The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker Pittsburgh, PA EIN: 25-6755561

The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, 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.

Key facts about The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation

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.

EIN
25-6755561
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$134,343
Grants made (2025)
7
Average grant
$19,192
Median grant
$3,434
Total assets
$1,586,389
Primary geography
Pennsylvania (92% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$1.6M

-2.2% YoY

Annual Giving

$134K

+10.1% YoY

Grant Count

7

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$19K

+10.1% YoY

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.

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.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

3states

Share of all 7 itemized 2025 grant dollars.

Cities

PittsburghNaplesPitcairnSwannanoaDuquesneAshevilleMocksville

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$50K$100K$150K4 grants202110 grants202211 grants20237 grants20247 grants2025

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 7 recipients in 2025

Duquesne University: $107KDuquesne University$107KFox Chapel Presb Church: $7KFox Chapel Presb Church$7KWarren Wilson College: $7KWarren Wilson College$7KPittsburgh Theological Seminary: $3KPittsburgh TheologicalSeminary$3KShady Side Academy: $3KShady Side Academy$3KUniversity of Pittsburgh: $3KUniversity of Pittsburgh$3KFirst Presbyterian Church: $3KFirst Presbyterian Church$3K

Grant Size Distribution

39 grants across all recorded years

37<$50K1$50–100K1$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY Pittsburgh, PAGENERAL SUPPORT$106,869
FOX CHAPEL PRESB CHURCH Pittsburgh, PAGENERAL SUPPORT$6,869
WARREN WILSON COLLEGE Swannanoa, NCGENERAL SUPPORT$6,869
PITTSBURGH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Pittsburgh, PAGENERAL SUPPORT$3,434
SHADY SIDE ACADEMY Pittsburgh, PAGENERAL SUPPORT$3,434
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH Pittsburgh, PAGENERAL SUPPORT$3,434
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Naples, FLGENERAL SUPPORT$3,434

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$100K$200K$300K20212022202320242025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$1,586,389$1,621,565$1,692,213
Revenue$130,071$81,858$114,395
Expenses$165,829$151,835$165,874
Qualifying Distributions$140,463$127,731$140,797
Net Investment Income$105,097$57,201$92,555
Distributable Amount$150,035$136,474$127,918

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025

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

PNC Bank N a — Trustee: $31KPNC Bank N aTrustee$31K

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).

What is The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation?

The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Pittsburgh, PA. It holds $1.6M in total assets as of 2025.

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.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Pittsburgh, PA

The Pittsburgh Foundation funds basic needs, racial equity and social justice, environmental action, arts and culture, and economic mobility, primarily for organizations located in or serving Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Its 2024 grants had a median of $18,576, though awards varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.5B

Grants

1,132

Total Given

$64.0M

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Princeton, NJ

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funds work to improve health and health equity in the United States, including health policy, community health, prevention, and social justice. In 2024, its grants ranged from $125 to $12.15 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to recipients across multiple states. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$13.4B

Grants

3,093

Total Given

$622.6M

Richard King Mellon Foundation

Ligonier, PA

The Richard King Mellon Foundation funds conservation and environmental restoration, Southwestern Pennsylvania economic development and mobility, health and well-being, and organizational effectiveness, with most giving focused on Pennsylvania and some environmental grants elsewhere. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,000 to $10 million, with a median of $220,000. It accepts applications through its General Application for proposals aligned with its strategic plan; Economic Mobility applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$2.7B

Grants

296

Total Given

$116.7M

Baird Foundation Inc

Milwaukee, WI

The foundation supports nonprofits in health and human services, education, the arts, youth, and other areas, with the largest share of recent grants going to Wisconsin. Its 2025 grants had a median of $500, though amounts ranged from $10 to $561,411. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$142.7M

Grants

3,862

Total Given

$7.0M

Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA

The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh funds social and human services, Jewish education, and community programs, including young-adult engagement, youth leadership, Israel and overseas projects, and initiatives strengthening Jewish Pittsburgh. Its 2025 median grant was $15,250, with opportunities focused on Pittsburgh and some supporting Israel and overseas work; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.

Assets

$387.7M

Grants

229

Total Given

$24.8M

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

The Cigna Group Foundation

Philadelphia, PA

The Cigna Group Foundation funds nonprofits advancing health and vitality, with priorities including youth and veteran mental health, health equity, and disaster relief. Current program awards range from $100,000–$150,000 for veteran mental health to up to $250,000 for health equity; its work includes selected U.S. cities such as Hartford, St. Louis, and Houston, as well as local, national, and international efforts. The information provided does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$127.2M

Grants

4,075

Total Given

$14.1M

Chubb Charitable Foundation

Philadelphia, PA

The Chubb Charitable Foundation supports youth development through education, mentorship, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and community programs, as well as organizations working in areas such as humanitarian aid, health, and disability services. Its 2024 grants ranged from $50 to $1 million, with a median of $200; funding was concentrated in New York, Washington, D.C., New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The foundation directs applicants to its proposal guidelines and states that it does not limit giving to preselected organizations.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$74.9M

Grants

3,719

Total Given

$6.3M

Lincoln Financial Foundation Inc

Radnor, PA

Lincoln Financial Foundation funds nonprofits focused on financial wellness and workforce development, youth education, and human services such as housing, homelessness, and food insecurity, with an emphasis on measurable outcomes. Its 2025 grants ranged from $3 to $250,000, with a median of $100, and it supports eligible organizations serving listed communities where Lincoln Financial has a significant presence, including Philadelphia, Atlanta, Boston, and Omaha. It does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$5.8M

Grants

3,159

Total Given

$8.8M

The William Penn Foundation

Philadelphia, PA

The William Penn Foundation funds arts and culture, children and families, civic engagement, the environment and public spaces, and workforce training across the Philadelphia region. Its 2024 grants ranged from $45 to $7.78 million, with a median of $50,000. It accepts unsolicited requests through a limited open-application process, though it recommends applying through a relevant RFP when available.

Assets

$3.4B

Grants

1,027

Total Given

$148.8M

Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation

Coraopolis, PA

The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation primarily funds youth sports programs that reduce barriers to participation, with additional support for public lands and outdoor access. Its 2025 grants had a median of $5,000, though awards ranged from $626 to $2.5 million, and its Sports Matter program supports eligible organizations across the U.S. Sports Matter opportunities are by invitation only.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$34.5M

Grants

964

Total Given

$18.0M

Hillman Family Foundations

Pittsburgh, PA

The 18 independently operated Hillman foundations fund varied projects—including arts, health, education, workforce development, and community development—with priorities and geographic reach that differ by foundation. In 2024, grants ranged from $75 to $5 million, with a median award of $20,000. The stated application process begins with a brief letter of intent through the online portal; no deadline is listed.

Assets

$1.9B

Grants

814

Total Given

$88.8M

More Funders in Pennsylvania

The Merle E & Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?