The Mericos Foundation
The Mericos Foundation is a private foundation based in Pasadena, California. Its 2024 filing reports 100 grants totaling $3,098,250 to charitable organizations, including organizations working in youth development, mental health, food access, homelessness services, outdoor education, and ocean conservation.
The Mericos Foundation at a glance
In short: The Mericos Foundation gave $3.1M across 100 grants in 2024 (avg $31K), mostly in California. 40% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,098,250
- -8.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 100
- +20.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $30,983
- -24.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $18,500
- Total assets
- $56,321,023
- +11.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (38 of 96, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (61% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Mericos Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 177 E Colorado Boulevard Suite 80, Pasadena, CA 91105
Phone: (626) 441-5188
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Mericos Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Garrett's Space ($230K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.2M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($35,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
461 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 358 grants of 461 (78%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 61% of grant dollars went to recipients in California, 9% to Michigan, 5% each to Missouri and Illinois, and 4% to North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 100 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Mericos Foundation open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 38 of 96 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $40K. How we count
Medians: $14K first-time, $23K repeat.
- 53% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 36% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 127% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.8M (2020) to $3.4M (2023). In 2024 it made 100 grants totaling $3.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County Santa Barbara, CA | Camp Whittier Electrical Upgrades | $135,000 |
| Garrett's Space Ann Arbor, MI | General Operating Support | $130,000 |
| Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens Goleta, CA | The center for urban agriculture at fairview gardens re-design/re-build - challenge grant | $100,000 |
| Foodbank of Santa Barbara County Goleta, CA | Nutritional Equity Through Education | $100,000 |
| Garrett's Space Ann Arbor, MI | Build Garrett's Space: Bringing Hope to Life | $100,000 |
| Moxi the Wolf Museum of Exploration Innovation Santa Barbara, CA | General Operating Support for Accessibility Programs | $100,000 |
| New Village Girls Academy Los Angeles, CA | General Operating Support | $100,000 |
| Union Rescue Mission Los Angeles, CA | Hope gardens family center - children & youth programs | $100,000 |
| Greater Horizons Kansas City, MO | Charitable Purposes | $85,000 |
| Greater Horizons Kansas City, MO | Charitable Purposes | $85,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $56,321,023 | $896,407 | $3,782,676 | $3,098,250 | 100 | $3,463,284 | $1,388,201 | $2,737,706 |
| 2023 | $50,562,944 | $627,204 | $3,366,151 | $3,389,750 | 83 | $3,710,896 | $2,940,158 | $2,474,282 |
| 2022 | $44,732,372 | $729,442 | $4,061,798 | $2,998,500 | 107 | $3,303,701 | $875,394 | $2,194,631 |
| 2021 | $58,076,767 | $891,679 | $2,834,912 | $2,275,000 | 91 | $2,614,217 | $2,572,464 | $2,859,014 |
| 2020 | $50,188,747 | $823,673 | $2,253,146 | $1,784,613 | 80 | — | $1,209,592 | $2,551,434 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Mericos Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants include support for a range of charitable organizations. Garrett’s Space describes its work as supporting young adults facing mental health challenges; the Foodbank of an individual recipient County describes its mission as ending hunger and improving community health; and Union Rescue Mission describes providing emergency and long-term services to people experiencing homelessness. Other 2024 grantees include Outward Bound Adventures, which describes its work as nature-based outdoor education, and Heal the Ocean, which focuses on reducing ocean pollution and improving ocean and coastal health.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 100 grants totaling $3,098,250. Grants ranged from $2,500 to $135,000, with a median of $18,500. Notable grants included $135,000 to United Boys & Girls Clubs of an individual recipient County for Camp Whittier electrical upgrades; $130,000 to Garrett’s Space for general operating support; and $100,000 each to the Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens for a redesign and rebuild challenge grant, the Foodbank of an individual recipient County for nutritional equity through education, and Union Rescue Mission for children and youth programs.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Donna Coffin as president; Pegine Grayson as secretary/executive director; and David Dahl as chief financial officer. Directors listed are Arlo G Sorensen, Linda J Blinkenberg, Michael J Casey, Joanie Solaini, Brian Whittier, Donald Whittier, and Dominique Blokker. Donald Whittier and Dominique Blokker are listed as beginning their director roles on January 1, 2024.
The Mericos Foundation is led by Donna Coffin, President since 2024 (on filings since 2022); none of the 13 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Donna Coffin
President
Vice President & Director → President, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pegine Grayson
Secretary & Executive Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Arlo G. Sorensen
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dominique Blokker
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linda J. Blinkenberg
Director
Vice President & Director → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael J. Casey
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Whittier
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joanie Solaini
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amelia Babcock
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Donald Whittier
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Emily Dalquist
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Margaret Whittier-Ferguson
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Dahl
Chief Financial Officer
CFO & Director → Chief Financial Officer, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (12)
- Former: Donja Blokker-Dalquist (2022–2023) — President
- Former: Jeff Blokker (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Amelie Draper (2023) — Director
- Former: Chase Blokker (2023) — Director
- Former: Henry Whittier-Ferguson (2023) — Director
- Former: Gale Whittier-Ferguson (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Katherine Solani (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Alex Blokker (2022) — Director
- Former: Eric Whittier (2022) — Director
- Former: Stephen Coffin (2022) — Director
- Former: Joanne W. Blokker (2020–2021) — President & Director
- Former: Julie Lytle Nesbit (2020–2021) — Secretary & 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 Mericos Foundation
How much does The Mericos Foundation give each year?
The Mericos Foundation gave $3.1M across 100 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.4M across 83 grants.
What is The Mericos Foundation's typical grant size?
The Mericos Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $18,500, and its average grant was $30,983, across 100 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Mericos Foundation that year got $20K on average.
Where does The Mericos Foundation give grants?
The Mericos Foundation gives mostly in California: 61% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Michigan (9%) and Missouri (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (10 grants), Santa Barbara, CA (8 grants), Pasadena, CA (5 grants) and Asheville, NC (4 grants).
Does The Mericos Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 54% of The Mericos Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (54 of 100) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Hurricane Helene Relief" (3 grants).
Who are The Mericos Foundation's largest grantees?
The Mericos Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Garrett's Space ($230,000 across 2 grants), Greater Horizons ($170,000 across 2 grants) and United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County ($135,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($35,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Mericos Foundation?
The Mericos Foundation reported $56.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Mericos Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants include support for a range of charitable organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Mericos 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 Mericos Foundation's EIN?
The Mericos Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-3500491. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Mericos 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.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Mericos Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Mericos Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-mericos-foundation-morg_0aa8fcaaa0364ca2a00bb6a2b8ba3fc1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_953500491_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Mericos Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-mericos-foundation-morg_0aa8fcaaa0364ca2a00bb6a2b8ba3fc1},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Mericos Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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