The Esther and Carl Merklein
The Esther and Carl Merklein is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in PHILLIPSBURG, KS. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $825K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 13 grants totaling $44K. Net investment income was $35K.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$825K
-1.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$44K
-2.0% YoY
Grant Count
13
+8.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$3K
-9.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Esther and Carl Merklein reported a distributable amount of $51K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About The Esther and Carl Merklein
Based on IRS filings
The Esther and Carl Merklein is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in PHILLIPSBURG, KS. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $825K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 13 grants totaling $44K. Net investment income was $35K.
Focus Areas
Ready to take the next step with The Esther and Carl Merklein?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $824,798 | $838,926 | $847,933 |
| Revenue | $43,231 | $50,941 | $43,319 |
| Expenses | $57,359 | $59,948 | $62,249 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $48,332 | $51,132 | $52,985 |
| Net Investment Income | $34,633 | $42,125 | $34,563 |
| Distributable Amount | $51,458 | $50,234 | $50,786 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
60 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Huck Boyd Foundation ($17,996), Phillipsburg City Library ($4,397), Zion Lutheran Church ($3,608).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| WARTBURG THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY DEBUQUE, IA | LUTHERAN CHARITY GRANT | $1,000 |
| OAKS INDIAN CENTER OAKS, OK | LUTHERAN CHARITY GRANT | $1,000 |
| PHILLIPSBURG CITY LIBRARY PHILLIPSBURG, KS | VISION CHARITY GRANT | $4,397 |
| PHILLIPS COUNTY MINISTERIAL ALLIANC PHILLIPSBURG, KS | FOOD PANTRY GRANT | $3,500 |
| HUCK BOYD FOUNDATION PHILLIPSBURG, KS | ARTS PROGRAM GRANT & LOCAL CHARITIES GRANT | $17,996 |
| EMANUEL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH STUTTGART, KS | LUTHERAN CHARITIES | $3,384 |
| 4-H FAIR PREMIUM FUND PHILLIPSBURG, KS | LOCAL CHARITY | $1,000 |
| PHILLIPSBURG CHRISTIAN CHURCH PHILLIPSBURG, KS | LOCAL MISSIONS GRANT | $2,996 |
| PHILLIPS COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATIO PHILLIPSBURG, KS | LOCAL CHARITY | $1,587 |
| LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE STUTTGART, KS | DISASTER RELIEF ASSISTANCE | $1,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRETT BIGGS | President | 0.5 | $1,070 |
| RANCE AMES | Secretary | 1 | $1,070 |
| JEFF WEISHAAR | Treasurer | 0.5 | — |
| PAULA SCHILOWSKY | ASST TREASURER | 0.5 | $1,070 |
| ROBERT L BENNIGHT | Director | 0.5 | $1,070 |
| JOHN GEORGE | Director | 0.5 | $1,070 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Esther and Carl Merklein?
The Esther and Carl Merklein is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in PHILLIPSBURG, KS. It holds $825K in total assets as of 2025.
How large is The Esther and Carl Merklein?
As of 2025, The Esther and Carl Merklein holds $825K in total assets with $43K in annual revenue. It awarded 13 grants totaling $44K in 2025.
Where does The Esther and Carl Merklein operate?
The Esther and Carl Merklein has awarded grants in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, Virginia.
What size grants does The Esther and Carl Merklein award?
In 2025, The Esther and Carl Merklein awarded 13 grants totaling $44K — an average of about $3K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Esther and Carl Merklein required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, The Esther and Carl Merklein reported a distributable amount of $51K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Esther and Carl Merklein's EIN?
The Esther and Carl Merklein's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-2291944. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Esther and Carl Merklein's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Robert J and Gloria Wilson
ELLIS, KS
Assets
$6.6M
Grants
1
Total Given
$204K
North Central Kansas Coordinated Transit Council Inc
MINNEAPOLIS, KS
Assets
$5K
Grants
7
Total Given
$3.6M
New Jersey Area Homesteading
OVERLAND PARK, KS
Assets
$353
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Anderson Family Foundation
WICHITA, KS
Assets
$689K
Grants
4
Total Given
$34K
Virginia H Farah Foundation
WICHITA, KS
Assets
$5K
Grants
3
Total Given
$207K
Atchison United Way Board
ATCHISON, KS
Assets
$696K
Grants
8
Total Given
$102K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
What could you do with The Esther and Carl Merklein on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching The Esther and Carl Merklein to a real strategy.