Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation
The Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation is based in Marion, Ohio, and files as a Form 990-PF (a private foundation). Its 2025 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and restricts awards to benefiting citizens of Marion County, Ohio.
Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation at a glance
In short: Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation gave $81K across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $6K), mostly in Ohio. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $81,100
- +1.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 13
- +8.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $6,238
- -6.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $6,000
- Total assets
- $2,085,113
- +4.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 12, 2025; small sample)
- 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. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it contributes only to preselected charitable organizations. Its filing says to contact Ronald D Cramer TTEE and submit a letter stating the purpose, relationship to Marion County, and sources of support. Awards are restricted to benefiting citizens of Marion County, Ohio.
- Review Cycle
- The filing states October 1st for each calendar year.
- Deadline
- The filing states October 1st for each calendar year.
- Contact
Application contact: Ronald D Cramer Ttee
Mailing address: 519 Susan Circle, Marion, OH 43302
Phone: (740) 387-9093
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Marion Co Historical Soc ($12K). Together the top 10 received $77K.
Grant Size Distribution
62 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 62 grants of 62 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All reported 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio. The foundation’s filing states that awards must benefit citizens of Marion County, Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 12 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. How we count
- 100% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−10%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 100% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $61K (2023) to $90K (2022). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $81K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Marion Co Historical Soc Marion, OH | Community Support | $12,000 |
| Palace Cultural Assoc Marion, OH | Community Support | $10,000 |
| Marion Red Cross Chapter Columbus, OH | Community Support | $10,000 |
| Leapin Outreach Marion, OH | Commumity Support | $10,000 |
| Marion Co Family Court Marion, OH | Care Fitvisitation | $10,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club Marion, OH | Community Support | $6,000 |
| Marion Tech College Marion, OH | Community Support | $6,000 |
| Marion Harding HS Marion, OH | Pbis Fundstudent Recognition | $5,000 |
| Central Christian Church Marion, OH | Community Support | $4,000 |
| Marion Veterans Park Marion, OH | Community Support | $4,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation?
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 | $2,085,113 | $83,390 | $112,519 | $81,100 | 13 | $97,856 | $51,971 | $97,717 |
| 2024 | $1,997,699 | $77,833 | $109,015 | $80,000 | 12 | $95,383 | $123,989 | $92,162 |
| 2023 | $1,917,717 | $59,156 | $91,023 | $60,500 | 10 | $76,486 | $68,030 | $89,449 |
| 2022 | $1,819,099 | $88,432 | $121,727 | $89,700 | 13 | $107,452 | $74,645 | $97,159 |
| 2020 | $2,013,610 | $64,823 | $115,599 | $89,000 | 14 | — | $38,224 | $94,034 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $98K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations including the Marion County Historical Society, Palace Cultural Association, Marion Red Cross Chapter, Leapin Outreach, Marion County Family Court, Boys & Girls Club, and Marion Technical College.
The Boys & Girls Club describes its mission as “participation in recreation, education and safety for boys and girls.” The Marion Community Foundation describes its mission as continually improving the Marion area community through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave $81,100 across 13 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $12,000, with a median grant of $6,000. Notable grants included $12,000 to Marion County Historical Society; $10,000 each to Palace Cultural Association, Marion Red Cross Chapter, Leapin Outreach, and Marion County Family Court; and $6,000 each to Boys & Girls Club and Marion Technical College.
The 2025 filing also lists a $1,100 grant to Marion Community Foundation. Its description of the grantee states that it received $1,000 from the foundation in 2025.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Marcia A Cramer and Ronald D Cramer as trustees.
Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; all 2 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ronald D Cramer
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2020) → $5K (2025)
Marcia a Cramer
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$6K (2022) → $5K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Joe D. Donithen (2020) — Trustee
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 $5K, to Marcia a Cramer (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation
How much does Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation give each year?
Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation gave $81K across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $80K across 12 grants.
What is Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation's typical grant size?
Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $6,000, and its average grant was $6,238, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation give grants?
Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Marion, OH (12 grants).
Does Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community Support" (8 grants).
Who are Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation's largest grantees?
Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Marion Co Historical Soc ($12,000), Palace Cultural Assoc ($10,000) and Marion Red Cross Chapter ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation?
Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation reported $2.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $98K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $98K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations including the Marion County Historical Society, Palace Cultural Association, Marion Red Cross Chapter, Leapin Outreach, Marion County Family Court, Boys & Girls Club, and Marion Technical College. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it contributes only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1650890. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 4, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/merle-and-peg-hamilton-charitable-foundation-morg_b2e5c5adbc364144847849b440c7e88e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_311650890_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Merle \& Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/merle-and-peg-hamilton-charitable-foundation-morg_b2e5c5adbc364144847849b440c7e88e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Merle & Peg Hamilton Charitable Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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