Merck Foundation a New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation
Accepts applications
Merck Foundation a New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation is a private foundation in Rahway, New Jersey. In tax year 2025 it gave $29.1 million in 74 grants; the typical grant was $148,859 and the largest $10.1 million. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$29.1 million
- Number of grants74
- Typical grant$148,859
- Largest grant$10.1 million
- Assets$338 million
- New grantees37%
Giving in 2025 was up from $25.4 million the year before.
37% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $24.3 million | 55 | $316 million |
| 2024 | $25.4 million | 78 | $328 million |
| 2025 | $29.1 million | 74 | $338 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Leslie Hardy 126 E Lincoln, Rahway, NJ 07065 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (732) 594-4000 |
| What to submit | Requests may be submitted by letter containing a brief summary of the organization including documentation of its federal tax-exempt status objectives of the project and means for accomplishing the goal the budget sources of other funding and amount of the grant request. Evidence of a sound program competent leadership and the ability to accomplish objectives must be shown. |
| Restrictions | Requests are evaluated on the basis of relevance to the philanthropic priorities of the Merck Company Foundation the interests of Merck & Co. Inc. the location of its major facilities and the concerns of its employees. Grants are not made to political labor or sectarian groups nor for endowments publications or media productions. Except within Foundation programs grants are not given for scholarships fellowships or to individuals |
What Merck Foundation a New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 17 states, the most to New Jersey.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 15 | $12.7 million |
| Maryland | 2 | $2.9 million |
| New Mexico | 2 | $2.2 million |
| District of Columbia | 3 | $1.9 million |
| Pennsylvania | 15 | $1.6 million |
| Virginia | 6 | $1.5 million |
| Georgia | 2 | $1.1 million |
| Illinois | 3 | $1.0 million |
| California | 9 | $925,000 |
| Massachusetts | 5 | $544,864 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Partnership for Giving matching gifts | Contribution provided | $10.1 million |
| The Childrens Inn at NIH | Contribution provided | $2.8 million |
| University of New MexicoExempt | Contribution provided | $1.9 million |
| United Nations Foundation Inc | Contribution provided | $1.0 million |
| American Cancer Society | Contribution provided | $790,851 |
| Medical College of Virginia Foundation | Contribution provided | $657,573 |
| Johns Hopkins University | Contribution provided | $627,869 |
| American National Red Cross | Contribution provided | $600,000 |
| Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center OSBI | Contribution provided | $400,000 |
| University of Kentucky Research Foundation | Contribution provided | $399,960 |
| Case Western Reserve University | Contribution provided | $399,870 |
| Boston Medical Center Corporation | Contribution provided | $399,864 |
| Conquer Cancer Foundation of the American Society of Clinical Oncology | Contribution provided | $388,145 |
| Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center | Contribution provided | $384,953 |
| Saint Barnabas Health Care System Foundation | Contribution provided | $350,210 |
| Foundation for Black Womens Wellness | Contribution provided | $350,000 |
| Gallup Community Health | Contribution provided | $350,000 |
| New Hanover Community Health Center Inc DBA MedNorth Health Center | Contribution provided | $350,000 |
| Providence Medical Foundation | Contribution provided | $350,000 |
| University of Chicago | Contribution provided | $350,000 |
| UPMC Center for HighValue Health Care | Contribution provided | $350,000 |
| Capital Health System Inc | Contribution provided | $350,000 |
| Georgia State University Research Foundation Inc | Contribution provided | $350,000 |
| La Clinica del Pueblo Inc | Contribution provided | $350,000 |
| Public Health Institute | Contribution provided | $350,000 |
| Zufall Health Center Inc | Contribution provided | $350,000 |
| Rutgers the State University | Contribution provided | $287,899 |
| National Comprehensive Cancer Network Inc | Contribution provided | $266,153 |
| Cornerstone Christian Academy | Contribution provided | $250,000 |
| New Jersey Performing Arts Center | Contribution provided | $250,000 |
| New Jersey Symphony Orchestra | Contribution provided | $200,000 |
| The Foundation for Delaware County | Contribution provided | $163,211 |
| I Be Black Girl | Contribution provided | $150,000 |
| Kimmel Center Inc | Contribution provided | $150,000 |
| Rutgers the State University | Contribution provided | $150,000 |
| Tigerlily Foundation | Contribution provided | $150,000 |
| YWCA Northern New Jersey | Contribution provided | $150,000 |
| Community Volunteers in Medicine | Contribution provided | $147,718 |
| Trenton Health Team Inc | Contribution provided | $145,687 |
| Trinitas Foundation | Contribution provided | $135,748 |
Officers and trustees
- Zachary Jennifer
- Grez Kelly E W
- Allison Goldberg
- Dillane Timothy
- Ettelman Karen
- Filderman Jon
- Gary Henningsen
- Hardy Leslie
- Melissa Leonard
- Swartwood Robert
- Wildasin Anthony
- Walker Mark
Questions people ask
Does Merck Foundation a New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications.
How much does Merck Foundation a New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation give?
$29.1 million in tax year 2025, across 74 grants, with a typical grant of $148,859.
Who runs Merck Foundation a New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation?
Its 2025 filing lists Zachary Jennifer (Chairperson of the Board), Grez Kelly E W (Secretary), Allison Goldberg (President) and Dillane Timothy (Assistant Treasurer) among 12 officers and trustees.
What does Merck Foundation a New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly health, education and youth programs.