The Dogwood Foundation is a private foundation based in Poolville, Texas. In 2024, it reported 31 grants totaling $987,085, with listed awards supporting organizations in areas including animal welfare, arts and culture, history, health, and environmental education.
Key facts about The Dogwood Foundation
In short: The Dogwood Foundation gave $987K across 31 grants in 2024 (avg $32K), top state Michigan. 13% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 65-0499552
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $987,085
- Grants made (2024)
- 31
- Average grant
- $31,841
- Median grant
- $25,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (4 of 31, 2024)
- Total assets
- $18,911,836
- Primary geography
- Michigan (30% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$18.9M
+0.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$987K
+8.9% YoY
Grant Count
31
-6.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$32K
+15.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Dogwood Foundation reported a distributable amount of $795K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is The Dogwood Foundation open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 31 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $34K; repeat grants $32K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 74% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−4%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 124% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. For example, the American Quarter Horse Foundation says it supports programs preserving the horse’s legacy and advancing the well-being of the American Quarter Horse family. Key West Wildlife Center says it works to protect Lower Keys native wildlife through rescue, rehabilitation, and education. Blandford Nature Center says it provides environmental education and community programs.
Other 2024 recipients included the Key West Film Society, which describes its work as presenting film and other moving-picture media and maintaining Tropic Cinema, and Children’s Healing Center, which says it provides a safe, engaging environment for children with weakened immune systems.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation made 31 grants totaling $987,085. Awards ranged from $1,600 to $110,000, with a median grant of $25,000. The largest awards included $110,000 to Bellwether Harbor Animal Shelter, $102,500 to the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame, and $95,000 to the Terry Wantz Historical Research Center. Each was listed as supporting operations.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars went to organizations in Michigan (30%), Florida (28%), Texas (26%), Oklahoma (12%), and Illinois (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 31 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $907K (2023) to $1.0M (2022). In 2024 it made 31 grants totaling $987K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Bellwether Harbor Animal Shelter ($110K). Together the top 10 received $645K.
Grant Size Distribution
160 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 126 grants of 160 (79%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bellwether Harbor Animal Shelter Fremont, MI | To Support Operations | $110,000 |
| National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame Fort Worth, TX | To Support Operations | $102,500 |
| Terry Wantz Historical Research Center Fremont, MI | To Support Operations | $95,000 |
| National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Oklahoma City, OK | To Support Operations | $75,000 |
| American Quarter Horse Foundation Amarillo, TX | To Support Operations | $52,500 |
| Florida Keys Spca Key West, FL | To Support Operations | $50,000 |
| Key West Wildlife Center Key West, FL | To Support Operations | $50,000 |
| The Sudios of Key West Key West, FL | To Support Operations | $50,000 |
| Children's Healing Center Grand Rapids, MI | To Support Operations | $30,000 |
| Cook Children's Health Foundation Fort Worth, TX | To Support Operations | $30,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $18,911,836 | $1,270,514 | $1,225,534 | $987,085 | 31 |
| 2023 | $18,884,365 | $605,829 | $1,105,705 | $906,800 | 33 |
| 2022 | $19,323,551 | $926,667 | $1,254,790 | $1,027,660 | 29 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $18,911,836 | $18,884,365 | $19,323,551 |
| Revenue | $1,270,514 | $605,829 | $926,667 |
| Expenses | $1,225,534 | $1,105,705 | $1,254,790 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $987,085 | $906,800 | $1,077,007 |
| Net Investment Income | $947,132 | $750,411 | $708,711 |
| Distributable Amount | $795,473 | $827,031 | $976,183 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Kyle Converse, Holly S. Merrill, Danielle Merrill, McKenzie Merrill, Tyler Merrill, Megan Merrill Miller, Haley Converse Parker, and Mikaela Downing as trustees; Frank G. Merrill as trustee/manager; and Susan Meyers as secretary.
The Dogwood Foundation's 2024 filing lists 11 officers; none of the 11 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Frank G. Merrill
Trustee & Manager
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
$69K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Danielle Merrill
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Holly S. Merrill
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kyle Merrill Converse
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Haley Converse Parker
Trustee
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Jennifer Seifert
Trustee
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
McKenzie Merrill
Trustee
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Megan Merrill Miller
Trustee
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Mikaela Downing
Trustee
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Tyler Merrill
Trustee
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Susan Meyers
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/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.
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $75K, to Frank G Merrill (Trustee/Manager).
Contact
Mailing address: 201 Sweetwater Springs Drive, Poolville, TX 76487
Phone: (405) 203-2855
Website: https://dogwoodfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about The Dogwood Foundation
How much does The Dogwood Foundation give each year?
The Dogwood Foundation gave $987K across 31 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $907K across 33 grants.
What is The Dogwood Foundation's typical grant size?
The Dogwood Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $31,841, across 31 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Dogwood Foundation that year got $34K on average.
Where does The Dogwood Foundation give grants?
The Dogwood Foundation's top state is Michigan, with 30% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Florida (28%) and Texas (26%). The most frequent recipient cities were Key West, FL (11 grants), Fort Worth, TX (4 grants), Fremont, MI (3 grants) and Grand Rapids, MI (2 grants).
Does The Dogwood Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 31 grants with a stated purpose on The Dogwood Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Support Operations" (31 grants).
Who are The Dogwood Foundation's largest grantees?
The Dogwood Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Bellwether Harbor Animal Shelter ($110,000), National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame ($102,500) and Terry Wantz Historical Research Center ($95,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 31% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Dogwood Foundation?
The Dogwood Foundation reported $18.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $987K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $795K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Dogwood Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. For example, the American Quarter Horse Foundation says it supports programs preserving the horse’s legacy and advancing the well-being of the American Quarter Horse family. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Dogwood Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Dogwood Foundation's EIN?
The Dogwood Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 65-0499552. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Dogwood Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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