The Merlin Foundation
Invitation OnlyBoulder, Colorado · EIN 84-1232001 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$3.9M
Organizations funded27
Typical grant$50,000
Total assets$8.7M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $25,000 and $100,000.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2024 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
80% of grants went outside Colorado.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Wildlife Fund | Washington, DC | General purpose | $1,100,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy | Los Angeles, CA | General purpose | $1,000,000 |
| Earthjustice League Defense Fund | San Francisco, CA | General purpose | $250,000 |
| The Wilderness Society | Washington, DC | General purpose | $250,000 |
| Heroes Project | Washington, DC | General purpose | $180,000 |
| Alaska Conservation Foundation | Anchorage, AK | General purpose | $100,000 |
| Aspen Center for Environmental Studies | Aspen, CO | General purpose | $100,000 |
| Oceana | Washington, DC | General purpose | $100,000 |
| Outdoor Afro | Oakland, CA | General purpose | $100,000 |
| Save the Redwoods League | San Francisco, CA | General purpose | $100,000 |
| Wildlife Conservation Society | Bronx, NY | General purpose | $100,000 |
| Alaska Wilderness League | Washington, DC | General purpose | $50,000 |
| American Rivers | Washington, DC | General purpose | $50,000 |
| Eo Wilson Biodiversity Foundation | Durham, NC | General purpose | $50,000 |
| Wilderness Land Trust | Bainbridge Island, WA | General purpose | $50,000 |
| Wilderness Workshop | Carbondale, CO | General purpose | $50,000 |
| Open Space Institute | New York, NY | General purpose | $30,000 |
| Yale University | New Haven, CT | General purpose | $30,000 |
| American Friends of the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra | New York, NY | General purpose | $25,000 |
| Colorado Open Lands | Lakewood, CO | General purpose | $25,000 |
| Conservacion Amazonica | Lima, PE | General purpose | $25,000 |
| Monterey Bay Aquarium | Monterey, CA | General purpose | $25,000 |
| Natura Argentina | Buenos Aires, AR | General purpose | $25,000 |
| One Percent of the Planet | Burlington, VT | General purpose | $25,000 |
| Thorne Nature Experience | Boulder, CO | General purpose | $25,000 |
| Xerces Society | Portland, OR | General purpose | $10,000 |
| Early Learning Center of Aspen | Aspen, CO | General purpose | $1,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,876,000 | 27 |
| 2023 | $5,110,000 | 28 |
| 2022 | $3,530,000 | 17 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Aug 31, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202622439349100407
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 84-1232001
- 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.