Harry A Merlo Foundation Inc
Accepts applications
Harry A Merlo Foundation Inc is a private foundation in Hillsboro, Oregon. In tax year 2025 it gave $1.0 million in 29 grants; the typical grant was $25,000 and the largest $200,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$1.0 million
- Number of grants29
- Typical grant$25,000
- Largest grant$200,000
- Assets$49.3 million
- New grantees41%
Giving in 2025 was down from $1.1 million the year before.
41% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1.1 million | 44 | $45.9 million |
| 2025 | $1.0 million | 29 | $49.3 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Hillary Harrah 2250 NE 25th Avenue, Hillsboro, OR 97124 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (503) 648-6403, hillary.harrah@merlofoundation.org |
| What to submit | See website for grant application process. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Harry A Merlo Foundation Inc funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 6 states, the most to Oregon.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 21 | $638,942 |
| California | 4 | $270,000 |
| Washington | 1 | $50,000 |
| Georgia | 1 | $30,000 |
| Wyoming | 1 | $10,000 |
| Colorado | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital | Capital campaign pledge 2025-2029 | $200,000 |
| Body Vox | Program operations for children's low cost dance classes | $131,500 |
| Eastern Oregon University Foundation | College of business agriculture entrepreneurship program support fund | $100,000 |
| Hope for the Homeless Foundation | General program support to solve the homeless problem | $100,000 |
| Lighthouse Financial Foundation | Three year pledge (2024-2026) savings education program | $50,000 |
| Paws for Purple Hearts | Program support for canine training to assist veterans | $50,000 |
| Great Medorg | General program support | $35,000 |
| Ranger's Scholarship Fund | Program to award scholarships to ranger family members | $30,000 |
| Music Workshop | Support to improve equity in arts education by providing free, quality music education | $27,800 |
| Catholic School Endownment Fund | Tuition grant program to catholic schools | $25,000 |
| Junior Achievement of Oregon & SW Washington Biz Town | Capital for westside expansion into hillsboro, or | $25,000 |
| Oregon Jouralism Project | Start up and operational support for investigative journalism newsroom | $25,000 |
| Ohsu Foundation | Knight cancer institute - leukemia research program | $25,000 |
| St Anthony's Catholic School | Capital construction pledge 2022-2025 | $25,000 |
| Friend Firefighter International | Sponsorship for the erwin warren friend firefighter camp | $25,000 |
| Community for A Thriving Oregon | Operational support | $20,000 |
| My Voice Music | Support programs for songwriting, recording & performing for young people 8-24 | $15,000 |
| Play It Forward | Program support for musical instruments for children | $10,817 |
| Carmilite Monastery | Chapel construction | $10,000 |
| Catholic Charities | Caritas community housing - the annex project | $10,000 |
| Freedom Foundation | General program support and event sponsorship | $10,000 |
| Oregon Historical Society | Operational support | $10,000 |
| Sonoma Valley Fire District | Operational support | $10,000 |
| Sunrise Rotary Club of Healdsburg Foundation | Drew esquivel memorial scholarship fund | $10,000 |
| Our Giving Table | Operational support for meals for underprivileged and at risk youth. | $10,000 |
| Scappoose High School | Support for weight room improvements | $5,000 |
| Porter Billups Leadership Academy | Operational support for regis university college prep program | $5,000 |
| Dove Lewis | Hospital expansion - wood wall installation | $3,325 |
| Kids N' Tennis | Harry a merlo sportsmanship award, oregon state tennis championship | $500 |
Officers and trustees
- Florence Newton
- Harry A Merlo Jr
- John L Blackwell
Questions people ask
Does Harry A Merlo Foundation Inc accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications.
How much does Harry A Merlo Foundation Inc give?
$1.0 million in tax year 2025, across 29 grants, with a typical grant of $25,000.
Who runs Harry A Merlo Foundation Inc?
Its 2025 filing lists Florence Newton (Director/Trustee), Harry A Merlo Jr (Director/Trustee) and John L Blackwell (Director/Trustee).
What does Harry A Merlo Foundation Inc fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, health and arts and culture.