Merit Foundation
Invitation OnlyMount Prospect, Illinois · EIN 36-4156727 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2025)$59K
Organizations funded27
Typical grant$1,700
Total assets$2M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $1,000 and $3,000.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2025 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
85% of grants went outside Illinois.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation | Pasadena, CA | Charitable | $5,200 |
| Lafayette College | Easton, PA | Education | $5,200 |
| Mental Health America Inc | Alexandria, VA | Charitable | $5,200 |
| Foundation for the Mount Prospect Public Library | Mount Prospect, IL | Charitable | $5,200 |
| Roman Catholic Diocese of Madison Inc | Madison, WI | Religious | $4,200 |
| The Parenting Path | Winstonsalem, NC | Charitable | $3,000 |
| Wheaton North High School | Wheaton, IL | Education | $3,000 |
| St Jude Childrens Research Hospital Inc | Memphis, TN | Charitable | $2,700 |
| Summit School of Ahwatukee | Phoenix, AZ | Education | $2,700 |
| Trustees of Boston University - Bloom Family Leadership | Boston, MA | Education | $2,700 |
| Holy Cross Lutheran Church | Wheaton, IL | Religious | $2,700 |
| Trustees of Boston University - Friends of Men's Swimming & Diving | Boston, MA | Charitable | $2,500 |
| Grace Lutheran Church | Clemmons, NC | Religious | $2,000 |
| Edith Kanaka'ole Foundation | Hilo, HI | Charitable | $1,700 |
| Albion College | Albion, MI | Education | $1,500 |
| Undies for Everyone | Houston, TX | Charitable | $1,500 |
| Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center | Phoenix, AZ | Charitable | $1,000 |
| William Marsh Rice University - Women's Club Water Polo | Houston, TX | Charitable | $1,000 |
| Honolulu Master's Water Polo Club | Ewa Beach, HI | Charitable | $1,000 |
| Pitt Hopkins Foundation | Plymouth, MA | Scientific | $1,000 |
| Camp Gray | Reedsburg, WI | Recreational | $1,000 |
| Riverwood Therapeutic Horseback Riding | Tobaccovile, NC | Scientific | $700 |
| Shallow Ford Foundation Inc (Coach Murph Scholarship) | Clemmons, NC | Charitable | $500 |
| Rabbit Sanctuary Inc | Simpsonville, SC | Charitable | $500 |
| Winfield Library Friends | Winfield, IL | Charitable | $500 |
| Cancer Services Inc | Winstonsalem, NC | Chartiable | $500 |
| Hushabye Nursery | Gilbert, AZ | Charitable | $500 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $59,200 | 27 |
| 2024 | $71,500 | 25 |
| 2023 | $59,000 | 24 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed May 14, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202641349349104519
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 36-4156727
- Profile updated Nov 6, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.