Merus Foundation
Invitation OnlyCincinnati, Ohio · EIN 87-1354173 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2025)$376K
Organizations funded56
Typical grant$518
Total assets$10.2M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $250 and $10,000.
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
50% of grants went outside Ohio.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| America's River Roots' Festival | Cincinnati, OH | General purpose | $50,000 |
| Corporation of Findlay Market | Cincinnati, OH | General purpose | $50,000 |
| Keep Cincinnati Beautiful | Cincinnati, OH | General purpose | $50,000 |
| Brighton Center Inc | Newport, KY | General purpose | $30,250 |
| Project Destined | Washington, DC | General purpose | $30,000 |
| Artworks | Cincinnati, OH | General purpose | $25,000 |
| Tennessee Performing Arts Center | Nashville, TN | General purpose | $25,000 |
| United Way of Greater Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | General purpose | $19,685 |
| Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park | Cincinnati, OH | General purpose | $10,250 |
| Cincinnati Museum Center | Cincinnati, OH | General purpose | $10,000 |
| Civic Design Center | Nashville, TN | General purpose | $10,000 |
| Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy | Pittsburgh, PA | General purpose | $10,000 |
| Urban Green Lab | Nashville, TN | General purpose | $10,000 |
| Walk Bike Nashville | Nashville, TN | General purpose | $10,000 |
| YWCA Greater Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | General purpose | $10,000 |
| Artswave | Cincinnati, OH | General purpose | $6,329 |
| Talbert House | Cincinnati, OH | General purpose | $1,500 |
| Freestore Foodbank | Cincinnati, OH | General purpose | $1,400 |
| American Heart Association Heart Mini | Pittsburgh, PA | General purpose | $1,057 |
| Leukemia & Lymphona Society Inc | Rye Brook, NY | General purpose | $1,000 |
| Prokids | Cincinnati, OH | General purpose | $1,000 |
| Rock Solid Families | West Harrison, IN | General purpose | $1,000 |
| Sowa Goat Sanctuary | Harvard, MA | General purpose | $1,000 |
| St Matthew School | Franklin, TN | General purpose | $1,000 |
| Cincinnati Arts Association | Cincinnati, OH | General purpose | $900 |
| Camp Kesem National | Granville, OH | General purpose | $800 |
| Matthew 25 Ministries | Blue Ash, OH | General purpose | $750 |
| Northern Kentucky Children's Advocacy Center | Florence, KY | General purpose | $645 |
| Cornerstone Renter Equity | Cincinnati, OH | General purpose | $518 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati Inc | Cincinnati, OH | General purpose | $500 |
| Dixie Heights Colonels Club | Edgewood, KY | General purpose | $500 |
| Fairhaven Rescue Mission | Covington, KY | General purpose | $500 |
| Make-A-Wish | Phoenix, AZ | General purpose | $500 |
| Xavier University | Cincinnati, OH | General purpose | $500 |
| Welcome House of Northern Kentucky Inc | Covington, KY | General purpose | $355 |
| Fairfield Food Pantry | Fairfield, OH | General purpose | $350 |
| Cincinnati Public Radio | Cincinnati, OH | General purpose | $250 |
| Dcch Center for Children and Families | For Mitchell, KY | General purpose | $250 |
| Epilepsy Alliance of Ohio | Cincinnati, OH | General purpose | $250 |
| Gigi's Playhouse | Loveland, OH | General purpose | $250 |
| Inner City Youth Opportunities | Cincinnati, OH | General purpose | $250 |
| LA Soupe | Cincinnati, OH | General purpose | $250 |
| Pathway to Hope Pregnancy Care Center | Hamilton, OH | General purpose | $250 |
| Reach Out Lakota | West Chester Township, OH | General purpose | $250 |
| South Hills Interfaith Movement | Bethel Park, PA | General purpose | $250 |
| The Care Center of Loveland | Loveland, OH | General purpose | $250 |
| The Healing Center | Cincinnati, OH | General purpose | $250 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee | Nashville, TN | General purpose | $200 |
| Be Concerned Inc | Covington, KY | General purpose | $100 |
| Care Net Pregnancy Services of Nky | Williamstown, KY | General purpose | $100 |
| Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky Inc | Covington, KY | General purpose | $100 |
| St Elizabeth Foundation | Edgewood, KY | General purpose | $100 |
| Stepup Ministry | Raleigh, NC | General purpose | $100 |
| Wish of Rockaway Inc | Rockaway Park, NY | General purpose | $100 |
| Frist Art Museum | Nashville, TN | General purpose | $75 |
| Franklin Theater | Franklin, TN | General purpose | $50 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $375,964 | 56 |
| 2024 | $313,459 | 43 |
| 2023 | $141,129 | 30 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed May 1, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202601219349100305
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 87-1354173
- Profile updated Nov 5, 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.