The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation
The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation is a private foundation, based in Pittsburgh, PA. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.6M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 7 grants totaling $134K. Net investment income was $105K.
The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation at a glance
In short: The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation gave $134K across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $19K), mostly in Pennsylvania. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $134,343
- +10.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $19,192
- +10.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,434
- Total assets
- $1,586,389
- -2.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (92% 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 Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Duquesne University ($107K). Together the top 7 received $134K.
Grant Size Distribution
39 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 37 grants of 39 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+5%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 94% 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $115K (2021) to $135K (2023). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $134K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA | General Support | $106,869 |
| Fox Chapel Presb Church Pittsburgh, PA | General Support | $6,869 |
| Warren Wilson College Swannanoa, NC | General Support | $6,869 |
| Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Pittsburgh, PA | General Support | $3,434 |
| Shady Side Academy Pittsburgh, PA | General Support | $3,434 |
| University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA | General Support | $3,434 |
| First Presbyterian Church Naples, FL | General Support | $3,434 |
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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 | $1,586,389 | $130,071 | $165,829 | $134,343 | 7 | $140,463 | $105,097 | $150,035 |
| 2024 | $1,621,565 | $81,858 | $151,835 | $122,023 | 7 | $127,731 | $57,201 | $136,474 |
| 2023 | $1,692,213 | $114,395 | $165,874 | $135,440 | 11 | $140,797 | $92,555 | $127,918 |
| 2022 | $1,745,039 | $240,271 | $163,167 | $127,927 | 10 | $134,025 | $215,629 | $143,061 |
| 2021 | $1,668,109 | $212,606 | $143,771 | $115,000 | 4 | — | $188,136 | $132,452 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation reported a distributable amount of $150K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation's only listed officer is PNC Bank N A, Trustee on every filing since 2021 (compensated).
Officers on the 2025 filing
PNC Bank N A
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$28K (2021) → $31K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $31K, to PNC Bank N a (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation
How much does The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation give each year?
The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation gave $134K across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $122K across 7 grants.
What is The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation's typical grant size?
The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $3,434, and its average grant was $19,192, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation give grants?
The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was North Carolina (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Pittsburgh, PA (5 grants).
Does The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (7 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation's largest grantees?
The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Duquesne University ($106,869), Fox Chapel Presb Church ($6,869) and Warren Wilson College ($6,869), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 90% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation?
The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation reported $1.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $140K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $150K (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 Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation's EIN?
The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-6755561. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
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 2021–2025
Live grants for the work The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation 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 Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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