Merlyn Anderson Trust
The Merlyn Anderson Trust is a private foundation based in Beatrice, Nebraska. Its 2025 filing reports $569,500 in grants, all listed with education-related purposes.
Merlyn Anderson Trust at a glance
In short: Merlyn Anderson Trust gave $570K across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $44K), mostly in Nebraska. 85% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $569,500
- +1050.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 13
- +8.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $43,808
- +962.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $533,905
- -29.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 85% first-time grantees (11 of 13, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (97% 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 Merlyn Anderson Trust
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The Trust does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 523 Court Street, Beatrice, NE 68310
Phone: (402) 228-2995
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Merlyn Anderson Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Nebraska FFA Foundation ($125K). Together the top 10 received $560K.
Grant Size Distribution
35 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 30 grants of 35 (86%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in Nebraska and 3% to recipients in Kansas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Merlyn Anderson Trust open to new grantees?
85%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 11 of 13 grantees (85%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $51K; repeat grants $2K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 15% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 281% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2023–2025). 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 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $45K (2023) to $570K (2025). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $570K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska FFA Foundation Lincoln, NE | Education | $125,000 |
| Southeast Community College Foundation Beatrice, NE | Education | $125,000 |
| Nebraska 4-H Foundation Surprise, NE | Education | $125,000 |
| Beatrice Educaitonal Foundation Beatrice, NE | Education | $70,000 |
| Fairbury Public Schools Foundation Fairbury, NE | Educaiton | $70,000 |
| Addison Koening and Creighton University Omaha, NE | Education | $10,000 |
| Taelyn Filpi and University of Nebraska Lincoln, NE | Education | $10,000 |
| Seth Dean and Southeast Community College Beatrice, NE | Education | $10,000 |
| Samantha Schmidt and Kansas State University Manhattan, KS | Educaiton | $10,000 |
| Ashley Sasse and Nebraska College of Technical Agricultural Curtis, NE | Education | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Merlyn Anderson Trust?
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 | $533,905 | $107,334 | $602,544 | $569,500 | 13 | $569,500 | $47,471 | $202,318 |
| 2024 | $753,990 | $82,844 | $56,903 | $49,500 | 12 | $49,500 | $39,511 | $192,394 |
| 2023 | $727,957 | $3,928 | $51,144 | $45,000 | 10 | $45,000 | $30,165 | $148,344 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Merlyn Anderson Trust reported a distributable amount of $202K 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 Trust is provided. Its 2025 grants were reported with education-related purposes. Among the organizations it supported, the Nebraska FFA Foundation says its mission is to enhance the quality of education and FFA programs, while the Nebraska 4-H Foundation says it supports positive youth development through Nebraska 4-H. The Fairbury Public Schools Foundation describes its mission as providing financial assistance to Fairbury Public Schools District 8 and graduates.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the Trust made 13 grants totaling $569,500. The median grant was $10,000; grants ranged from $2,250 to $125,000.
Notable 2025 grants included $125,000 each to the Nebraska FFA Foundation, Southeast Community College Foundation, and Nebraska 4-H Foundation; $70,000 each to the Beatrice Educational Foundation and Fairbury Public Schools Foundation; and $10,000 to Addison Koening and Creighton University.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Pinnacle Bank as trustee.
Merlyn Anderson Trust's only listed officer is Pinnacle Bank, Trustee on every filing since 2023 (compensated).
Officers on the 2025 filing
Pinnacle Bank
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$6K (2023) → $8K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2023–2025. "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 $8K, to Pinnacle Bank (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Merlyn Anderson Trust
How much does Merlyn Anderson Trust give each year?
Merlyn Anderson Trust gave $570K across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $50K across 12 grants.
What is Merlyn Anderson Trust's typical grant size?
Merlyn Anderson Trust's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $43,808, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Merlyn Anderson Trust that year got $51K on average.
Where does Merlyn Anderson Trust give grants?
Merlyn Anderson Trust gives mostly in Nebraska: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Beatrice, NE (3 grants) and Lincoln, NE (3 grants).
Does Merlyn Anderson Trust give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on Merlyn Anderson Trust's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education" (11 grants).
Who are Merlyn Anderson Trust's largest grantees?
Merlyn Anderson Trust's largest 2025 grantees include Nebraska FFA Foundation ($125,000), Southeast Community College Foundation ($125,000) and Nebraska 4-H Foundation ($125,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 66% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Merlyn Anderson Trust?
Merlyn Anderson Trust reported $534K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $570K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $202K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Merlyn Anderson Trust fund?
No mission statement for the Trust is provided. Its 2025 grants were reported with education-related purposes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Merlyn Anderson Trust?
The Trust does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Merlyn Anderson Trust's EIN?
Merlyn Anderson Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-6186514. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2023–2025.
Does Merlyn Anderson Trust 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
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 29, 2026)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 29, 2026)
Other open foundation grants in Nebraska
Nebraska Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Merlyn Anderson Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Nebraska
The Sherwood Foundation
Omaha, NE
The Sherwood Foundation funds equity and social-justice work in Nebraska, with a focus on urban and rural community partnerships and early childhood education; it supports operating, program, and capital needs. Its 2025 grants had a median of $90,000, though awards varied widely. It does not accept unsolicited requests and uses an invitation-only application process.
Assets
$977.8M
Grants
790
Total Given
$296.3M
Union Pacific Foundation
Omaha, NE
The Union Pacific Foundation funds 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Union Pacific communities, prioritizing direct services and organizational capacity in safety, workforce development, community and public spaces, and local needs. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $600,000, with a median of $10,000; it accepts online applications during designated periods.
Assets
$75K
Grants
441
Total Given
$8.2M
The Lozier Foundation
Omaha, NE
The Lozier Foundation funds education, women and girls, North Omaha initiatives, and human services, with a focus on underrepresented communities in the Omaha metro area. Its 2024 grants ranged from $450 to $2 million, with a median of about $38,000; it does not accept unsolicited funding requests and contributes to preselected organizations.
Assets
$437.1M
Grants
450
Total Given
$49.2M
Nebraska Community Foundation
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska Community Foundation supports community development, arts and culture, education, health, recreation, and other local priorities, primarily through grants made by its affiliated funds. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,250 to $956,500, with a median of $17,139; funding is focused statewide in Nebraska, and the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$277.7M
Grants
409
Total Given
$16.7M
The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation
Omaha, NE
The foundation funds Nebraska college scholarships and charitable organizations, particularly in reproductive and international health; its 2025 grants had a median of about $603,000, with awards ranging from $3,425 to $80.5 million. Its grants reach organizations in the U.S. and internationally, while scholarships are limited to eligible Nebraska students attending Nebraska public colleges. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$2.7B
Grants
417
Total Given
$1.5B
Lincoln Community Foundation Inc
Lincoln, NE
Lincoln Community Foundation funds nonprofit operations, programs, and capital projects in arts and culture, community improvement, education and youth, the environment and animals, and health and human services. Its 2024 grants had a median of $23,420, with awards ranging from $5,027 to $1,585,362; Open Door Grants serve organizations in or providing services in Lincoln/Lancaster County, Nebraska. It accepts Open Door Grant applications year-round and reviews them monthly.
Assets
$250.9M
Grants
379
Total Given
$21.9M
More similar funders
More Funders in Nebraska
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Merlyn Anderson Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/merlyn-anderson-trust-morg_99d52f7b15ea45368f420389872816e7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_476186514_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Merlyn Anderson Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/merlyn-anderson-trust-morg_99d52f7b15ea45368f420389872816e7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 Merlyn Anderson Trust'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.
Merlyn Anderson Trust down — hundreds of funders to go?