About Harry A Merlo Foundation
The Harry A Merlo Foundation shows concentrated giving toward community housing needs, demonstrated by a single large grant to Catholic Charities for community housing projects. Its support appears targeted to faith-affiliated social service providers addressing local housing and homelessness issues rather than broad diversified philanthropy.
Focus Areas
Community housing and affordable housing initiativesFaith-based social service delivery (Catholic-affiliated organizations)Support for local/regional homelessness prevention and housing projects
Who They Fund
children and K–12 students (including preschool)underserved/low-income familiesunhoused individualsrural communitiesveteranscollege and community college students (scholarship/internship recipients)
Giving Approach
About Harry A Merlo Foundation
Harry a Merlo Foundation Inc’s recent giving is anchored by a $125,000 grant to Catholic Charities for community housing projects, a signal that housing and homelessness-related work sits near the center of its grantmaking. The foundation’s pattern is not broad, undifferentiated philanthropy; it supports organizations that deliver direct services or build facilities in ways tied to housing, health, education, and other community needs. Recent awards also show repeated support for Portland-area nonprofits, including Hope for the Homeless Foundation and Catholic Charities, alongside larger commitments in Oregon and nearby states. Beyond housing, the foundation has funded capital campaigns, program support, and pledged giving for organizations such as De La Salle North Catholic and the University of Portland. That mix suggests a preference for practical, project-linked support rather than unrestricted grants alone. The grants list also includes animal welfare, conservation, medical care, and scholarship-related awards, but the overall profile remains concentrated and regionally focused, with Oregon recipients appearing often and a strong share of grants staying in the foundation’s home state.
What Harry A Merlo Foundation Funds
Community and supportive housing appears as a central theme. In 2025, the foundation gave $100,000 to Hope for the Homeless Foundation for general program support to solve the homeless problem, and $50,000 to Catholic Charities for Caritas Community Housing - The Annex Project. Faith-linked service providers are also prominent, including a $25,000 grant to Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother for capital construction. Education support shows up through institution-specific awards such as $100,000 to Eastern Oregon University Foundation for the College of Business Agriculture Entrepreneurship Program Support Fund and $50,000 to Imbler Education Foundation for a track improvement capital project. The foundation also backed youth-centered access through $27,800 to Music Workshop to improve equity in arts education by providing free, quality music education.
How Harry A Merlo Foundation Gives
Grant sizes cluster around mid-range awards, with a typical pattern of p25 at $10,000, median at $25,000, and p75 at $50,000. Recent giving includes both one-time grants and pledged support, such as multi-year commitments tied to capital projects and program support. The foundation’s grant programs are invitation-based rather than open to unsolicited proposals, and several listed programs emphasize capital projects, capacity building, equipment, and program growth. The overall structure spans operating support, program-specific support, scholarships, and construction-oriented funding, indicating a mix of recurring institutional relationships and project-based awards.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$1M
Total Assets
$35.5M
Total Revenue
$1.2M
Total Expenses
$1.8M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $10K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
Geographic Reach
Regional10 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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