Merkle Foundation
Merkle Foundation is a private foundation, based in Pittsburgh, PA. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $2.9M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $145K. Net investment income was $132K.
Merkle Foundation at a glance
In short: Merkle Foundation gave $145K across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $29K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $145,373
- +19.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 5
- -16.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $29,075
- +43.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $14,537
- Total assets
- $2,856,311
- -0.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Ohio (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
Who Merkle Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Ohio Wesleyan University ($55K). Together the top 5 received $145K.
Grant Size Distribution
26 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 22 grants of 26 (85%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Merkle Foundation gives
- Giving grew 1242% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 93% 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $11K (2022) to $273K (2023). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $145K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Wesleyan University Delaware, OH | General Support | $54,515 |
| Baldwin Wallace College Berea, OH | General Support | $54,515 |
| Magnificat High School Rocky River, OH | General Support | $14,537 |
| Wesleyan Senior Care Inc Elyria, OH | General Support | $14,537 |
| Muskingum University New Concord, OH | General Support | $7,269 |
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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 | $2,856,311 | $167,269 | $189,385 | $145,373 | 5 | $153,986 | $132,312 | $165,935 |
| 2024 | $2,878,497 | $124,603 | $176,340 | $121,224 | 6 | $129,358 | $91,593 | $153,507 |
| 2023 | $2,931,166 | $646,508 | $314,050 | $273,282 | 5 | $292,462 | $626,638 | $140,403 |
| 2022 | $2,600,289 | $225,689 | $58,958 | $10,832 | 5 | $32,676 | $203,428 | $170,338 |
| 2021 | $2,428,706 | $296,733 | $170,435 | $123,166 | 5 | — | $275,092 | $156,007 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Merkle Foundation reported a distributable amount of $166K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Merkle Foundation's only listed officer is PNC Bank N A, Trustee on every filing since 2024 (compensated).
Officers on the 2025 filing
PNC Bank N A
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
$40K (2024) → $42K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: PNC Bank NA (2021–2023) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $42K, to PNC Bank N a (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Merkle Foundation
How much does Merkle Foundation give each year?
Merkle Foundation gave $145K across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $121K across 6 grants.
What is Merkle Foundation's typical grant size?
Merkle Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $14,537, and its average grant was $29,075, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Merkle Foundation give grants?
Merkle Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does Merkle Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Merkle Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Merkle Foundation's largest grantees?
Merkle Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Ohio Wesleyan University ($54,515), Baldwin Wallace College ($54,515) and Magnificat High School ($14,537), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 85% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Merkle Foundation?
Merkle Foundation reported $2.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $154K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $166K (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 Merkle Foundation's EIN?
Merkle Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-6547402. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 2, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 3, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS October 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Live grants for the work Merkle Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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