Merkel Family Foundation
Merkel Family Foundation is a private foundation, based in Tulsa, OK. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $2.7M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 7 grants totaling $153K. Net investment income was $207K.
Merkel Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Merkel Family Foundation gave $153K across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $22K), mostly in Oklahoma. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $153,425
- -8.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $21,918
- -8.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $2,727,449
- +2.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Oklahoma (78% 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 Merkel Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Oklahoma State University Foundation ($65K). Together the top 7 received $153K.
Grant Size Distribution
42 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 37 grants of 42 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How Merkel Family Foundation gives
- Giving fell 24% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 95% 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $153K (2025) to $201K (2022). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $153K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma State University Foundation Stillwater, OK | General Fund | $65,000 |
| The Church of God International Tyler, TX | General Fund | $33,425 |
| The Salvation Army Tulsa, OK | General Fund | $25,000 |
| O R U Golden Eagle Club Inc Tulsa, OK | General Fund | $20,000 |
| Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum Inc Sapulpa, OK | General Fund | $5,000 |
| The Pencil Box Inc Tulsa, OK | General Fund | $2,500 |
| Tulsa Community Foundation Tulsa, OK | General Fund | $2,500 |
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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 | $2,727,449 | $391,213 | $337,505 | $153,425 | 7 | $153,425 | $207,133 | $161,709 |
| 2024 | $2,670,149 | $146,389 | $376,434 | $168,058 | 7 | $168,058 | — | $164,528 |
| 2023 | $2,886,794 | $90,155 | $392,341 | $188,499 | 10 | $188,499 | — | $162,996 |
| 2022 | $3,186,146 | $190,905 | $446,915 | $201,062 | 9 | $201,062 | — | $180,949 |
| 2021 | $3,442,156 | $530,318 | $491,873 | $200,148 | 9 | $200,148 | $238,593 | $207,394 |
| 2020 | $3,411,622 | $80,140 | $451,119 | $199,831 | 11 | — | — | $192,799 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Merkel Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $162K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Merkel Family Foundation's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Bryant J. Coffman
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$38K (2020) → $33K (2025)
John B. Turner
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$38K (2020) → $33K (2025)
Jon R. Stuart
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$38K (2020) → $8K (2025)
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $33K, to John B Turner (Trustee). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Merkel Family Foundation
How much does Merkel Family Foundation give each year?
Merkel Family Foundation gave $153K across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $168K across 7 grants.
What is Merkel Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Merkel Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $21,918, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Merkel Family Foundation give grants?
Merkel Family Foundation gives mostly in Oklahoma: 78% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Texas (22%). The most frequent recipient cities were Tulsa, OK (4 grants).
Does Merkel Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Merkel Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (7 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Merkel Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Merkel Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Oklahoma State University Foundation ($65,000), The Church of God International ($33,425) and The Salvation Army ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 80% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Merkel Family Foundation?
Merkel Family Foundation reported $2.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $153K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $162K (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.
What is Merkel Family Foundation's EIN?
Merkel Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 73-6248411. 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 November 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 5, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 28, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 22, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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