The Merrick Foundation
The Merrick Foundation is a private foundation based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Its 2024 filing reports grants to organizations including universities, arts and cultural organizations, mental health and community-service providers, and research and educational institutions.
The Merrick Foundation at a glance
In short: The Merrick Foundation gave $451K across 40 grants in 2024 (avg $11K), mostly in Oklahoma. 18% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $451,000
- +7.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 40
- +5.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $11,275
- +1.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $12,275,861
- +3.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (7 of 40, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Oklahoma (96% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Merrick Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The filing directs applicants to an online grant application and says restrictions on awards are described in the annual report and grant application. It identifies Foundation Management Inc. as the contact.
- Review Cycle
- The filing lists July 5 and October 11. These dates have passed for 2026; the filing does not specify the year to which its listed dates apply.
- Deadline
- The filing lists July 5 and October 11.
- Contact
Application contact: Foundation Management Inc
Mailing address: 1024 E Britton Rd 200, Oklahoma City, OK 73131-2001
Phone: (405) 755-5571
Email: kblakley@fmiokc.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Merrick Foundation
Who The Merrick Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of Oklahoma Foundation ($79K). Together the top 10 received $393K.
Grant Size Distribution
246 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 229 grants of 246 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in Oklahoma. The filing reports 2% for Tennessee and 1% for Pennsylvania, with Louisiana and Missouri each reported at 0%. Oklahoma recipients included organizations in Oklahoma City, Ardmore, Stillwater, Tulsa, and Durant.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 40 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Merrick Foundation open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 7 of 40 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $11K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 70% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+4%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 95% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $411K (2020) to $505K (2022). In 2024 it made 40 grants totaling $451K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Oklahoma Foundation Oklahoma City, OK | OU Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences Mental Health Support/Discretionary Grant | $79,000 |
| OSU Foundation Stillwater, OK | World Mental Health Day 2024 | $75,000 |
| Charles B Goddard Center for the VI Ardmore, OK | Goddard Center capital campaign remodel and renovation | $75,000 |
| Mid-America Christian University Oklahoma City, OK | Scraper Counseling Center "Do Greater" Outreach | $75,000 |
| Omrf Oklahoma City, OK | Stephen M Prescott Endowment Fund for the Best and the Brightest | $51,000 |
| Family Shelter of Southern Oklahoma Ardmore, OK | Shelter and advocacy program | $10,000 |
| Lighthouse Behavioral Wellness Cent Ardmore, OK | Ardmore Bridges Initiative | $10,000 |
| Possibilities Inc Oklahoma City, OK | Discretionary Grants | $9,000 |
| Grace Center of Southern OK Inc Ardmore, OK | Day Center Case Management | $5,000 |
| Christ Church Episcopal Tulsa, OK | Discretionary Grant | $4,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2024 filing reports 40 grants; the 2023 and 2022 filings report 38 and 53 grants, respectively.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $12,275,861 | $724,351 | $613,106 | $451,000 | 40 | $557,212 | $668,457 | $584,128 |
| 2023 | $11,822,427 | $997,117 | $568,127 | $421,000 | 38 | $527,947 | $956,937 | $547,560 |
| 2022 | $10,953,660 | $487,750 | $666,708 | $505,400 | 53 | $611,477 | $432,597 | $574,372 |
| 2021 | $12,615,261 | $1,411,240 | $591,651 | $433,500 | 58 | $541,218 | $1,360,807 | $575,764 |
| 2020 | $11,532,134 | $639,728 | $543,565 | $411,000 | 57 | — | $603,336 | $542,460 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The available grant records show support for education, arts and culture, mental health, research, shelter and advocacy, and community services. These are areas represented by the foundation’s 2024 grants, not a stated mission or complete list of funding priorities.
