Merkel Foundation Inc
Merkel Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Established in 1986 and tax-exempt since May 1988, the foundation operates as a family foundation with a volunteer board structure and no paid staff.
Key facts about Merkel Foundation Inc
- EIN
- 39-1582624
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,316,683
- Grants made (2025)
- 47
- Average grant
- $49,291
- Median grant
- $20,078
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (6 of 46, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (76% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Merkel Foundation Inc funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Merkel Foundation Inc's 47 itemized 2025 grants were Wisconsin (76%) and California (19%). The most frequent recipient cities were Milwaukee, WI (15 grants), Sheboygan, WI (9 grants), New Berlin, WI (3 grants) and St Francis, WI (2 grants). 98% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Is Merkel Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 46 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $90K; repeat grants $44K. How we count
Medians: $30K first-time, $20K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Merkel Foundation Inc
- How to evaluate Merkel Foundation Inc as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to Merkel Foundation Inc with AI
AI grant writing that drafts from your organization’s own materials, in your voice.
- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
A free Google Sheets or Excel template for deadlines, award terms, and reports due.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$2.3M
+18.2% YoY
Grant Count
47
+6.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$49K
+10.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary purpose is to support Roman Catholic services and organizations, social services and youth, and health associations. Grant-making focuses on education, philanthropy and voluntarism, and human services, with particular emphasis on science education and STEM initiatives.
Grantmaking
The foundation supports initiatives across multiple states including Wisconsin, Virginia, Texas, California, Colorado, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Key funded cities include Appleton, Dallas, and Milwaukee.
Grant Range
$184
Average Grant
$184
Ready to take the next step with Merkel Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 47 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $49.2–$56.1 million (figures vary by reporting period)
- Total Annual Giving: $2,316,683
- Annual Expenses: Approximately $2 million
- Annual Revenue: Approximately $22.7 million
- Asset Growth: 2.6% increase from previous year
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
185 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include Global Brigades Inc ($451,381), Archdiocese of Milwaukee Inc (Catholic Stewardship Appeal) ($401,187), Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers ($250,726).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| GLOBAL BRIGADES INC Fresno, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $451,381 |
| ARCHDIOCESE OF MILWAUKEE INC (CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP APPEAL) Milwaukee, WI | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $401,187 |
| SIXTEENTH STREET COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS Milwaukee, WI | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $250,726 |
| HOLY APOSTLES CATHOLIC PARISH New Berlin, WI | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $99,822 |
| SHEBOYGAN YOUTH SAILING CLUB INC Sheboygan, WI | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $99,464 |
| ST DOMINIC PARISH Brookfield, WI | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $84,898 |
| COMMUNITY OF ST PAUL INC Racine, WI | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $53,610 |
| MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY Milwaukee, WI | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $50,194 |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF EASTERN WI INC Milwaukee, WI | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $50,194 |
| SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES SEMINARY (THE SALESIANUM TRUST) St Francis, WI | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $50,194 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is led by a volunteer board of directors:
- President: Carol L. Garces
- Vice President: Randy T. Benz
Both board members contribute minimal hours and receive no compensation for their roles.
Compensation Overview
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2025 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carol L Garces | President/Director | 0.1 | — |
| Sandra J Benz | Vice President/Secretary/Director | 0.2 | — |
| Randy T Benz | Vice President/Treasurer/Director | 9.5 | — |
| Carlos M Garces | Vice President/Director | 0.1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 3465 Muirwood Dr, Brookfield, WI 53045-5107
Telephone: 262-227-9357
EIN: 39-1582624
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Merkel Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's primary purpose is to support Roman Catholic services and organizations, social services and youth, and health associations. Grant-making focuses on education, philanthropy and voluntarism, and human services, with particular emphasis on science education and STEM initiatives.
How do I apply for a grant from Merkel Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • Total annual giving: $2,316,683 • Average grant size: $184 • Typical award range: $5,000–$471,918 • The foundation made 7,267 grants in the previous year • Open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants funded **Geographic Distribution:** The foundation supports initiatives across multiple states including Wisconsin, Virginia, Texas, California, Colorado, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Key funded cities include Appleton, Dallas, and M…
What size grants does Merkel Foundation Inc award?
In 2025, Merkel Foundation Inc awarded 47 grants totaling $2.3M — an average of about $49K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Merkel Foundation Inc's EIN?
Merkel Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1582624. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Merkel Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Baird Foundation Inc
Milwaukee, WI
Assets
—
Grants
3,751
Total Given
$6.6M
Green Bay Packers Foundation
Green Bay, WI
Assets
—
Grants
530
Total Given
$3.6M
Ge Aerospace Foundation
Norwalk, CT
Assets
$22.5M
Grants
2,467
Total Given
$15.3M
Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing
Appleton, WI
Assets
$939.7M
Grants
2,565
Total Given
$84.6M
Dane Buy Local Foundation Inc
Madison, WI
Assets
$16K
Grants
1,382
Total Given
$12.7M
Alliant Energy Foundation Inc
Madison, WI
Assets
—
Grants
1,213
Total Given
$3.0M
Greater Milwaukee Foundation Inc
Milwaukee, WI
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
838
Total Given
$66.8M
Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Inc
Milwaukee, WI
Assets
—
Grants
623
Total Given
$3.2M
Community Foundation for the Fox Valley
Appleton, WI
Assets
$536.6M
Grants
448
Total Given
$32.4M
Ab Nicholas Scholarship Foundation
Mequon, WI
Assets
—
Grants
445
Total Given
$3.5M
Jpmorgan Chase Foundation
New York, NY
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
10,334
Total Given
$202.5M
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
Assets
—
Grants
9,499
Total Given
$73.1M
More Funders in Wisconsin
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.