Merkley Charitable Trust
Merkley Charitable Trust is a private foundation based in Columbus, Ohio. The organization was established in 1993 and holds 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. The foundation operates with a small staff of one employee and maintains its principal office at PO Box 1558, Columbus, OH 43216.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$216K
+4.3% YoY
Grant Count
14
-17.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$15K
+26.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation has not publicly provided a formal mission statement. However, based on recent grantmaking activity, the trust supports organizations working in education, philanthropy and voluntarism, human services, and animal welfare. The foundation demonstrates particular interest in animal rescue and welfare initiatives.
Grantmaking
The Merkley Charitable Trust is an active grantmaker with recent grants including:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking is primarily concentrated in Michigan, though the foundation itself is based in Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending November 2024:
- Total Assets: $3,619,630
- Total Revenues: $180,706
- Total Expenses: $292,070
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Investment Income and Dividends: $173,357
- Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $7,349
The foundation's revenue declined 59.1% from the prior year ($441,671 in FY 2023), primarily due to a significant decrease in gains from asset sales. Investment income increased 31.7% year-over-year.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
90 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Genesee County Parks and Recreation ($104,452), Genesee County Humane Society ($34,820), Hurley Foundation ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BIG BROTHERSBIG SISTERS OF GREATER FLINT, MI | GENERAL OPERATING | $5,000 |
| FLINT INSTITUTE OF ARTS FLINT, MI | GENERAL OPERATING | $5,000 |
| FOOD BANK OF EASTERN MICHIGAN FLINT, MI | GENERAL OPERATING | $4,000 |
| CHOSEN FEW ARTS COUNCIL FLINT, MI | GENERAL OPERATING | $3,000 |
| GENESEE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY BURTON, MI | GENERAL OPERATING | $34,820 |
| FRIENDS OF FOR MAR FOUNDATION INC BURTON, MI | GENERAL OPERATING | $5,000 |
| KETTERING UNIVERSITY FLINT, MI | GENERAL OPERATING | $3,000 |
| THE NEW MCCREE THEATRE FLINT, MI | GENERAL OPERATING | $4,000 |
| CRIM FITNESS FOUNDATION INC FLINT, MI | GENERAL OPERATING | $4,000 |
| CROSSOVER DOWNTOWN OUTREACH MINISTRY FLINT, MI | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS | $2,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK | TRUSTEE | 1 | $63,493 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Merkley Charitable Trust fund?
The foundation has not publicly provided a formal mission statement. However, based on recent grantmaking activity, the trust supports organizations working in education, philanthropy and voluntarism, human services, and animal welfare. The foundation demonstrates particular interest in animal rescue and welfare initiatives.
How do I apply for a grant from Merkley Charitable Trust?
The Merkley Charitable Trust is an active grantmaker with recent grants including: • Humane Society of Genesee County: $34,820 (General Operating, 2024) • Hurley Foundation: $20,000 (General Operating, 2024) • Genesys Hurley Cancer Institute: $13,000 (General Operating, 2024) The foundation made 11 grants totaling $216,272 in its most recent fiscal year. Typical grant awards range from $1,000 to $104,452. The foundation focuses on general operating support for its grantees.
Where does Merkley Charitable Trust make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking is primarily concentrated in Michigan, though the foundation itself is based in Ohio.
What size grants does Merkley Charitable Trust award?
In 2024, Merkley Charitable Trust awarded 14 grants totaling $216K — an average of about $15K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Merkley Charitable Trust's EIN?
Merkley Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-6528749. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Merkley Charitable Trust'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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