Private foundation · EIN 26-2749281 · Plymouth, Minnesota · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Ruth and William Merkey Foundation Inc

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 30 grants paid, $189K total, median $5,450. 10% of grants stayed in Minnesota.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
30
$189K
Median grant
$5,450
Stays in MN
10%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$2.0M

Grants paid in 2025

30 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Sisters of St Francis of the Holy CrossGreen Bay, WICharitable$28K
Friends of KowakErie, COCharitable$11K
New Community ClinicGreen Bay, WICharitable$11K
New ZooGreen Bay, WICharitable$11K
Pauls PantryGreen Bay, WICharitalbe$11K
Second Harvest HeartlandBrooklyn Park, MNCharitable$11K
Salvation Army of Brown CountyGreen Bay, WICharitable$7,400
Salvatorian Mission WarehouseSalvatorian Center, WICharitable$7,400
Catholic Relief ServicesBaltimore, MDCharitable$5,900
Crosier Brothers and FathersOnamia, MNCharitable$5,900
Doctors Without BordersNew York, NYCharitable$5,900
Samaritan's PurseBoone, NCCharitable$5,900
Adopt-A-Native-ElderSalt Lake City, UTCharitable$5,700
Project HopeMillwood, VACharitalbe$5,700
Xavier Society for the BlindNew York, NYCharitable$5,700
Hshs St Vincentst Mary's HospitalGreen Bay, WICharitable$5,200
Benedictine Mission HouseSchuler, NECharitable$5,100
Franciscan MissionsWaterford, WICharitable$5,100
Salesian MissionsNew Rochelle, NYCharitable$5,100
Mobile Hope MnCorcoran, MNCharitable$5,100
House of HopeGreen Bay, WICharitable$4,000
Rushes Wilderness FoundationBaileys Harbor, WICharitable$4,000
Community Bible Study International N AfricaColorado Springs, COCharitable$3,900
Living Faith FoundationFenton, MOCharitable$3,400
Sacred Heart Southern MissionWalls, MSCharitalbe$3,400
Catholic FoundationGreen Bay, WICharitable$2,500
American Bird ConservancyThe Plalins, VACharitable$2,000
EwtnIrondale, ALCharitable$1,000
Holy Cross Family MinistriesNorth Easton, MACharitable$1,000
UnboundKansas City, KSCharitable$650

By state: Wisconsin 11 · Minnesota 3 · New York 3 · Colorado 2 · Virginia 2 · Maryland 1

About this foundation

Ruth and William Merkey Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking foundation in Plymouth, Minnesota, tax-exempt since 2009. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Ruth and William Merkey Foundation Inc accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does Ruth and William Merkey Foundation Inc give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $189K across 30 grants, a median of $5,450.

Where does Ruth and William Merkey Foundation Inc give?

Wisconsin (11 grants), Minnesota (3 grants), New York (3 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Plymouth that accept applications

All in Minnesota
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
J a Wedum Foundationsince 1963 Plymouth, MN $1.3M108 grants · 2024 $5,000Yes $169M
Cummins Family Foundationsince 1999 Plymouth, MN $3.4M4 grants · 2024 $375KPreselected only $61M
Kendrick B Melrose Family Foundationsince 1998 Plymouth, MN $3.5M17 grants · 2025 $15KPreselected only $48M
Harold F Griffiths Foundationsince 2018 Plymouth, MN $678K20 grants · 2025 $30KPreselected only $13M
Esplanade Gardens Senior Incsince 1997 Plymouth, MN $13K7 grants · 2024 $2,000Preselected only $7.8M
Veritas Foundationsince 2006 Plymouth, MN $1.3M7 grants · 2025 $46KPreselected only $6.8M
Marbob Groupsince 2018 Plymouth, MN $173K15 grants · 2025 $5,000Preselected only $5.8M
Murphy Family Foundationsince 2015 Plymouth, MN — —Not stated $4.0M
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