The Merage Institute
The Merage Institute is a private foundation, based in Newport Beach, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $7.6M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $1.2M. Net investment income was $214K.
The Merage Institute at a glance
In short: The Merage Institute gave $1.2M across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $1.2M), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,180,000
- +594.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- -66.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,180,000
- +1982.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,180,000
- Total assets
- $7,550,971
- -26.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Merage Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Orange County Community Foundation ($1.2M).
Grant Size Distribution
11 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 11 (36%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How The Merage Institute gives
- Giving fell 46% from 2021 to 2024. 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $170K (2023) to $2.2M (2021). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Orange County Community Foundation Irvine, CA | General Operating | $1,180,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7,550,971 | $2,424,619 | $2,461,092 | $1,180,000 | 1 | $2,431,615 | $213,760 |
| 2023 | $10,276,243 | $2,752,297 | $2,419,836 | $170,029 | 3 | $2,335,755 | $330,650 |
| 2022 | $5,407,098 | $2,875,269 | $3,141,634 | $335,000 | 1 | $3,443,761 | — |
| 2021 | $4,546,373 | $3,067,534 | $3,391,547 | $2,190,000 | 2 | $3,152,738 | $350,482 |
| 2020 | $4,732,605 | $3,096,429 | $2,015,033 | $585,486 | 4 | — | $54,918 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Merage Institute is led by Michelle Merage, President & Director on every filing since 2022; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michelle Merage
President & Director
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Elisabeth Merage
Secretary, Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Lauren Merage
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Paul Merage
Director
President & Director → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Richard Merage
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Michelle Janavs (2020–2021) — Director
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Merage Institute
How much does The Merage Institute give each year?
The Merage Institute gave $1.2M across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $170K across 3 grants.
How large is The Merage Institute?
The Merage Institute reported $7.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $2.4M.
Where does The Merage Institute operate?
The Merage Institute has awarded grants in California, Minnesota, New York.
What is The Merage Institute's EIN?
The Merage Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 68-0529693. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Merage Institute funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Merage Institute's focus areas in our free grants database
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