The Jess Merkle Foundation
The Jess Merkle Foundation is a private foundation, 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.
The Jess Merkle Foundation at a glance
In short: The Jess Merkle Foundation gave $395K across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $56K), mostly in Louisiana. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $395,000
- +1.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- -41.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $56,429
- +73.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $2,475,817
- -0.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Louisiana (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Jess Merkle Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Kings Highway Christian Church ($220K). Together the top 7 received $395K.
Grant Size Distribution
52 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 42 grants of 52 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
States
Cities
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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $280K (2021) to $400K (2023). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $395K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| 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 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,475,817 | $515,811 | $517,810 | $395,000 | 7 | $395,000 | $393,001 | $341,947 |
| 2024 | $2,477,816 | $517,162 | $506,295 | $390,095 | 12 | $390,095 | $400,962 | $312,100 |
| 2023 | $2,466,949 | $466,323 | $514,378 | $400,105 | 10 | $400,105 | $352,050 | $301,649 |
| 2022 | $2,515,004 | $480,795 | $517,841 | $386,270 | 13 | $386,270 | $349,224 | $342,807 |
| 2021 | $2,554,769 | $388,511 | $397,389 | $279,500 | 10 | — | $270,622 | $318,146 |
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.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Jess Merkle Foundation is led by Paul E. Merkle, Trustee on every filing since 2021 — the only officer listed, and compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Paul E. Merkle
Trustee
On filings since 2021
16 hrs/week
$50K (2021) → $50K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $50K, to Paul E Merkle (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about The Jess Merkle Foundation
How much does The Jess Merkle Foundation give each year?
The Jess Merkle Foundation gave $395K across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $390K across 12 grants.
What is The Jess Merkle Foundation's typical grant size?
The Jess Merkle Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $56,429, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Jess Merkle Foundation give grants?
The Jess Merkle Foundation gives mostly in Louisiana: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Shreveport, LA (6 grants).
Does The Jess Merkle Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on The Jess Merkle Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Jess Merkle Foundation's largest grantees?
The Jess Merkle Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Kings Highway Christian Church ($220,000), Salvation Army of Shreveport Bossier City ($115,000) and Christian Service Institue ($20,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 90% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Jess Merkle Foundation?
The Jess Merkle Foundation reported $2.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $395K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $342K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
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.
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 2021–2025
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