The Merow Foundation
The Merow Foundation is a private foundation, based in New York, NY. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2021. In 2021, it awarded 1 grant totaling $15K.
The Merow Foundation at a glance
In short: The Merow Foundation gave $15K across 1 grant in 2021 (avg $15K), mostly in New York. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $15,230
- -99.3% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 1
- -75.0% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $15,230
- -97.2% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $15,230
- Primary geography
- New York (100% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated September 2026.
Who The Merow Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was St Thomas Church ($15K).
Grant Size Distribution
11 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 6 grants of 11 (55%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2021 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
Cities
How The Merow Foundation gives
- In 2021 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2019 to 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $15K (2021) to $2.2M (2020). In 2021 it made 1 grant totaling $15K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| St Thomas Church New York, NY | To Further Donee's Exempt Purpose | $15,230 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | $1 | $32,410 | $15,230 | 1 | $26,024 | — | $1,223 |
| 2020 | $32,409 | $8,322 | $2,225,797 | $2,200,000 | 4 | — | $4,058 | $55,685 |
| 2019 | $2,249,884 | $963,782 | $124,575 | $111,500 | 6 | — | $1,039,961 | $90,634 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Merow Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1K for 2021 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Merow Foundation is led by James I. Black III, Trustee on every filing since 2019 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2021 filing
James I. Black III
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2021. "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 Merow Foundation
How much does The Merow Foundation give each year?
The Merow Foundation gave $15K across 1 grant in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2020 it gave $2.2M across 4 grants.
Where does The Merow Foundation operate?
The Merow Foundation has awarded grants in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York.
How much is The Merow Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2021, The Merow Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Merow Foundation's EIN?
The Merow Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3913625. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2021.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 19, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2021
Live grants for the work The Merow Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Merow Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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