The Lisa and Brian Meer Foundation
The Lisa and Brian Meer Foundation is a private foundation based in West Bloomfield, Michigan. It makes grants to charitable organizations, with 99% of its 2024 grant dollars going to recipients in Michigan.
Key facts about The Lisa and Brian Meer Foundation
In short: The Lisa and Brian Meer Foundation gave $334K across 37 grants in 2024 (avg $9K), mostly in Michigan. 22% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 38-3605133
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $333,705
- Grants made (2024)
- 37
- Average grant
- $9,019
- Median grant
- $1,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (8 of 37, 2024)
- Total assets
- $7,305,247
- Primary geography
- Michigan (99% 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 October 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
$7.3M
+0.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$334K
-1.8% YoY
Grant Count
37
+8.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$9K
-9.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Lisa and Brian Meer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $431K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is The Lisa and Brian Meer Foundation open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 37 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $506; repeat grants $11K. How we count
Medians: $325 first-time, $1K repeat.
- 62% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 770% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 81% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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
The foundation’s own mission is not stated in the available information. Its 2024 grantees describe a range of activities: the Detroit Symphony Orchestra says it brings people unforgettable musical experiences through a world-class orchestra; Gesher Human Services describes work in workforce development, behavioral health, and inclusion; and Oakland Family Services says it provides treatment, education, and prevention services.
Other supported organizations also describe community, education, and social-service work. For example, the Village Club Foundation says it advances educational, cultural, and civic activities, while JARC says it supports people with disabilities through relationships and community engagement.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 37 grants totaling $333,705. Awards ranged from $100 to $250,000, with a median grant of $1,000. The largest grant was $250,000 to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Other notable grants included $14,000 to Gesher Human Services, $10,100 to Friendship Circle of Michigan, and $10,000 each to the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and Yad Ezra.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Michigan recipients received 99% of the foundation’s 2024 grant dollars. The listed shares for recipients in Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland were each 0%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 37 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $38K (2021) to $451K (2022). In 2024 it made 37 grants totaling $334K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Detroit Symphony Orchestra ($250K). Together the top 10 received $314K.
Grant Size Distribution
170 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 166 grants of 170 (98%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Symphony Orchestra Detroit, MI | General Use | $250,000 |
| Gesher Human Services Southfield, MI | General Use | $14,000 |
| Friendship Circle of Michigan West Bloomfield, MI | General Use | $10,100 |
| Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit Bloomfield Hills, MI | General Use | $10,000 |
| Yad Esra Berkley, MI | General Use | $10,000 |
| Oakland Family Services Pontiac, MI | General Use | $5,000 |
| Oakland University Rochester, MI | General Use | $5,000 |
| The Village Club Foundation Bloomfield Hills, MI | General Use | $3,800 |
| Cranbrook Collections & Research Detroit, MI | General Use | $3,500 |
| Karmanos Cancer Institute Detroit, MI | General Use | $2,640 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Grant total | Number of grants |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $333,705 | 37 |
| 2023 | $339,766 | 34 |
| 2022 | $450,553 | 36 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,305,247 | $7,303,964 | $7,537,669 |
| Revenue | $399,311 | $147,002 | $181,511 |
| Expenses | $398,028 | $380,707 | $496,501 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $347,446 | $339,766 | $450,553 |
| Net Investment Income | $368,014 | $126,895 | $155,257 |
| Distributable Amount | $431,081 | $372,258 | $375,822 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 5, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 27, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Brian Meer as president and treasurer and Lisa Meer as secretary.
The Lisa and Brian Meer Foundation is led by Brian Meer, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Brian Meer
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Meer
Secretary
On filings since 2020
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.
Contact
Mailing address: Co Brian Meer 3020 Middlebelt Roa, West Bloomfield, MI 48323-1932
Phone: (248) 683-0001
Frequently asked questions about The Lisa and Brian Meer Foundation
How much does The Lisa and Brian Meer Foundation give each year?
The Lisa and Brian Meer Foundation gave $334K across 37 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $340K across 34 grants.
What is The Lisa and Brian Meer Foundation's typical grant size?
The Lisa and Brian Meer Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,000, and its average grant was $9,019, across 37 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Lisa and Brian Meer Foundation that year got $506 on average.
Where does The Lisa and Brian Meer Foundation give grants?
The Lisa and Brian Meer Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Detroit, MI (10 grants), Southfield, MI (6 grants), Bloomfield Hills, MI (6 grants) and West Bloomfield, MI (2 grants).
Does The Lisa and Brian Meer Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Lisa and Brian Meer Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (37 of 37) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Lisa and Brian Meer Foundation's largest grantees?
The Lisa and Brian Meer Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Detroit Symphony Orchestra ($250,000), Gesher Human Services ($14,000) and Friendship Circle of Michigan ($10,100), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 82% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Lisa and Brian Meer Foundation?
The Lisa and Brian Meer Foundation reported $7.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $347K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $431K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Lisa and Brian Meer Foundation fund?
The foundation’s own mission is not stated in the available information. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Lisa and Brian Meer 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 Lisa and Brian Meer Foundation's EIN?
The Lisa and Brian Meer Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3605133. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Lisa and Brian Meer Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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