Merus Foundation
Merus Foundation is a private foundation based in Cincinnati, Ohio (EIN 87-1354173). Its 2025 filing reports 56 grants totaling $375,964, with recipients in Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky, Washington, DC, and Pennsylvania.
Merus Foundation at a glance
In short: Merus Foundation gave $376K across 56 grants in 2025 (avg $7K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $375,964
- +19.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 56
- +30.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $6,714
- -7.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $582
- Total assets
- $10,168,718
- +19.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Ohio (64% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Merus Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 302 W 3Rd Street 300, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: (513) 271-6400
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Merus Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was America's River Roots' Festival ($50K). Together the top 10 received $300K.
Grant Size Distribution
142 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 137 grants of 142 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 64% of grant dollars went to Ohio recipients, 15% to Tennessee, 9% to Kentucky, 8% to Washington, DC, and 3% to Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 56 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Merus Foundation gives
- 39% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 358% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 84% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (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 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $82K (2022) to $376K (2025). In 2025 it made 56 grants totaling $376K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| America's River Roots' Festival Cincinnati, OH | General Purpose | $50,000 |
| Corporation of Findlay Market Cincinnati, OH | General Purpose | $50,000 |
| Keep Cincinnati Beautiful Cincinnati, OH | General Purpose | $50,000 |
| Brighton Center Inc Newport, KY | General Purpose | $30,250 |
| Project Destined Washington, DC | General Purpose | $30,000 |
| Artworks Cincinnati, OH | General Purpose | $25,000 |
| Tennessee Performing Arts Center Nashville, TN | General Purpose | $25,000 |
| United Way of Greater Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH | General Purpose | $19,685 |
| Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Cincinnati, OH | General Purpose | $10,250 |
| Cincinnati Museum Center Cincinnati, OH | General Purpose | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Merus Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The filing type is Form 990-PF.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $10,168,718 | $1,400,495 | $431,868 | $375,964 | 56 | $381,589 | $554,411 | $452,944 |
| 2024 | $8,513,160 | $1,810,880 | $347,190 | $313,459 | 43 | $316,218 | $315,533 | $385,893 |
| 2023 | $6,438,993 | $2,501,914 | $160,660 | $141,129 | 30 | $142,808 | $134,062 | $285,458 |
| 2022 | $3,653,956 | $3,800,800 | $97,356 | $82,060 | 13 | $89,707 | $4,007 | $105,898 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Merus Foundation reported a distributable amount of $453K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No formal mission statement is provided in the available information. The 2025 grants show support for organizations working in community improvement, family services, leadership and entrepreneurship, the arts, civic design, education, and parks stewardship. These descriptions reflect the grantees’ missions, not a stated mission of the foundation.
For example, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful says it educates and encourages people to improve their community environments. Brighton Center describes its work as creating opportunities for individuals and families to reach self-sufficiency through family support, education, employment, and leadership. Project Destined says it trains scholars in leadership and entrepreneurship through real estate investment evaluation and networking opportunities.
Other 2025 recipients describe work in community improvement and mobilization (United Way of Greater Cincinnati), theater (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park), civic design (Civic Design Center), learning through science and regional history (Cincinnati Museum Center), and improving and stewarding parks (Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy).
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 56 grants totaling $375,964. Grants ranged from $50 to $50,000, with a median of $582. The largest awards included $50,000 each to America’s River Roots’ Festival, Corporation of Findlay Market, and Keep Cincinnati Beautiful; $30,250 to Brighton Center; and $30,000 to Project Destined. Other notable grants were $25,000 to ArtWorks and Tennessee Performing Arts Center, $19,685 to United Way of Greater Cincinnati, and $10,250 to Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Molly North as president, Stephanie Gaither as secretary/treasurer, and Paul Muething and Patrick Poole as board members.
Merus Foundation is led by Molly North, President since 2024 (on filings since 2021); none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Molly North
President
CEO → President, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Muething
Board Member
Assistance Secretary → Chairman, 2022
Chairman → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Gaither
Secretary & Treasurer
Executive Vice President & CFO → Executive Vice President, COO & Real Estate, 2022
Executive Vice President, COO & Real Estate → Secretary & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Poole
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Samantha Cetrulo (2022–2023) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Merus Foundation
How much does Merus Foundation give each year?
Merus Foundation gave $376K across 56 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $313K across 43 grants.
What is Merus Foundation's typical grant size?
Merus Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $582, and its average grant was $6,714, across 56 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Merus Foundation give grants?
Merus Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 64% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Tennessee (15%) and Kentucky (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Cincinnati, OH (21 grants), Nashville, TN (6 grants), Covington, KY (4 grants) and Pittsburgh, PA (2 grants).
Does Merus Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Merus Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (56 of 56) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Merus Foundation's largest grantees?
Merus Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include America's River Roots' Festival ($50,000), Corporation of Findlay Market ($50,000) and Keep Cincinnati Beautiful ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 40% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Merus Foundation?
Merus Foundation reported $10.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $382K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $453K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Merus Foundation fund?
No formal mission statement is provided in the available information. The 2025 grants show support for organizations working in community improvement, family services, leadership and entrepreneurship, the arts, civic design, education, and parks stewardship. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Merus Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests and states that it 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 Merus Foundation's EIN?
Merus Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-1354173. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Merus 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 16, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 1, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Merus Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Duke Energy Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
41
Total Given
$25.6M
American Modern Foundation
Amelia, OH
The American Modern Foundation funds fundraising efforts for preselected charitable organizations, with 2025 grants ranging from $3,021 to $10,000 (median $4,750). Its listed 2025 grants all went to organizations in Ohio, and it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$8K
Grants
4
Total Given
$23K
Robert H & Susan F Castellini Foundation
Cincinnati, OH
The foundation supports a broad range of charitable organizations, including healthcare, arts, education, and civic causes, with awards intended mainly for the Greater Cincinnati area; it prefers not to fund religious or political purposes. In 2025, grants ranged from $100 to $200,000, with a median of $2,500. It accepts requests by letter, with no deadline, and the filing says its giving is not limited to preselected organizations.
Assets
$5.3M
Grants
131
Total Given
$1.9M
Carol Ann and Ralph V Haile Jr
Cincinnati, OH
The foundation funds arts and culture, civic and community initiatives, education, and human services in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, with a typical grant around $25,000 (2024 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million). It says it funds preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$283.2M
Grants
167
Total Given
$11.8M
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
Horizon Community Funds of Northern Kentucky
Covington, KY
Horizon Community Funds supports nonprofits addressing poverty, arts, innovation, children’s education, health and wellness, community development, and affordable housing, with its Community Impact Fund focused on Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties in Northern Kentucky. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely; the 2026 Community Impact Fund offered one $115,000 award. The fund accepted letters of intent for that cycle, with full applications by invitation; the stated deadlines have passed.
Assets
$51.2M
Grants
136
Total Given
$11.4M
More similar funders
More Funders in Ohio
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Merus Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/merus-foundation-morg_d1652e4f2cc043a4993953098f7d6277
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_871354173_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Merus Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/merus-foundation-morg_d1652e4f2cc043a4993953098f7d6277},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Merus 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.
Merus Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?