The Melanie Foundation
The Melanie Foundation is a private foundation, based in Wilmington, DE. IRS filing data is available from 2022 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $2.9M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 6 grants totaling $110K. Net investment income was $140K.
The Melanie Foundation at a glance
In short: The Melanie Foundation gave $110K across 6 grants in 2025 (avg $18K), top state Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $109,900
- +256.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 6
- +50.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $18,317
- +137.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $12,450
- Total assets
- $2,895,091
- +15.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (45% 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 Melanie Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Angelman Syndrome Foundation Inc ($50K). Together the top 6 received $110K.
Grant Size Distribution
12 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 11 grants of 12 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Melanie Foundation gives
- In 2025 it paid out 97% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $9K (2023) to $110K (2025). In 2025 it made 6 grants totaling $110K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Angelman Syndrome Foundation Inc Aurora, IL | To support ASF's mission of advancing research, clinical initiatives, and direct services for individuals and families affected by Angelman syndrome | $50,000 |
| Unthsc Foundation Fort Worth, TX | Osteopathic Medicine Scholarship Fund | $25,000 |
| The Peach Foundation Foster City, CA | for the list of children-tuition Scholarship Fund | $14,900 |
| Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics Austin, TX | To support FAST's mission of advancing research and clinical initiatives aimed at developing effective treatments and a cure for Angelman syndrome | $10,000 |
| Medecins Sans Frontieres USA Inc Hagerstown, MD | To support humanitarian medical work providing independent, impartial emergency care to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, and lack of access to healthcare worldwide | $5,000 |
| YEH Associates Foundation Inc Winter Park, FL | General & Unrestricted | $5,000 |
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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 | $2,895,091 | $527,222 | $133,957 | $109,900 | 6 | $125,668 | $139,646 | $129,140 |
| 2024 | $2,501,826 | $319,266 | $49,525 | $30,850 | 4 | $48,315 | $319,256 | $119,569 |
| 2023 | $2,232,085 | $1,035,402 | $16,819 | $9,325 | 2 | $16,629 | $35,212 | $68,206 |
| 2022 | $1,213,502 | $1,220,002 | $6,500 | — | — | $6,500 | $2 | $2,243 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Melanie Foundation reported a distributable amount of $129K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Melanie Foundation is led by Rick Lin, Director, President, Secretary & Treasurer on every filing since 2022 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Rick Lin
Director, President, Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Melanie Foundation
How much does The Melanie Foundation give each year?
The Melanie Foundation gave $110K across 6 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $31K across 4 grants.
What is The Melanie Foundation's typical grant size?
The Melanie Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $12,450, and its average grant was $18,317, across 6 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Melanie Foundation give grants?
The Melanie Foundation's top state is Illinois, with 45% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Texas (32%) and California (14%).
Does The Melanie Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 17% of The Melanie Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Melanie Foundation's largest grantees?
The Melanie Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Angelman Syndrome Foundation Inc ($50,000), Unthsc Foundation ($25,000) and The Peach Foundation ($14,900), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 82% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Melanie Foundation?
The Melanie Foundation reported $2.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $126K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $129K (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 is The Melanie Foundation's EIN?
The Melanie Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 88-3770310. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 24, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2024
Live grants for the work The Melanie Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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