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.
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
7
-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
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.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| 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 |
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 include Kings Highway Christian Church ($220,000), Salvation Army of Shreveport Bossier City ($115,000), Christian Service Institue ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| KINGS HIGHWAY CHRISTIAN CHURCH SHREVEPORT, LA | TO RESTORE THE CHURCH TO ITS ORIGNIAL STATE BEFORE THE FIRE, SMOKE & WATER DAMAGE | $220,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAUL E MERKLE | TRUSTEE | 16 | $50,000 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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.
What is The Jess Merkle Foundation's EIN?
The Jess Merkle Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 72-1336331. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Jess Merkle Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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