Private foundation · EIN 39-1582624 · Brookfield, Wisconsin

Merkel 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 2024 Form 990-PF: 47 grants paid, $2.3M total, median $20K. 83% of grants stayed in Wisconsin.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2024
47
$2.3M
Median grant
$20K
Stays in WI
83%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$56M

Grants paid in 2024

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
Global Brigades IncFresno, CAGeneral operating support$451K
Archdiocese of Milwaukee Inc (catholic Stewardship Appeal)Milwaukee, WIGeneral operating support$401K
Sixteenth Street Community Health CentersMilwaukee, WIGeneral operating support$251K
Holy Apostles Catholic ParishNew Berlin, WIGeneral operating support$100K
Sheboygan Youth Sailing Club IncSheboygan, WIGeneral operating support$99K
St Dominic ParishBrookfield, WIGeneral operating support$85K
Community of St Paul IncRacine, WIGeneral operating support$54K
Marquette UniversityMilwaukee, WIGeneral operating support$50K
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wi IncMilwaukee, WIGeneral operating support$50K
Saint Francis de Sales Seminary (the Salesianum Trust)St Francis, WICapital campaign$50K
Catholic Memorial High SchoolWaukesha, WIGeneral operating support$50K
Nativity Jesuit Catholic School AcademyMilwaukee, WIGeneral operating support$50K
Saint Francis de Sales SeminarySt Francis, WIGeneral operating support$40K
Archdiocese of Milwaukee Inc (combined Collections)Milwaukee, WIGeneral operating support$30K
World Craniofacial FoundationDallas, TXGeneral operating support$30K
Nourish Farms IncSheboygan, WIGeneral operating support$30K
St Dominic ParishSheboygan, WIGeneral operating support$30K
St Jude Childrens Research Hospital IncMemphis, TNGeneral operating support$30K
Notre Dame School of MilwaukeeWest Milwaukee, WIGeneral operating support$30K
Messmer High SchoolMilwaukee, WIGeneral operating support$25K
Dogsinvests IncPalmyra, WIGeneral operating support$25K
The Cathedral of St John the EvangelistMilwaukee, WIGeneral operating support$25K
Common HopeSt Paul, MNGeneral operating support$20K
Santa Fe Communications Inc (heart of the Nation)Milwaukee, WIGeneral operating support$20K
Family Resource Center of Sheboygan County IncPlymouth, WIGeneral operating support$20K
Make a Wish FoundationAppleton, WIGeneral operating support$20K
Meals on Wheels of Sheboygan County IncSheboygan, WIGeneral operating support$20K
Open Door Cafe (the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist)Milwaukee, WIGeneral operating support$20K
Project Angel HugsPlymouth, WIGeneral operating support$20K
Safe Harbor of Sheboygan IncSheboygan, WIGeneral operating support$20K
The Salvation Army SheboyganSheboygan, WIGeneral operating support$20K
Wisconsin Humane SocietyMilwaukee, WIGeneral operating support$20K
Disabled American VeteransCold Spring, KYGeneral operating support$10K
Focus on the FamilyColorado Springs, COGeneral operating support$10K
Food Allergy Research & Education IncMcLean, VAGeneral operating support$10K
Lakeshore Community Health CareSheboygan, WIGeneral operating support$10K
Milwaukee Academy of ScienceMilwaukee, WIGeneral operating support$10K
Sharon S Richardson Community Hospice IncSheboygan Falls, WIGeneral operating support$10K
Sheboygan County Historical Society & MuseumSheboygan, WIGeneral operating support$10K
Sherman Phoenix Foundation IncMilwaukee, WIGeneral operating support$10K
St Joan Antida High SchoolMilwaukee, WIGeneral operating support$10K
St Joseph's Tool ChestNew Berlin, WIGeneral operating support$10K
United Community Center IncMilwaukee, WIGeneral operating support$10K
John C Campbell Folk SchoolBrasstown, NCGeneral operating support$5,000
Maywood Ecological Center (environmental Park Trust of Sheboygan County)Sheboygan, WIGeneral operating support$5,000
New Berlin Food Pantry IncNew Berlin, WIGeneral operating support$5,000
St Vincent de Paul Society of WaukeshaWaukesha, WIGeneral operating support$5,000

By state: Wisconsin 39 · California 1 · Texas 1 · Tennessee 1 · Minnesota 1 · Kentucky 1

About this foundation

Merkel Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking foundation in Brookfield, Wisconsin, tax-exempt since 1988. 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 Merkel Foundation Inc accept grant applications?

No. On its 2024 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 Merkel Foundation Inc give each year?

In tax year 2024 it paid $2.3M across 47 grants, a median of $20K.

Where does Merkel Foundation Inc give?

Wisconsin (39 grants), California (1 grants), Texas (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Brookfield that accept applications

All in Wisconsin
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
Pleasant T Rowland Foundationsince 2000 Brookfield, WI $9.2M113 grants · 2025 $12KYes $82M
Herman W Ladish Family Foundation Incsince 1957 Brookfield, WI $415K13 grants · 2024 $10KYes $11M
Kolaga Family Charitable Trustsince 1977 Brookfield, WI $139K33 grants · 2025 $2,000Yes $4.6M
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