Merchantz Family Foundation
Merchantz Family Foundation is a private foundation, based in Hinsdale, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $14.0M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 8 grants totaling $1.4M. Net investment income was $6.2M.
Merchantz Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Merchantz Family Foundation gave $1.4M across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $175K), top state Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,400,000
- +64.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 8
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $175,000
- +64.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $13,965,620
- +66.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (39% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Merchantz Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Capitol Ministries ($400K). Together the top 8 received $1.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
25 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 12 grants of 25 (48%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How Merchantz Family Foundation gives
- In 2025 it paid out 160% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $5K (2020) to $1.4M (2025). In 2025 it made 8 grants totaling $1.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Capitol Ministries Newhall, CA | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $400,000 |
| Christian Life Ministries Chicago, IL | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $400,000 |
| Museum of the Bible Oklahoma City, OK | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $250,000 |
| Illinois Family Institute Tinley Park, IL | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $100,000 |
| Judicial Watch Washington DC, DC | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $100,000 |
| Aclj - Christian Advocates Serving Evangelism Atlanta, GA | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $50,000 |
| City of Refuge Chicago, IL | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $50,000 |
| Samaritan's Purse Boone, NC | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $50,000 |
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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 | $13,965,620 | $7,185,961 | $1,611,566 | $1,400,000 | 8 | $1,409,409 | $6,150,634 | $880,444 |
| 2024 | $8,389,822 | $2,309,681 | $943,440 | $850,000 | 8 | $859,712 | $1,941,703 | $576,438 |
| 2023 | $7,023,260 | $522,636 | $812,537 | $740,000 | 9 | $746,089 | $186,819 | $481,705 |
| 2022 | $7,328,806 | $217,188 | $76,796 | — | — | $10,606 | $157,823 | $463,301 |
| 2021 | $8,624,337 | $876,041 | $73,226 | — | — | $10,620 | $262,085 | $479,504 |
| 2020 | $7,821,522 | $201,739 | $67,380 | $5,000 | 1 | — | $154,083 | $380,536 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Merchantz Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $880K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Merchantz Family Foundation is led by William Merchantz, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
William Merchantz
President
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cathy Merchantz
Secretary
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 Merchantz Family Foundation
How much does Merchantz Family Foundation give each year?
Merchantz Family Foundation gave $1.4M across 8 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $850K across 8 grants.
What is Merchantz Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Merchantz Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $100,000, and its average grant was $175,000, across 8 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Merchantz Family Foundation give grants?
Merchantz Family Foundation's top state is Illinois, with 39% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (29%) and Oklahoma (18%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (2 grants).
Who are Merchantz Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Merchantz Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Capitol Ministries ($400,000), Christian Life Ministries ($400,000) and Museum of the Bible ($250,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 75% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Merchantz Family Foundation?
Merchantz Family Foundation reported $14.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $880K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Merchantz Family Foundation's EIN?
Merchantz Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3739087. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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 October 6, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 6, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 1, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 8, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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