Grantees describe their own missions in varied terms. The University of Oklahoma Foundation says it manages charitable gifts in support of the University of Oklahoma. Mid-America Christian University says it prepares students to address local and global problems. Family Shelter of Southern Oklahoma says it provides emergency shelter and counseling for victims of domestic violence, while Possibilities Inc. describes work to build local capacity for positive change.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 40 grants totaling $451,000. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $79,000, with a median of $2,000. Its largest reported awards included $79,000 to the University of Oklahoma Foundation for mental health support and a discretionary grant at OU’s Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences; $75,000 to OSU Foundation for World Mental Health Day 2024; $75,000 to the Charles B. Goddard Center for a capital campaign remodel and renovation; and $75,000 to Mid-America Christian University for the Scraper Counseling Center “Do Greater” Outreach. OMRF received $51,000 for the Stephen M Prescott Endowment Fund for the Best and the Brightest.
The filing also lists awards of $10,000 to Family Shelter of Southern Oklahoma for its shelter and advocacy program and $10,000 to Lighthouse Behavioral Wellness Center for the Ardmore Bridges Initiative. Other listed grants include $9,000 to Possibilities Inc., $5,000 to Grace Center of Southern Oklahoma, and $4,000 each to Christ Church Episcopal, Southeastern Foundation, and Christian Community Foundation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Gerald S Buchanan, Asher Coe, Charles R Coe Jr, Clay Coe, Ross M Coe, Ryan Coe, Ward I Coe, and Gwen Gaines as trustees. Valda M Buchanan is listed as secretary, and Merrick Fitzgerald as vice president.
The Merrick Foundation is led by Jonathan Merrick, President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); all 20 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jonathan Merrick
President
Trustee → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Asher Coe
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Charles R. Coe Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Clay Coe
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Gerald S. Buchanan
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Gwen Gaines
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Jeff Moen
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Jessie Nance
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Merrick McSwiggan
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Mike Cawley
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Ross M. Coe
Trustee
President → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Ryan Coe
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Ward I. Coe
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Ward S. Merrick III
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Will Merrick
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$1K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Kate Merrick-Smith
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
$1K (2024)
Frank W. Merrick
Vice President
On filings since 2020
$2K (2020) → $1K (2024)
Merrick Fitzgerald
Vice President
Trustee → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Robert Merrick
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
$1K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Valda M. Buchanan
Secretary
On filings since 2020
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Nancy Gaden (2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Sherrie Schroeder (2020–2022) — Treasurer
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 $2K, to Gerald S Buchanan (Trustee). 20 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Merrick Foundation
How much does The Merrick Foundation give each year?
The Merrick Foundation gave $451K across 40 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $421K across 38 grants.
What is The Merrick Foundation's typical grant size?
The Merrick Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,000, and its average grant was $11,275, across 40 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Merrick Foundation that year got $12K on average.
Where does The Merrick Foundation give grants?
The Merrick Foundation gives mostly in Oklahoma: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Oklahoma City, OK (17 grants), Ardmore, OK (7 grants), Tulsa, OK (2 grants) and Memphis, TN (2 grants).
Does The Merrick Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 40 grants with a stated purpose on The Merrick Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Discretionary Grant" (31 grants).
Who are The Merrick Foundation's largest grantees?
The Merrick Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include University of Oklahoma Foundation ($79,000), OSU Foundation ($75,000) and Charles B Goddard Center for the VI ($75,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 51% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Merrick Foundation?
The Merrick Foundation reported $12.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $557K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $584K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Merrick Foundation fund?
The available grant records show support for education, arts and culture, mental health, research, shelter and advocacy, and community services. These are areas represented by the foundation’s 2024 grants, not a stated mission or complete list of funding priorities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Merrick Foundation?
The filing directs applicants to an online grant application and says restrictions on awards are described in the annual report and grant application. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
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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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Merrick Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-merrick-foundation-morg_c06288ad0dde482ca59c36a9643e96c1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_736111622_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Merrick Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-merrick-foundation-morg_c06288ad0dde482ca59c36a9643e96c1},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Merrick Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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