Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation C/O Dianne R Stadtfeld Sdtc
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About Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation C/O Dianne R Stadtfeld Sdtc
The Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation concentrates its giving on a small set of repeat grantees, with a pronounced emphasis on supporting military, first‑responder and veteran causes as well as Christian faith‑based urban social services. A very large share of the foundation’s assets is directed in a handful of sizable gifts (notably to Tunnels to Towers), while smaller repeated grants support neighborhood ministries and programmatic relief in New York City. Grants are often unrestricted or for general purposes, indicating a preference for flexible operating support to trusted organizations.
Focus Areas
Support for military, veterans, first responders and families (e.g., Tunnels to Towers, Freedom Alliance)Faith‑based urban relief and neighborhood ministries in New York City (e.g., Hope for New York and its partner programs)General operating and program support for longstanding nonprofit partnersGrantmaking to conservative/heritage organizations (inferred from repeated support of groups advancing American heritage and related causes)
Who They Fund
New York's most marginalized residentshomeless individualsat-risk youth / youth in crisis
About Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation C/O Dianne R Stadtfeld Sdtc
A single 2025 grant of $52,143,750 to Tunnels to Towers anchors the Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation C/o Dianne R Stadtfeld Sdtc LLC’s recent giving and signals the scale at which it supports military-, veteran-, and first responder-related work. The foundation’s other largest commitments cluster around organizations serving New York City and Florida, including repeated seven-figure support for Pines Foundation and substantial grants to Hope for New York and Freedom Alliance. Across those relationships, the foundation shows a preference for longstanding nonprofit partners rather than one-off experiments. Its recent grants also show a clear tilt toward flexible support. Many awards are described as general operating support, general purposes, or furthering an organization’s exempt purpose, which suggests that the foundation often funds core activities instead of narrowly defined projects. At the same time, it also makes targeted grants for scholarships, outreach, home care packages, and services for homeless individuals. The result is a grantmaking profile that combines very large strategic commitments with smaller recurring awards to community-based and mission-aligned organizations.
What Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation C/O Dianne R Stadtfeld Sdtc Funds
Military, veteran, and troop-support work is one of the foundation’s clearest priorities. In 2025, it gave $400,000 to Freedom Alliance, including $200,000 for the students scholarship program, $150,000 for Support Our Troops, and additional amounts for outreach and care packages. Faith-based urban relief is another recurring theme. Hope for New York received $500,000 in 2023, $250,000 in 2024, and $200,000 in 2025, with the stated purpose of serving New York’s most marginalized residents, including at-risk youth and the homeless. The foundation also supports services for people experiencing homelessness. Back on My Feet received $40,000 in 2024 and $30,000 in 2023 to provide supports for homeless individuals. In education, Florida Southwestern State College Foundation received $20,000 in 2024 and $15,000 in 2023.
How Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation C/O Dianne R Stadtfeld Sdtc Gives
Typical grant size sits at $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $140,000 at the 75th percentile, showing a mix of modest awards and larger commitments. The recent record includes repeated grants to the same organizations across 2023, 2024, and 2025, especially for ongoing partners in New York, Florida, and veteran-serving work. The foundation appears to rely heavily on flexible support terms such as general operating support, general purposes, and exempt-purpose language. It also accepts unsolicited applications for several of its listed U.S. programs.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$57M
Total Assets
$665.6M
Total Revenue
$1.3M
Total Expenses
$55.3M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $15K and $140K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$140K
Geographic Reach
National5 states funded
About 13% of grants go to recipients in FL.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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