The Merle Thorpe Jr Charitable Trust
The Merle Thorpe Jr Charitable Trust is a private foundation, based in Thurmont, MD. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $11.4M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $2. Net investment income was $603K.
Key facts about The Merle Thorpe Jr Charitable Trust
In short: The Merle Thorpe Jr Charitable Trust gave $2 across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $2), mostly in Connecticut. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 52-6666964
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- Average grant
- $2
- Median grant
- $2
- Total assets
- $11,429,437
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (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
$11.4M
+0.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$2
-33.3% YoY
Grant Count
1
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$2
-33.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Merle Thorpe Jr Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $396K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How The Merle Thorpe Jr Charitable Trust gives
- Giving fell 33% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 152% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2 (2020) to $9 (2022). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $2.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Garmark K-1 ($2).
Grant Size Distribution
6 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 6 grants of 6 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Garmark K-1 Stamford, CT | Charity | $2 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $11,429,437 | $11,405,234 | $11,428,720 |
| Revenue | $717,756 | $908,308 | $812,581 |
| Expenses | $763,851 | $864,000 | $576,779 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $602,625 | $625,872 | $376,832 |
| Net Investment Income | $602,652 | $711,487 | $666,682 |
| Distributable Amount | $395,745 | $391,965 | $441,741 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Merle Thorpe Jr Charitable Trust's 2024 filing lists 7 officers; none of the 7 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Samuel Castleman III
Trustee & Chari
Executive Di → Trustee & Char, 2022
Trustee & Char → Trustee & Chari, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$56K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Brad Hill
Trustee
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Brook Currie
Trustee
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Gigi Castleman
Trustee
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Mark Jameson Sullivan
Trustee
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Matthew Smith
Trustee
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Whitney Ourisman-Ferguson
Trustee
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Daniel J. O'Brien (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Eugenia B. Castleman (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Joseph Welty (2020–2021) — Trustee & Chai
- Former: Peter Castleman (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Salvatore G. Siino (2020–2021) — Officer
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $20K, to Samuel Castleman III (Trustee/Chari).
Frequently asked questions about The Merle Thorpe Jr Charitable Trust
How much does The Merle Thorpe Jr Charitable Trust give each year?
The Merle Thorpe Jr Charitable Trust gave $2 across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3 across 1 grant.
How large is The Merle Thorpe Jr Charitable Trust?
The Merle Thorpe Jr Charitable Trust reported $11.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $603K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $396K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
Where does The Merle Thorpe Jr Charitable Trust operate?
The Merle Thorpe Jr Charitable Trust has awarded grants in Connecticut, Massachusetts.
What is The Merle Thorpe Jr Charitable Trust's EIN?
The Merle Thorpe Jr Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-6666964. 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.
Here's the math on researching The Merle Thorpe Jr Charitable Trust by hand.
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