Home/Foundations/Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation

Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation

EIN: 13-7231616 • Sioux Falls, SD
Total Assets
$242.3M
Foundation endowment scale
Annual Giving
$53.8M
Annual capital distribution
Typical Grant
$15,000
Most grants: $10K – $400K
Application Status
Invitation Only
Rolling review

About Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation Grantmaking

Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation is an institutional grantmaking foundation headquartered in Sioux Falls, SD (EIN: 13-7231616). According to verified IRS Form 990-PF filings, the foundation maintains $242.3M in total assets and distributed $53.8M across 33 grants. Its typical award size is $15,000, with the middle 50% of awards falling between $10K and $400K. Its primary funding focus includes International Affairs (51%), Philanthropy & Grantmaking (44%), Human Services & Relief (3%), with the highest concentration of grants awarded in NY (94%) and FL (4%).

Top Funded Causes% Capital
International Affairs51%
$1.1M deployed3 awards
Philanthropy & Grantmaking44%
$990K deployed6 awards
Human Services & Relief3%
$70K deployed2 awards
Education & Literacy2%
$35K deployed2 awards
Food & Agriculture1%
$30K deployed2 awards
Top Recipient States% Dollars
NY State Recipients94%
$53.6M funded19 grants
FL State Recipients4%
$2M funded4 grants
VA State Recipients2%
$1.1M funded3 grants
SD State Recipients0%
$70K funded5 grants
PA State Recipients0%
$70K funded2 grants
Grant Size DistributionAward Scale
Major Grants ($100K+)33%
11 large institutional grants
Mid-Sized ($25K–$100K)18%
6 standard program grants
Micro & Small (<$25K)48%
16 grassroots micro-awards
Application Guidelines & DeadlinesPublic Filing Data
Application Policy
Invitation Only / Preselected Grantees
Submission Deadlines

Quarterly review cycles. Applications accepted continuously.

Geographic Focus & Restrictions

Priority given to organizations registered and operating in SD or regional districts.

Program Officer & Direct Contacts

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Recent Grant AwardsShowing 5 of 33 verified awards
Recipient OrganizationLocationTax YearAward AmountGrant Purpose
Tunnels to TowersStaten Island, NY2024$52,143,750To further the donee's exempt purpose in accordance with donee's mission statement
Pines FoundationSarasota, FL2024$1,000,000General purposes
Freedom AllianceWinchester, VA2024$400,000$200,000 to students scholarship program; $150,000 to support our troops program; $25,000 to student outreach project; $15,000 to gifts from home care packages; $10,000 to presents for patriots
Hope for New YorkNew York, NY2024$200,000$20,000 to avail nyc; $20,000 to city relief; $10,000 to don't walk by; $20,000 to expect hope; $10,000 to his toy store; $20,000 to new beginnings; $10,000 to operations exodus; $10,000 to shiloh nyc; $20,000 to the bowery mission; $20,000 to the father's heart ministries; $10,000 to youth for christ; $20,000 to teen challenge; $10,000 for volunteer's fund
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind INCSmithtown, NY2024$15,000General purposes
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Unlock All 33 Grants & Program Officer Contacts

See every recipient Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation funded over recent filings, get verified decision-maker phone lines, and evaluate your funding match score.

Frequently Asked Questions about Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation

Does Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation accept unsolicited grant proposals?

Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and primarily funds preselected organizations. Direct unsolicited applications are not currently reviewed.

What is the typical grant size from Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation?

The median grant size from Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation is $15,000, with the middle 50% of awards ranging between $10K and $400K.

What causes does Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation fund?

Over recent Form 990-PF filings, Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation's primary funding areas have been International Affairs, Philanthropy & Grantmaking, Human Services & Relief.

How do I contact Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation about a grant?

Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation is headquartered in Sioux Falls, SD. Verified NPO Grant subscribers can access direct program officer telephone extensions, primary office numbers, and detailed submission guidelines.