Merle Chambers Fund
The Merle Chambers Fund was an independent non-profit family foundation based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1983, the fund supported regional and national nonprofit organizations focused on creating systems change and improving life quality and circumstances. The foundation has spent down and closed as of December 31, 2024.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$76K
-99.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$50.1M
+385.2% YoY
Grant Count
193
+65.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$260K
+194.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Merle Chambers Fund reported a distributable amount of $29.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The fund reflected values and interests centered on:
- Economic self-sufficiency for women — supporting organizations that helped women become economically self-sufficient
- Early care and education — enhancing children's early care and education programs
- Justice, equality, and opportunity — strengthening initiatives focused on justice, equality, and opportunity
- Arts and culture — enriching arts and culture organizations
Ready to take the next step with Merle Chambers Fund?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The fund supported both regional and national nonprofit organizations, with a base in Denver, Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of the most recent reporting, the fund had assets of approximately $20.44 million before spending down operations.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $75,793 | $49,546,133 | $59,407,120 |
| Revenue | $1,141,351 | $1,880,657 | $4,094,776 |
| Expenses | $50,611,691 | $11,741,644 | $11,150,536 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $50,205,152 | $10,829,311 | $10,149,001 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,138,115 | $1,852,043 | $4,030,509 |
| Distributable Amount | $29,609,428 | $1,217,326 | $1,683,880 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Denver Art Museum ($3,000,000), State Leadership Project ($750,000), Center for Technology and Civic Lif ($600,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DENVER ART MUSEUM DENVER, CO | KIRKLAND INSTITUTE CURATOR ENDOWMENT | $3,000,000 |
| STATE LEADERSHIP PROJECT RALEIGH, NC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $750,000 |
| CENTER FOR TECHNOLOGY AND CIVIC LIF CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $600,000 |
| THE BELL POLICY CENTER DENVER, CO | EXCEPTIONAL EXIT GRANT, GENERAL SUPP | $500,000 |
| CLEO PARKER ROBINSON DANCE DENVER, CO | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $500,000 |
| COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION OF OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | EXCEPTIONAL EXIT GRANT, WOMEN'S FUND | $500,000 |
| DENVER ART MUSEUM DENVER, CO | EXCEPTIONAL EXIT GRANT, FELLOWSHIP E | $500,000 |
| NEW VENTURE FUND WASHINGTON, DC | CENTER FOR SECURE & MODERN ELECTIONS | $500,000 |
| REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM FOR ALL FOUNDA WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $500,000 |
| WYOMING COMMUNITY FOUNDATION LARAMIE, WY | EXCEPTIONAL EXIT GRANT, WOMEN'S FUND | $500,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Assets were managed by the board of directors.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MERLE C CHAMBERS | CHAIR/PRESID | 12 | — |
| SALLY LEIBBRANDT | TREASURER | 3 | — |
| KATHARINE ARNOLD | SECRETARY | 3 | — |
| DONALD HOPKINS | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| MARLA WILLIAMS | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| JOEL OURS | TREASURER EF | 3 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Merle Chambers Fund completed its spend-down and officially closed on December 31, 2024. The fund's legacy includes support for initiatives such as the Merle Chambers Chair endowment at the Colorado Symphony and contributions to the University of Denver's center for women and girls.
Merle Catherine Chambers helped create DU's center for women and girls |Frequently Asked Questions
What does Merle Chambers Fund fund?
The fund reflected values and interests centered on: • **Economic self-sufficiency for women** — supporting organizations that helped women become economically self-sufficient • **Early care and education** — enhancing children's early care and education programs • **Justice, equality, and opportunity** — strengthening initiatives focused on justice, equality, and opportunity • **Arts and culture** — enriching arts and culture organizations
Where does Merle Chambers Fund make grants?
The fund supported both regional and national nonprofit organizations, with a base in Denver, Colorado.
What size grants does Merle Chambers Fund award?
In 2024, Merle Chambers Fund awarded 193 grants totaling $50.1M — an average of about $260K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Merle Chambers Fund required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Merle Chambers Fund reported a distributable amount of $29.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Merle Chambers Fund's EIN?
Merle Chambers Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-0929410. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Merle Chambers Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Larimer County Farm Bureau
WELLINGTON, CO
Assets
$986K
Grants
1
Total Given
$16K
Knight Family Foundation
BASALT, CO
Assets
$9.6M
Grants
22
Total Given
$420K
Jumping Mouse Foundation
BOULDER, CO
Assets
$10.0M
Grants
19
Total Given
$700K
Delta Dental of Colorado
CENTENNIAL, CO
Assets
$106.6M
Grants
42
Total Given
$2.8M
German American Chamber of Commerce -
DENVER, CO
Assets
$2.8M
Grants
2
Total Given
$63K
Terra Foundation Inc
NIWOT, CO
Assets
$2.2M
Grants
3
Total Given
$82K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Merle Chambers Fund on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Merle Chambers Fund to a real strategy.