The Merrell Family Foundation
The Merrell Family Foundation is a private foundation, based in Seattle, WA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $742K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 6 grants totaling $96K. Net investment income was $11K.
The Merrell Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Merrell Family Foundation gave $96K across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $16K), mostly in Washington. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $95,921
- -2.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- +20.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $15,987
- -18.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $9,871
- Total assets
- $742,097
- -10.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Washington (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Merrell Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Jubilee Women's Center ($38K). Together the top 6 received $96K.
Grant Size Distribution
22 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 22 grants of 22 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Merrell Family Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+0%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 106% of 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $96K (2024) to $98K (2022). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $96K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jubilee Women's Center Seattle, WA | General Fund | $38,000 |
| Mary's Place Seattle, WA | General Fund | $38,000 |
| Food Lifeline Shoreline, WA | General Fund | $14,741 |
| Cocoon House Everett, WA | General Fund | $5,000 |
| Kuow-Puget Sound Public Radio Seattle, WA | General Fund | $100 |
| Ballard Elks Lodge 827 Seattle, WA | General Fund | $80 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $742,097 | $53,728 | $138,899 | $95,921 | 6 | $95,921 | $10,679 | $90,807 |
| 2023 | $829,541 | $79,209 | $150,683 | $98,194 | 5 | $98,194 | $26,649 | $95,861 |
| 2022 | $901,069 | $59,892 | $159,189 | $98,248 | 4 | $98,248 | — | $98,104 |
| 2021 | $998,216 | $54,904 | $150,545 | $96,098 | 3 | $96,098 | — | $98,218 |
| 2020 | $1,093,940 | $64,878 | $149,594 | $96,181 | 4 | — | $9,750 | $96,098 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Merrell Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $91K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Merrell Family Foundation's 2024 filing lists 4 officers; 1 of 4 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Shannon Nagamine
Director
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$11K (2020) → $11K (2024)
James Witter
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Jennifer Witter Lerch
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Susan Witter O'Leary
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
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 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $11K, to Shannon Nagamine (Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Merrell Family Foundation
How much does The Merrell Family Foundation give each year?
The Merrell Family Foundation gave $96K across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $98K across 5 grants.
What is The Merrell Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Merrell Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $9,871, and its average grant was $15,987, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Merrell Family Foundation give grants?
The Merrell Family Foundation gives mostly in Washington: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Seattle, WA (4 grants).
Does The Merrell Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Merrell Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Merrell Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Merrell Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Jubilee Women's Center ($38,000), Mary's Place ($38,000) and Food Lifeline ($14,741), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 95% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Merrell Family Foundation?
The Merrell Family Foundation reported $742K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $96K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $91K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Merrell Family Foundation's EIN?
The Merrell Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0703092. 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.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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