The Paul & Elisabeth Merage
The Paul & Elisabeth Merage is a private foundation, based in Newport Beach, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $40.8M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $1.9M. Net investment income was $1.6M.
The Paul & Elisabeth Merage at a glance
In short: The Paul & Elisabeth Merage gave $1.9M across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $375K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,875,188
- -8.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- -44.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $375,038
- +65.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $40,814,596
- -8.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (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 Paul & Elisabeth Merage funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Orange County Community Foundation ($1.3M). Together the top 5 received $1.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
43 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 16 grants of 43 (37%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Paul & Elisabeth Merage gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−11%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 90% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $1.9M (2024) to $2.1M (2021). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $1.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Orange County Community Foundation Irvine, CA | General Operating | $1,335,500 |
| Simbelle Productions Newport Beach, CA | General Operating | $500,000 |
| El Sol Academy Foundation Santa Ana, CA | General Operating | $25,000 |
| University Synagogue Irvine, CA | General Operating | $10,000 |
| Segerstrom Center for the Arts Costa Mesa, CA | General Operating | $4,688 |
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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 | $40,814,596 | $1,612,456 | $1,896,216 | $1,875,188 | 5 | $1,881,401 | $1,611,993 | $2,088,822 |
| 2023 | $44,450,281 | $1,861,387 | $2,052,349 | $2,040,000 | 9 | $2,047,186 | $1,856,446 | $1,898,302 |
| 2022 | $30,478,231 | $5,842 | $2,269,484 | $2,088,750 | 9 | $2,139,315 | $784 | $2,070,766 |
| 2021 | $43,224,484 | $1,894,023 | $2,141,153 | $2,102,375 | 8 | $2,137,556 | $1,888,383 | $2,128,765 |
| 2020 | $44,395,204 | $741,002 | $2,036,269 | $1,970,125 | 12 | — | $732,363 | $2,114,790 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Paul & Elisabeth Merage reported a distributable amount of $2.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Paul & Elisabeth Merage is led by Michelle Merage, President & Director on every filing since 2022; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michelle Merage
President & Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Merage
Chairman of the Board
President & Director → Chairman of the Board, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elisabeth Merage
Director
Secretary, Treasurer & Director → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Paul & Elisabeth Merage
How much does The Paul & Elisabeth Merage give each year?
The Paul & Elisabeth Merage gave $1.9M across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.0M across 9 grants.
What is The Paul & Elisabeth Merage's typical grant size?
The Paul & Elisabeth Merage's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $375,038, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Paul & Elisabeth Merage give grants?
The Paul & Elisabeth Merage gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Irvine, CA (2 grants).
Does The Paul & Elisabeth Merage give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Paul & Elisabeth Merage's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Paul & Elisabeth Merage's largest grantees?
The Paul & Elisabeth Merage's largest 2024 grantees include Orange County Community Foundation ($1,335,500), Simbelle Productions ($500,000) and El Sol Academy Foundation ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 99% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Paul & Elisabeth Merage?
The Paul & Elisabeth Merage reported $40.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.1M (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 is The Paul & Elisabeth Merage's EIN?
The Paul & Elisabeth Merage's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 68-0529692. 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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