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Foundations / Pennsylvania

Merwin Foundation

Preselected recipients only Erie, Pennsylvania · EIN 256060860

Merwin Foundation is a private foundation in Erie, Pennsylvania. In tax year 2024 it gave $398,500 in 16 grants; the typical grant was $17,500 and the largest $100,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.

From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.

Giving in 2024 was up from $378,500 the year before.

25% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.

Giving by year

Tax yearGrants paidNumber of grantsAssets
2023$378,50020$7.4 million
2024$398,50016$8.5 million

How to apply

Merwin Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.

IRS filings on ProPublica

What Merwin Foundation funds

Where it gives

Its grants went to recipients in 2 states, the most to Pennsylvania.

StateGrantsAmount
Pennsylvania15$396,500
Florida1$2,000

Grants paid in 2024

All 16 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
Erie Zoological Society
Erie, PA
Unrestricted$100,000
Success Through Sport
Erie, PA
Unrestricted$60,000
Erie Philharmonic
Erie, PA
Unrestricted$40,000
Boys and Girls Club
Erie, PA
Unrestricted$30,000
Erie City Mission
Erie, PA
Unrestricted$30,000
Children's Advocacy Center
Erie, PA
Unrestricted$20,000
Meals on Wheels Erie
Erie, PA
Unrestricted$20,000
Sight Center of NW Pa
Erie, PA
Unrestricted$20,000
Aces
Erie, PA
Unrestricted$15,000
Neighborhood Art House
Erie, PA
Unrestricted$15,000
Mercy Center for Women
Erie, PA
Unrestricted$15,000
American Heart Association
Erie, PA
Unrestricted$10,000
St Martin Center
Erie, PA
Unrestricted$10,000
Sarah A Reed Children's Center
Erie, PA
Unrestricted$10,000
Robert Irvine Foundation
Tampa, FL
Unrestricted$2,000
West Lake Fire Department
Erie, PA
Unrestricted$1,500

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2024 filing.

Questions people ask

Does Merwin Foundation accept grant applications?

No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.

How much does Merwin Foundation give?

$398,500 in tax year 2024, across 16 grants, with a typical grant of $17,500.

Who runs Merwin Foundation?

Its 2024 filing lists Richard A Merwin (Pres./Treas/), James R Walczak (Asst Sec/Dir) and James E Spoden (Sec/Dir).

What does Merwin Foundation fund?

Based on its grants, mainly youth programs, arts and culture and community development.

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