The PD Merrill Charitable Trust
The PD Merrill Charitable Trust is a private foundation, based in Portland, ME. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2022. In 2022, it awarded 7 grants totaling $2.5M.
The PD Merrill Charitable Trust at a glance
In short: The PD Merrill Charitable Trust gave $2.5M across 7 grants in 2022 (avg $357K), mostly in Maine. Source: 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2022)
- $2,499,673
- +4899.3% vs 2021
- Grants made (2022)
- 7
- +600.0% vs 2021
- Average grant
- $357,096
- +614.2% vs 2021
- Median grant
- $80,000
- Primary geography
- Maine (59% of itemized 2022 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2022 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2022; updated September 2026.
Who The PD Merrill Charitable Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2022
The largest 2022 recipient was Maine Community Foundation ($1.3M). Together the top 7 received $2.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
14 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 5 grants of 14 (36%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2022 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How The PD Merrill Charitable Trust gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2019 to 2022 (+6%). Method
- In 2022 it paid out well above 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 2019 to 2022, annual grant giving ranged from $50K (2021) to $2.5M (2022). In 2022 it made 7 grants totaling $2.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Community Foundation Ellsworth, ME | General support | $1,276,173 |
| The Carter Center Atlanta, GA | General support | $1,003,500 |
| Maine Historical Society Portland, ME | General support | $110,000 |
| University of New England Biddeford, ME | General support | $80,000 |
| Friends of the Pittsfield Library Pittsfield, ME | General support | $10,000 |
| Peregrine Corp South Portland, ME | f/b/o PSL Services / STRIVE, South Portland, ME location | $10,000 |
| Seeds of Peace New York, NY | General support | $10,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | — | $21,552 | $2,559,012 | $2,499,673 | 7 | $2,533,909 | — | $102,076 |
| 2021 | $2,537,460 | $923 | $87,949 | $50,000 | 1 | $69,168 | — | $127,403 |
| 2020 | $2,624,486 | $13,940 | $1,091,449 | $1,050,100 | 3 | — | — | $158,080 |
| 2019 | $3,697,478 | $105,247 | $2,395,898 | $2,350,000 | 3 | — | $80,679 | $260,506 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The PD Merrill Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $102K for 2022 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The PD Merrill Charitable Trust's 2022 filing lists 3 officers; 2 of 3 officers listed in 2022 are compensated.
Officers on the 2022 filing
Anthony Tenneson
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$3K (2019) → $5K (2022)
John Achatz
Trustee
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
$24K (2019) → $24K (2022)
Peter Vigue
Trustee
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2022. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2022 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2022 filing was $24K, to John Achatz (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The PD Merrill Charitable Trust
How much does The PD Merrill Charitable Trust give each year?
The PD Merrill Charitable Trust gave $2.5M across 7 grants in 2022, according to its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2021 it gave $50K across 1 grant.
What is The PD Merrill Charitable Trust's typical grant size?
The PD Merrill Charitable Trust's median grant in 2022 was $80,000, and its average grant was $357,096, across 7 grants on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The PD Merrill Charitable Trust give grants?
The PD Merrill Charitable Trust gives mostly in Maine: 59% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Georgia (40%).
Does The PD Merrill Charitable Trust give general operating support?
Yes: 86% of The PD Merrill Charitable Trust's 2022 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The PD Merrill Charitable Trust's largest grantees?
The PD Merrill Charitable Trust's largest 2022 grantees include Maine Community Foundation ($1,276,173), The Carter Center ($1,003,500) and Maine Historical Society ($110,000), according to its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 96% of its itemized 2022 grant dollars.
How much is The PD Merrill Charitable Trust required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2022, The PD Merrill Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $102K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The PD Merrill Charitable Trust's EIN?
The PD Merrill Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-7312061. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2022.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS April 29, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2022
Live grants for the work The PD Merrill Charitable Trust funds
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