Meritage Cares Foundation
Meritage Cares Foundation is a corporate foundation based in Scottsdale, Arizona, established in 2014. It operates as a qualified 501(c)(3) and 170(c)(2) charitable foundation affiliated with Meritage Homes Corporation, the fifth-largest public homebuilder in the United States. The foundation is structured as a grantmaking organization dedicated to philanthropic work in communities where Meritage operates.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.1M
-12.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.2M
-19.3% YoY
Grant Count
62
+8.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$19K
-25.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Meritage Cares Foundation reported a distributable amount of $125K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to enrich lives in the metropolitan areas where Meritage does business by providing assistance to eligible charitable organizations for the support and well-being of children, families, military veterans, and other charitable causes approved by the Foundation's selection committee.
Primary funding areas include:
- Food Security: Supporting initiatives to combat food insecurity and hunger among children
- Veterans Support: Providing assistance to military veterans and their families, including housing support
- Environmental Conservation: Tree planting and reforestation efforts to increase urban canopy
- Education & Career Development: Funding K-12 education opportunities and career development initiatives
- Affordable Housing: Supporting initiatives to improve affordable housing supply
Grantmaking
Grant Types
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds charitable organizations in the metropolitan areas where Meritage Homes operates. Specific mentions include communities in Arizona, Florida, and Georgia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $2,095,638
- Total Revenues: $913,395
- Total Expenses: $1,210,155
- Total Liabilities: $0
Historical Giving:
- Since its founding in 2014, the foundation has donated more than $4 million to national and local charities
- 2024 Foundation Giving: $1.5 million (through Meritage Cares)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,095,638 | $2,392,398 | $388,789 |
| Revenue | $913,395 | $3,502,012 | $1,030,866 |
| Expenses | $1,210,155 | $1,498,403 | $893,640 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,208,228 | $1,495,750 | $890,890 |
| Net Investment Income | $109,337 | — | $63,925 |
| Distributable Amount | $125,159 | $17,916 | $14,110 |
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
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include National Arbor Day Foundation ($300,000), Building Talent Foundation ($160,000), No Child Hungry ($157,900).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION TEMPE, AZ | GENERAL & UNRESTRICTED | $25,000 |
| BASCA INC ORANGE PARK, FL | GENERAL & UNRESTRICTED | $7,500 |
| BOUNTIFUL COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY BOUNTIFUL, UT | GENERAL & UNRESTRICTED | $2,500 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER SCOTTSDALE SCOTTSDALE, AZ | GENERAL & UNRESTRICTED | $25,000 |
| BOYS TOWN CENTRAL FLORIDA INC OVIEDO, FL | GENERAL & UNRESTRICTED | $2,500 |
| BOYSVILLE INC CONVERSE, TX | GENERAL & UNRESTRICTED | $2,500 |
| BUILDING CAREERS FOUNDATION ROSEVILLE, CA | GENERAL & UNRESTRICTED | $2,500 |
| BUILDING TALENT FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL & UNRESTRICTED | $160,000 |
| CHILDREN'S NETWORK OF HILLSBOROUGH LLC TAMPA, FL | GENERAL & UNRESTRICTED | $1,250 |
| COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES OF ORANGE COUNTY ORANGE, CA | GENERAL & UNRESTRICTED | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHILLIPPE LORD | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| HILLA SFERRUZZA | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| RICHARD REES | VP - TAXATION | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2024, Meritage Homes contributed $3.3 million total in donations and sponsorships across its geographic footprint, with $1.5 million distributed mainly through Meritage Cares Foundation. The company also contributed nearly $1.8 million to fund K-12 education opportunities in Arizona, Florida, and Georgia.
Meritage Homes Contributes $4.2 Million In Donations and Funding In 2025The foundation established the Meritage Cares Assistance Fund in 2024, an employer-sponsored relief fund to aid employees impacted by natural disasters and other financial hardships.
The foundation received the 2023 Hearthstone BUILDER Humanitarian Award in recognition of its philanthropic work.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Meritage Cares Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to enrich lives in the metropolitan areas where Meritage does business by providing assistance to eligible charitable organizations for the support and well-being of children, families, military veterans, and other charitable causes approved by the Foundation's selection committee. Primary funding areas include: • **Food Security**: Supporting initiatives to combat food insecurity and hunger among children • **Veterans Support**: Providing assistance to military vete…
How do I apply for a grant from Meritage Cares Foundation?
**Recent Grant Activity (2024):** • Made 65 grants totaling approximately $1.5 million • Notable grants include: • National Arbor Foundation: $300,000 • Building Talent Foundation: $160,000 • No Child Hungry: $157,900 **Grant Types**: The foundation primarily makes unrestricted gifts for general charitable purposes. **Notable Partnerships:** • **Operation Homefront**: Partnership since 2013 providing mortgage-free, energy-efficient homes to deserving veteran families • **No Child Hungry**: Thre…
Where does Meritage Cares Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds charitable organizations in the metropolitan areas where Meritage Homes operates. Specific mentions include communities in Arizona, Florida, and Georgia.
What size grants does Meritage Cares Foundation award?
In 2024, Meritage Cares Foundation awarded 62 grants totaling $1.2M — an average of about $19K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Meritage Cares Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Meritage Cares Foundation reported a distributable amount of $125K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Meritage Cares Foundation's EIN?
Meritage Cares Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-5059067. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Meritage Cares Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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