The Merrick Foundation
The Merrick Foundation is a private family foundation based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Established in 1948 as a memorial to F.W. Merrick by his son Ward S. Merrick, Sr., the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with a focus on enhancing the quality of life for Oklahomans and their communities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$12.3M
+3.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$451K
+7.1% YoY
Grant Count
40
+5.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$11K
+1.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Merrick Foundation reported a distributable amount of $584K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to enhance the quality of life of Oklahomans and their communities with primary emphasis on South Central Oklahoma. The trustees are committed to furthering the philanthropic vision of Ward S. Merrick, Sr. by awarding grants to charitable organizations that foster independence and achievement, and that stimulate educational, economic and cultural growth.
Primary funding areas include:
- Education
- Health and medical research
- Arts and humanities
- Social services
- Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking
- Human services
Specific funding preferences: Ardmore, Oklahoma; mental health and substance abuse prevention
Grantmaking
Average Grant
amount varies by cycle
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. South Central Oklahoma receives particular emphasis, with Ardmore, Oklahoma identified as a specific funding preference.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $11.8 million
- Total Revenue: $997,117
- Total Expenses: $568,127
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Net Income: $42
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $12,275,861
- Total Giving: $451,000
The foundation has demonstrated consistent asset growth, increasing from $9.7 million in 2011 to over $12.2 million by 2024.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,275,861 | $11,822,427 | $10,953,660 |
| Revenue | $724,351 | $997,117 | $487,750 |
| Expenses | $613,106 | $568,127 | $666,708 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $557,212 | $527,947 | $611,477 |
| Net Investment Income | $668,457 | $956,937 | $432,597 |
| Distributable Amount | $584,128 | $547,560 | $574,372 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
228 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Merrick Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Oklahoma Foundation ($79,000), Osu Foundation ($75,000), Charles B Goddard Center for the Vi ($75,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CHRIST CHURCH EPISCOPAL TULSA, OK | Discretionary Grant | $4,000 |
| OMRF OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | Stephen M Prescott Endowment Fund for the Best and the Brightest | $51,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA FOUNDATION OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | OU Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences Mental Health Support/Discretionary Grant | $79,000 |
| TRANSFORMATION CHURCH SEMINOLE, OK | Discretionary Grant | $2,000 |
| SOUTHEASTERN FOUNDATION INC DURANT, OK | Discretionary Grant | $4,000 |
| SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA AMBULANCE SERVICE ARDMORE, OK | Discretionary Grant | $3,000 |
| TRAVELIN TIGERS FUND INC ARDMORE, OK | Discretionary Grant | $1,000 |
| CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION MEMPHIS, TN | Discretionary Grant | $4,000 |
| CROSS AND CROWN MISSION INC OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | Discretionary Grant | $750 |
| INFANT CRISIS SERVICES OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | Discretionary Grant | $750 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Directors and Trustees:
- Gerald Buchanan
- Valda M. Buchanan
- Mike Cawley
- Asher Coe
- Clay Coe
- Ross M. "Rick" Coe
- Ryan Coe
- Ward I. Coe
- Merrick Fitzgerald
- Gwen Gaines
- Merrick McSwiggan
- Kate Merrick Smith
- Jonathan Merrick
- Robert Merrick
- Ward S. Merrick, III
- Will Merrick
- Jeff Moen
- Jessie Nance
- Elizabeth Wade
Contact: Cboone@fmiokc.com | 405-755-5571
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GERALD S BUCHANAN | Trustee | — | $2,000 |
| VALDA M BUCHANAN | Secretary | — | $2,000 |
| ASHER COE | Trustee | — | $2,000 |
| CHARLES R COE JR | Trustee | — | $2,000 |
| CLAY COE | Trustee | — | $2,000 |
| MERRICK FITZGERALD | Vice President | — | $2,000 |
| ROSS M COE | Trustee | — | $2,000 |
| RYAN COE | Trustee | — | $2,000 |
| WARD I COE | Trustee | — | $2,000 |
| GWEN GAINES | Trustee | — | $2,000 |
| MERRICK MCSWIGGAN | Trustee | — | $2,000 |
| FRANK W MERRICK | Vice President | — | $1,000 |
| ROBERT MERRICK | Treasurer | — | $2,000 |
| JONATHAN MERRICK | President | — | $2,000 |
| WARD S MERRICK III | Trustee | — | $2,000 |
| JEFF MOEN | Trustee | — | $2,000 |
| JESSIE NANCE | Trustee | — | $2,000 |
| MIKE CAWLEY | Trustee | — | $2,000 |
| WILL MERRICK | Trustee | — | $2,000 |
| KATE MERRICK-SMITH | Trustee | — | $1,000 |
Contact Information
Address: 1024 E. Britton Road, Suite 200, Oklahoma City, OK 73131
Phone: 405-755-5571
Email: cboone@fmiokc.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Merrick Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to enhance the quality of life of Oklahomans and their communities with primary emphasis on South Central Oklahoma. The trustees are committed to furthering the philanthropic vision of Ward S. Merrick, Sr. by awarding grants to charitable organizations that foster independence and achievement, and that stimulate educational, economic and cultural growth. **Primary funding areas include:** • Education • Health and medical research • Arts and humanities • Social servic…
How do I apply for a grant from The Merrick Foundation?
**Grant characteristics:** • Typical award range: $500–$100,000 • Average grant amount varies by cycle • Grant applications are welcomed by invitation only, ensuring a focused and purposeful approach to philanthropic endeavors **Recent grants awarded (2025):** • Charles B. Goddard Center for the Visual and Performing Arts – $75,000 • Community Youth Services of Southern Oklahoma Inc. – $10,000 • Family Shelter of Southern Oklahoma – $10,000 • Mid-America Christian University – $75,000 • Oklahom…
Where does The Merrick Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. South Central Oklahoma receives particular emphasis, with Ardmore, Oklahoma identified as a specific funding preference.
What size grants does The Merrick Foundation award?
In 2024, The Merrick Foundation awarded 40 grants totaling $451K — an average of about $11K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Merrick Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Merrick Foundation reported a distributable amount of $584K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Merrick Foundation's EIN?
The Merrick Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 73-6111622. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Merrick Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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