RPM Foundation
RPM Foundation is a private foundation, 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.
RPM Foundation at a glance
In short: RPM Foundation gave $159K across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $40K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $159,450
- +1.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- -20.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $39,863
- +26.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $23,950
- Total assets
- $2,293,932
- -10.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Illinois (63% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who RPM Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Northwestern University ($100K). Together the top 4 received $159K.
Grant Size Distribution
24 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 21 grants of 24 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $111K (2021) to $159K (2024). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $159K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| 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 |
Ready to take the next step with RPM Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,293,932 | $90,579 | $168,151 | $159,450 | 4 | $165,629 | $90,553 | $117,634 |
| 2023 | $2,550,212 | $106,666 | $163,924 | $157,300 | 5 | $163,630 | $104,993 | $108,927 |
| 2022 | $1,747,019 | $335 | $126,527 | $115,300 | 5 | $124,226 | $45 | $118,564 |
| 2021 | $2,474,306 | $105,026 | $114,651 | $111,000 | 6 | $114,322 | $104,713 | $123,090 |
| 2020 | $2,537,131 | $42,436 | $124,545 | $115,000 | 4 | — | $41,942 | $121,233 |
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.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
RPM Foundation is led by Richard Merage, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Richard Merage
President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elisabeth Merage
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Merage
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 RPM Foundation
How much does RPM Foundation give each year?
RPM Foundation gave $159K across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $157K across 5 grants.
What is RPM Foundation's typical grant size?
RPM Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $23,950, and its average grant was $39,863, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does RPM Foundation give grants?
RPM Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 63% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (37%).
Does RPM Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of RPM Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 4) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is RPM Foundation?
RPM Foundation reported $2.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $166K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $118K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is RPM Foundation's EIN?
RPM Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-0523471. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work RPM Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in RPM Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Lyons Share Foundation
Newport Beach, CA
The Lyons Share Foundation primarily funds performing arts, concerts, and arts education, with occasional support for public high school programs and taxpayer or airport-impact advocacy. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $3.501 million, with a median of $42,500, and went mainly to California organizations. It supports only preselected charities and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$16.0M
Grants
10
Total Given
$3.9M
Corey & Leslie Leyton Family Foundation
Orange, CA
Assets
$444K
Grants
4
Total Given
$164K
The Paul & Elisabeth Merage
Newport Beach, CA
Assets
$40.8M
Grants
5
Total Given
$1.9M
IBM International Foundation
Armonk, NY
The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
Orange County Community Foundation
Irvine, CA
The Orange County Community Foundation supports a wide range of causes, including human services, education, health, arts, the environment, and community development, primarily in Orange County and also beyond. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely; it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$743.6M
Grants
975
Total Given
$120.4M
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
More similar funders
More Funders in California
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from RPM 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.
RPM Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?