RPM Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker Newport Beach, CA EIN: 26-0523471

RPM Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Newport Beach, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.3M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $159K. Net investment income was $91K.

Key facts about RPM Foundation

EIN: 26-0523471
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $159,450
Grants made (2024): 4
Average grant: $39,863
Median grant: $23,950
Total assets: $2,293,932
Primary geography: Illinois (63% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Who RPM Foundation funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for RPM Foundation's 4 itemized 2024 grants were Illinois (63%) and California (37%). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.

How RPM Foundation gives

Giving grew 44% from 2021 to 2024. Method
In 2024 it paid out 141% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

Next steps with RPM Foundation

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Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$2.3M

-10.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$159K

+1.4% YoY

Grant Count

-20.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$40K

+26.7% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, RPM Foundation reported a distributable amount of $118K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

About RPM Foundation

Based on IRS filings

Focus Areas

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

Illinois $100K (63%)

California $59K (37%)

Share of all 4 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

California Illinois New York Tennessee

Cities

IrvineSanta AnaSan Juan CapistranoCosta MesaAliso ViejoEvanstonMemphisNew York

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$2,293,932	$2,550,212	$1,747,019
Revenue	$90,579	$106,666	$335
Expenses	$168,151	$163,924	$126,527
Qualifying Distributions	$165,629	$163,630	$124,226
Net Investment Income	$90,553	$104,993	$45
Distributable Amount	$117,634	$108,927	$118,564

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

March 2, 2026 IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 4 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

24 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Northwestern University ($100,000), TVT Community Day School ($36,000), Jserra Catholic High School ($11,900).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY Evanston, IL	GENERAL OPERATIONS	$100,000
TVT COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL Irvine, CA	GENERAL OPERATIONS	$36,000
JSERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL San Juan Capistrano, CA	GENERAL OPERATIONS	$11,900
SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS Costa Mesa, CA	GENERAL OPERATIONS	$11,550

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.

From 2024 IRS filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
Richard Merage	President	2	—
Elisabeth Merage	Secretary	1	—
Paul Merage	Treasurer	1	—

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What is RPM Foundation?

RPM Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Newport Beach, CA. It holds $2.3M in total assets as of 2024.

How large is RPM Foundation?

As of 2024, RPM Foundation holds $2.3M in total assets with $91K in annual revenue. It awarded 4 grants totaling $159K in 2024.

Where does RPM Foundation operate?

RPM Foundation has awarded grants in California, Illinois, New York, Tennessee.

What size grants does RPM Foundation award?

In 2024, RPM Foundation awarded 4 grants totaling $159K — an average of about $40K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is RPM Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, RPM Foundation reported a distributable amount of $118K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.