Merrill Family Charitable Foundation Inc
The Merrill Family Charitable Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1997 and based in Boston, Massachusetts. As a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates as a family foundation dedicated to philanthropic giving across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$659K
-13.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$727K
+1.0% YoY
Grant Count
63
-14.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$12K
+18.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Merrill Family Charitable Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $77K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation provides giving primarily for:
- The arts
- Education
- The environment
- Community development
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.
Grant Range
$6,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations located throughout the United States, with notable grantees in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and other states.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024
- Total assets: $659,000–$760,000
- Total revenues: $657,982
- Total expenses: $758,767
- Total liabilities: $0
- Investment income and dividends: $35,685
Historical Assets
- 2023: $975,000
- 2022: $1.3 million
- 2021: $1.4 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $659,168 | $759,961 | $974,610 |
| Revenue | $657,982 | $543,131 | $543,470 |
| Expenses | $758,767 | $757,540 | $853,676 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $738,218 | $733,074 | $831,844 |
| Net Investment Income | $645,432 | $528,856 | $526,618 |
| Distributable Amount | $76,713 | $97,912 | $123,388 |
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 Corporate Accountability International ($60,000), Boston Lyric Opera Company ($50,000), Mira Coalition ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| HISTORIC SALEM COURTHOUSE SALEM, NY | GENERAL | $1,000 |
| AGRICULTURAL STEWARDSHIP GREENWICH, NY | GENERAL | $35,000 |
| SOUTHERN UTAH WILDERNESS ALLIANCE SALT LAKE CITY, UT | GENERAL | $8,000 |
| ENGENDERHEALTH New York, NY | GENERAL | $5,000 |
| WORLD MONUMENTS FUND NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL | $4,000 |
| DIONONDEHOWA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY SHUSHAN, NY | GENERAL | $2,500 |
| SUSTAINABLE HARVEST INTERNATIONAL ELLSWORTH, ME | GENERAL | $20,000 |
| INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS CHICAGO, IL | BENEFIT IN THE TIME | $5,000 |
| PARTNERS IN HEALTH FREDERICK, MD | GENERAL | $5,000 |
| CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY INTERNATIONAL BOSTON, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $60,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRUCE MERRILL | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| PAUL MERRILL | VICE-PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| AMY MERRILL | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| MATTHEW R HILLERY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 1 Post Office Square, Floor 25, Boston, MA 02109-2115
Phone: 617-482-1776
EIN: 22-3494040
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Merrill Family Charitable Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation provides giving primarily for: • The arts • Education • The environment • Community development
How do I apply for a grant from Merrill Family Charitable Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity (2024)** • Total giving: $720,000 • Number of grants: 74 • Median grant size: $6,000 • Grant range: $500–$60,000 **Grant Activity (2023)** • Total giving: $816,000 • Number of grants: 78 • Median grant size: $5,000 **Recent Grant Recipients (2023-2024)** • Boston Lyric Opera Company: $50,000 • Tupelo Press: $45,000 • James Merrill House Foundation: $60,000 • Agricultural Stewardship Association: $35,000 • Mira Coalition: $50,000 • Company One Inc: $30,000 • United Help Ukraine:…
Where does Merrill Family Charitable Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation funds organizations located throughout the United States, with notable grantees in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and other states.
What size grants does Merrill Family Charitable Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Merrill Family Charitable Foundation Inc awarded 63 grants totaling $727K — an average of about $12K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Merrill Family Charitable Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Merrill Family Charitable Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $77K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Merrill Family Charitable Foundation Inc's EIN?
Merrill Family Charitable Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-3494040. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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