The Merz Family Foundation is a private independent foundation based in Delray Beach, Florida. Established in 1999 in Pennsylvania and designated as a 501(c)(3) organization in June 2000, the foundation operates as a grantmaking entity focused on philanthropic giving across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.1M
-17.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$579K
+60.6% YoY
Grant Count
34
-5.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
+70.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Merz Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $553K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports a diverse range of charitable causes, including:
- Education
- Arts, culture, and humanities
- Museums
- Health and medical research
- Animal welfare and conservation
- Community services
Grantmaking
The foundation has made grants to organizations including Achievement Center for Children & Families, Agnes Irwin School, American Heart Association, American Kidney Fund, Bethesda Hospital Foundation, and various other charitable organizations across health, education, and community development sectors.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily operates in Florida, with particular presence in the Delray Beach area. However, grants have been distributed to organizations across multiple states, including Pennsylvania, Texas, Maryland, and Delaware.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $3,732,312
- Total Revenues: $500,810
- Total Expenses: $362,544
- Total Grants, Contributions, etc.: $238,565
- Investment Income and Dividends: $140,817
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $3.07 million
- Total Revenues: $16.5k
- Total Expenses: $579k
The foundation has zero employees and zero liabilities.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,065,556 | $3,732,312 | $3,546,431 |
| Revenue | $16,463 | $500,810 | $450,890 |
| Expenses | $579,474 | $362,544 | $389,363 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $578,800 | $360,500 | $388,800 |
| Net Investment Income | $150,542 | $260,201 | $156,180 |
| Distributable Amount | $552,951 | $481,592 | $406,785 |
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
203 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Mayo Clinic ($135,000), Willistown Conservation Trust ($85,000), Philadelphia Zoo ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AGNES IRWIN SCHOOL BRYN MAWR, PA | CHARITY CONTRIBUTION | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY HAGERSTOWN, MD | CHARITY CONTRIBUTION | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION DALLAS, TX | CHARITY CONTRIBUTION | $5,000 |
| BRANDYWINE VALLEY SPCA DOVER, DE | CHARITY CONTRIBUTION | $2,500 |
| BRAVO VAIL VAIL, CO | CHARITY CONTRIBUTION | $5,000 |
| BROOKS HEALTH FOUNDATION JACKSONVILLE, FL | CHARITY CONTRIBUTION | $30,000 |
| CHESTER COUNTY FOOD BANK EXTON, PA | CHARITY CONTRIBUTION | $3,000 |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA PHILADELPHIA, PA | CHARITY CONTRIBUTION | $10,000 |
| CHILDREN'S SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL FOUNDATION NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ | CHARITY CONTRIBUTION | $20,000 |
| COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS WORCESTER, MA | CHARITY CONTRIBUTION | $5,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
J. Frederick Merz Jr. serves as Trustee of the foundation. He is listed at the foundation's address in Delray Beach, Florida and can be reached at 484-318-1073.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| J FREDERICK MERZ JR | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 200 N Ocean Blvd Apt S-4, Delray Beach, FL 33483-7100
Telephone: 484-318-1073
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Merz Family Foundation fund?
The foundation supports a diverse range of charitable causes, including: • Education • Arts, culture, and humanities • Museums • Health and medical research • Animal welfare and conservation • Community services
How do I apply for a grant from The Merz Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • In 2023, the foundation made $133,550 in grants • Recent notable grants include: • Mayo Clinic: $110,000 (2023) • Willistown Conservation Trust: $22,500 (2023) • Misty Meadows Mitey Riders: $20,000 (2023) The foundation has made grants to organizations including Achievement Center for Children & Families, Agnes Irwin School, American Heart Association, American Kidney Fund, Bethesda Hospital Foundation, and various other charitable organizations across health, education, a…
Where does The Merz Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily operates in Florida, with particular presence in the Delray Beach area. However, grants have been distributed to organizations across multiple states, including Pennsylvania, Texas, Maryland, and Delaware.
What size grants does The Merz Family Foundation award?
In 2024, The Merz Family Foundation awarded 34 grants totaling $579K — an average of about $17K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Merz Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Merz Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $553K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Merz Family Foundation's EIN?
The Merz Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-3023616. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Merz Family 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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