The Merage Institute

Private foundation · Grantmaker Newport Beach, CA EIN: 68-0529693

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.

Key facts about The Merage Institute

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.

EIN
68-0529693
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$1,180,000
Grants made (2024)
1
Average grant
$1,180,000
Median grant
$1,180,000
Total assets
$7,550,971
Primary geography
California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$7.6M

-26.5% YoY

Annual Giving

$1.2M

+594.0% YoY

Grant Count

1

-66.7% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$1.2M

+1982.0% YoY

How The Merage Institute gives

  • Giving fell 46% from 2021 to 2024. Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

3states

Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.

Cities

IrvineRochesterLaguna BeachNew YorkNewport Beach

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$1M$2M$3M4 grants2020 2 grants2021 1 grant2022 3 grants2023 1 grant2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $170K (2023) to $2.2M (2021). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $1.2M.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top recipient in 2024

Orange County Community Foundation: $1.2MOrange County CommunityFoundation$1.2M

The largest 2024 recipient was Orange County Community Foundation ($1.2M).

Grant Size Distribution

11 grants across all recorded years

4<$50K$50–100K3$100–250K2$250–500K$500K–1M2$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 11 (36%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Orange County Community Foundation Irvine, CAGeneral Operating$1,180,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$1M$2M$3M$4M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$7,550,971$10,276,243$5,407,098
Revenue$2,424,619$2,752,297$2,875,269
Expenses$2,461,092$2,419,836$3,141,634
Qualifying Distributions$2,431,615$2,335,755$3,443,761
Net Investment Income$213,760$330,650—

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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.

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