024) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Merchant Family Foundation
How much does Merchant Family Foundation give each year?
Merchant Family Foundation gave $100K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $81K across 21 grants.
What is Merchant Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Merchant Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $9,091, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Merchant Family Foundation that year got $5K on average.
Where does Merchant Family Foundation give grants?
Merchant Family Foundation gives mostly in Oregon: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Washington (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, OR (5 grants).
Does Merchant Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 82% of Merchant Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 11) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Merchant Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Merchant Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Meals on Wheels ($25,000), Young Life Portland West ($25,000) and PCC Foundation Women in Trade ($12,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Merchant Family Foundation?
Merchant Family Foundation reported $406K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $104K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $87K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Merchant Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included general support and student scholarships. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Merchant Family Foundation?
The foundation stated on its 2024 filing that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Merchant Family Foundation's EIN?
Merchant Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-2496984. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Merchant Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 29, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 19, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 27, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work Merchant Family Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Merchant Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Merchant Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/merchant-family-foundation-morg_ebbe926c2c8848ea8ab53f9e227db732
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_452496984_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Merchant Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/merchant-family-foundation-morg_ebbe926c2c8848ea8ab53f9e227db732},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Merchant Family 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.
Merchant Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?