The Meridian Foundation Inc
The Meridian Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Savannah, Georgia. In 2024, it gave $59,837 in grants to charitable organizations, including schools, community organizations, and other nonprofits.
The Meridian Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Meridian Foundation Inc gave $60K across 11 grants in 2024 (avg $5K), mostly in Georgia. 45% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $59,837
- +6.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- -38.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $5,440
- +74.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $700
- Total assets
- $355,438
- +56.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 45% first-time grantees (5 of 11, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Georgia (89% 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 Meridian Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 3713 Bull Street, Savannah, GA 31405
Phone: (877) 201-7215
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Meridian Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Savannah Country Day School ($38K). Together the top 10 received $60K.
Grant Size Distribution
73 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 71 grants of 73 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 89% of grant dollars went to recipients in Georgia and 10% to recipients in Wisconsin. The listed grants also included recipients in Maryland, Texas, South Carolina, and Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Meridian Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
45%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 5 of 11 grantees (45%) were first-time recipients. With only 11 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 9 points. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $7K. How we count
Medians: $700 first-time, $750 repeat.
- 36% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 24% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 444% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2024). 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 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $56K (2023) to $125K (2020). In 2024 it made 11 grants totaling $60K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Savannah Country Day School Savannah, GA | General Support | $37,500 |
| Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber Fnd Brunswick, GA | General Support | $10,000 |
| Team USA FPA Eagle River, WI | General Support | $6,000 |
| Chatham Transitional Ministries Savannah, GA | General Support | $3,214 |
| Se Bulloch High School Brooklet, GA | General Support | $1,300 |
| Loop It up Savannah Savannah, GA | General Support | $700 |
| The Savannah Children's Theatre Savannah, GA | General Support | $500 |
| Amvets Lanham, MD | General Support | $200 |
| Children's Circus Project Richardson, TX | General Support | $200 |
| The Wes Foundation Conway, SC | General Support | $181 |
Ready to take the next step with The Meridian Foundation Inc?
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 | $355,438 | $202,805 | $75,010 | $59,837 | 11 | $59,837 | $18,242 | $13,466 |
| 2023 | $227,643 | $71,000 | $71,192 | $56,259 | 18 | $56,259 | — | $9,821 |
| 2022 | $227,835 | $324,649 | $118,203 | $104,028 | 19 | $104,028 | — | $9,281 |
| 2021 | $21,389 | $82,976 | $93,879 | $79,094 | 13 | $79,094 | — | $2,029 |
| 2020 | $32,292 | $93,426 | $137,384 | $125,247 | 12 | — | — | $2,673 |
| 2019 | $76,250 | $139,938 | $108,415 | $94,266 | 24 | — | — | $2,372 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Meridian Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $13K 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
The foundation does not state a separate mission in the provided information. Its 2024 filing describes its activity as giving grants to charitable organizations based on need and merit.
Among its 2024 grantees, Savannah Country Day School described its mission as preparing students to meet the challenges of college and life. Chatham Transitional Ministries described a program for people who have completed drug or alcohol rehabilitation, offering support with employment and housing. Loop It Up Savannah described its mission as providing programs that foster creativity, joy, possibility, and learning for children. The WES Foundation described its work as serving young people in the Horry County community.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 11 grants totaling $59,837. Grant amounts ranged from $42 to $37,500, with a median grant of $700. Its largest grants were $37,500 to Savannah Country Day School, $10,000 to the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber Foundation, $6,000 to Team USA FPA, and $3,214 to Chatham Transitional Ministries. All listed grants were for general support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists William J Black as president, Michael Torrance as secretary, and Jerry Black as treasurer.
The Meridian Foundation Inc is led by William J. Black, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
William J. Black
President
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jerry Black
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Torrance
Secretary
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 Meridian Foundation Inc
How much does The Meridian Foundation Inc give each year?
The Meridian Foundation Inc gave $60K across 11 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $56K across 18 grants.
What is The Meridian Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Meridian Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $700, and its average grant was $5,440, across 11 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Meridian Foundation Inc that year got $3K on average.
Where does The Meridian Foundation Inc give grants?
The Meridian Foundation Inc gives mostly in Georgia: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Wisconsin (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Savannah, GA (4 grants).
Does The Meridian Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Meridian Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (11 of 11) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Meridian Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Meridian Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Savannah Country Day School ($37,500), Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber Fnd ($10,000) and Team USA FPA ($6,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 89% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Meridian Foundation Inc?
The Meridian Foundation Inc reported $355K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $60K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $13K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Meridian Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation does not state a separate mission in the provided information. Its 2024 filing describes its activity as giving grants to charitable organizations based on need and merit. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Meridian Foundation Inc?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Meridian Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Meridian Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-3321239. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Does The Meridian Foundation Inc 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
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 19, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 25, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 25, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 19, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Live grants for the work The Meridian Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Meridian Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Colonial Foundation Inc
Savannah, GA
Colonial Foundation Inc funds arts and culture, education, environmental conservation, safety-net services, and upward mobility, primarily in Savannah and elsewhere in Georgia. In 2024 it made 64 grants, with a median award of $5,000 and amounts ranging from $250 to $400,000. It does not limit giving to preselected organizations; application materials listed are a letter and proof of 501(c)(3) status.
Assets
$13.8M
Grants
64
Total Given
$2.0M
The Savannah Community Foundation Inc
Savannah, GA
The Savannah Community Foundation supports public charities across civic, education, health and human services, and other charitable fields, with grants guided by donor recommendations and its board; it can fund organizations anywhere in the U.S., though most 2025 grant dollars went to Georgia. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,050 to $534,363, with a median of $19,450; its Immediate Needs Fund typically awards less than $1,500 and normally no more than $5,000 per grant. It accepts requests for that fund by email, fax, or mail.
Assets
$103.6M
Grants
109
Total Given
$5.8M
Southern States Educational
Savannah, GA
Southern States Educational supports community improvement, financial literacy education, and assistance for families of burn patients, with reported 2023 grants ranging from $600 to $65,000 and totaling $94,450. Its listed grantees are in Georgia, including Savannah, Atlanta, and Augusta. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$43K
Grants
11
Total Given
$94K
IBM International Foundation
Armonk, NY
The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
Mary Lane Morrison Foundation Inc
Savannah, GA
The foundation supports charitable organizations, including schools, history and cultural groups, and programs for children and youth, primarily in Georgia. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $27,500, with a median of $2,500. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.1M
Grants
20
Total Given
$128K
More similar funders
More Funders in Georgia
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Meridian Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-meridian-foundation-inc-morg_7320ef0409144f8491ff6e0348bf382f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_453321239_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Meridian Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-meridian-foundation-inc-morg_7320ef0409144f8491ff6e0348bf382f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 Meridian Foundation Inc'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.
The Meridian Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?