The Jess Merkle Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker Shreveport, LA EIN: 72-1336331

The Jess Merkle Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Shreveport, LA. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $2.5M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 7 grants totaling $395K. Net investment income was $393K.

Key facts about The Jess Merkle Foundation

EIN: 72-1336331
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2025
Annual giving (2025): $395,000
Grants made (2025): 7
Average grant: $56,429
Median grant: $10,000
Total assets: $2,475,817
Primary geography: Louisiana (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.

Who The Jess Merkle Foundation funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Jess Merkle Foundation's 7 itemized 2025 grants were Louisiana (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Shreveport, LA (6 grants). None of its 7 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support.

How The Jess Merkle Foundation gives

Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+2%). Method
In 2025 it paid out 116% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

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

Next steps with The Jess Merkle Foundation

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Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$2.5M

-0.1% YoY

Annual Giving

$395K

+1.3% YoY

Grant Count

-41.7% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$56K

+73.6% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Jess Merkle Foundation reported a distributable amount of $342K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

About The Jess Merkle 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

Louisiana $395K (100%)

Share of all 7 itemized 2025 grant dollars.

States

Louisiana

Cities

ShreveportRuston

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2025	2024	2023
Total Assets	$2,475,817	$2,477,816	$2,466,949
Revenue	$515,811	$517,162	$466,323
Expenses	$517,810	$506,295	$514,378
Qualifying Distributions	$395,000	$390,095	$400,105
Net Investment Income	$393,001	$400,962	$352,050
Distributable Amount	$341,947	$312,100	$301,649

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

March 2, 2026 IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 7 recipients in 2025

Grant Size Distribution

52 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include Kings Highway Christian Church ($220,000), Salvation Army of Shreveport Bossier City ($115,000), Christian Service Institue ($20,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
KINGS HIGHWAY CHRISTIAN CHURCH Shreveport, LA	TO RESTORE THE CHURCH TO ITS ORIGNIAL STATE BEFORE THE FIRE, SMOKE & WATER DAMAGE	$220,000
SALVATION ARMY OF SHREVEPORT BOSSIER CITY Shreveport, LA	TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY SHELTER AND TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR SINGLE WOMAN/MEN, WOMEN WITH CHILDREN AND VETERANS	$115,000
CHRISTIAN SERVICE INSTITUE Shreveport, LA	TO SERVE THOSE IN NEED WITH FOOD, CLOTHING, AND OTHER RESOURCES	$20,000
COMMUNITY RENEWAL INTERNATIONAL Shreveport, LA	TO CONNECT NEIGHBORS AND RESIDENTS TO RESTORE THE FOUNDATION OF SAFE AND CARING COMMUNITIES	$10,000
HELPING OTHERS HALFWAY HOUSE Shreveport, LA	TO SERVE THOSE IN NEED WITH FOOD, CLOTHING, AND OTHER RESOURCES	$10,000
HIGHLAND CLUB Shreveport, LA	TO EDUCATE,COUNSEL AND TREAT PERSONS OF ALL AGES WHO SUFFER FROM ALCOHOLISM	$10,000
LOUISIANA UNITED METHODIST CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES Ruston, LA	CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION TO CHURCH	$10,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
Paul E Merkle	Trustee	16	$50,000

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Jess Merkle Foundation?

The Jess Merkle Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Shreveport, LA. It holds $2.5M in total assets as of 2025.

How large is The Jess Merkle Foundation?

As of 2025, The Jess Merkle Foundation holds $2.5M in total assets with $516K in annual revenue. It awarded 7 grants totaling $395K in 2025.

Where does The Jess Merkle Foundation operate?

The Jess Merkle Foundation has awarded grants in Louisiana.

What size grants does The Jess Merkle Foundation award?

In 2025, The Jess Merkle Foundation awarded 7 grants totaling $395K — an average of about $56K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is The Jess Merkle Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, The Jess Merkle Foundation reported a distributable amount of $342K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.