The Merchant Family Foundation concentrates its modest giving on education and local food-security efforts in the Portland area. Most dollars go to student support for private and community college education (including scholarships) and to frontline hunger-relief programs serving seniors and low-income households. Grants tend to be mid-sized and targeted rather than broad institutional support.
A small, concentrated portfolio of a few mid-sized grants (typically $10K–$25K) focused heavily on education scholarship funding and local food/hunger programs; occasional repeat funding to the same institution (Hillsdale).
A defining feature of Merchant Family Foundation’s recent grantmaking is its repeated support for student scholarships, alongside targeted help for hunger relief and private-school education. The foundation’s largest recent grant, $25,000, went to Victory Academy for general support, showing that it does make larger operating grants when a recipient fits its priorities. Scholarship support appears across several years and institutions. Hillsdale College received $10,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for student scholarships, while Portland Community College Foundation and Clackamas Community College Foundation also received scholarship funding. That pattern sits alongside grants to organizations serving practical needs in the Portland area, including Meals on Wheels and Oregon Food Bank. The foundation also funded a mix of community-based and education-related organizations such as Young Life Portland West, Financial Beginnings, and Linfield University. Recent grants show a small foundation with concentrated giving: most awards are modest, tightly directed, and often tied to scholarships, general support, or direct service programs.
Education is the clearest throughline in Merchant Family Foundation’s giving. In 2025, it gave $5,000 to Portland Community College Foundation for student scholarships, and in 2023 it gave $10,000 to Clackamas Community College Foundation for the same purpose. Private education also appears in the record: Victory Academy received $25,000 for general support. The foundation also supports student scholarships at private colleges. Hillsdale College received $10,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025, all labeled student scholarships. Outside education, the foundation funds food security and meal delivery. Oregon Food Bank received $10,000 in 2025 for general support, while Meals on Wheels received $10,000 in 2023, $5,000 in 2025, and $2,000 in 2024. It also backed other community-serving groups such as Medical Teams International and Assistance League of Portland.
Merchant Family Foundation’s typical grant size is $1,000 at the 25th percentile, $2,000 at the median, and $5,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent record shows a foundation that mostly makes small to mid-sized grants, with a few larger awards such as $25,000 to Victory Academy and $10,000 scholarships to several organizations. Giving also appears recurrent rather than one-off in some cases: Hillsdale College received support in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Meals on Wheels appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and Young Life Portland West was funded in both 2023 and 2025. The foundation does not fund individuals and makes no program-related investments.
$188K
$394K
$157K
$87K
Most grants fall between $1K and $5K, with a median of $2K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$2K
75th Percentile
$5K
About 66% of grants go to recipients in CA.
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Notable grantees: Victory Academy, Hillsdale College, Oregon Food Bank, Clackamas Community College Foundation, Meals on Wheels
Merchant Family Foundation’s grantmaking is regional and heavily centered in Oregon. Recipients in Oregon account for 66% of grants, and Portland shows up often through organizations such as Meals on Wheels, Oregon Food Bank, Financial Beginnings, and Medical Teams International. The foundation also gives outside its headquarters state, with California appearing in the grant record through San Mateo and San Francisco recipients, and Washington through Seattle-area and Spokane-area organizations. Recent non-Oregon grants include Penninsula Family Services in San Mateo, Ocean Cleanup North Pacific Foundation in San Francisco, and Community Cancer Fund in Spokane. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
The foundation’s record centers on student scholarships, private K–12 education, local food security, and senior nutrition. Recent grants include scholarship support for colleges and community colleges, general support for food banks and meal delivery, and operating support for private education programs.
Yes. Some recipients appear across multiple years. Hillsdale College received scholarship grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Meals on Wheels appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Young Life Portland West was funded in 2023 and again in 2025.
The grant-size distribution is small to mid-sized: $1,000 at the 25th percentile, $2,000 at the median, and $5,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also includes larger grants, including $25,000 and several $10,000 awards.
Its grantmaking is regional, with Oregon recipients making up 66% of grants. Portland is a frequent recipient city, and the record also includes organizations in Tualatin, Oregon City, Beaverton, Tigard, Corvallis, Tillamook, and McMinnville.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals. Its giving in the record goes to schools, scholarship foundations, food-security groups, and other nonprofit organizations.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HILLSDALE COLLEGE | HILLSDALE, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS |
| OREGON FOOD BANK | PORTLAND, OR | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| YOUNG LIFE PORTLAND WEST | PORTLAND, OR | $10,000 | 2025 | STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS |
| KHESED CHURCH | VANCOUVER, WA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FINANCIAL BEGINNINGS | PORTLAND, OR | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | PORTLAND, OR | $5,000 | 2025 | STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS |
| MEDICAL TEAMS INTERNATIONAL | PORTLAND, OR | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OCEAN CLEANUP NORTH PACIFIC FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMPREHENSIVE RISK REDUCTION FOUNDATION | BATTLE GROUND, WA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MEALS ON WHEELS | PORTLAND, OR | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF PORTLAND | BEAVERTON, OR | $3,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PENNINSULA FAMILY SERVICES | SAN MATEO, CA | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST MARY'S FOOD BANK | PHOENIX, AZ | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HATCHERY & WILD COEXIST | TILAMOOK, OR | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| U OF O FOUNDATION - WOMEN IN FLIGHT | EUGENE, OR | $1,000 | 2025 | STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS |
| RISE CHURCH | TIGARD, OR | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WINTER HOSPITALITY OVERFLOW | VANCOUVER, WA | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LINFIELD UNIVERSITY | MCMINNVILLE, OR | $1,000 | 2025 | STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS |
| THE COLLECTIVE CHURCH | TIGARD, OR | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TILLAMOOK ESTUARIES PARTNERSHIP | GARIBALDI, OR | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY CANCER FUND | SPOKANE, WA | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VICTORY ACADEMY | TUALATIN, OR | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HILLSDALE COLLEGE | HILLSDALE, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS |
| YOUNG LIFE PORTLAND WEST | PORTLAND, OR | $6,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY CANCER FUND | SPOKANE, WA | $5,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OSU HALE ROCKET TEAM AIAA CO OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | CORVALLIS, OR | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MEALS ON WHEELS | PORTLAND, OR | $2,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| U OF O FOUNDATION - WOMEN IN FLIGHT | EUGENE, OR | $1,000 | 2024 | STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS |
| ROSE CHURCH | PORTLAND, OR | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LUIS PALAU ASSOCIATION | PORTLAND, OR | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MEDICAL TEAMS INTERNATIONAL | PORTLAND, OR | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HATCHERY & WILD COEXIST | TILAMOOK, OR | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMPREHENSIVE RISK REDUCTION FOUNDATION | BATTLE GROUND, WA | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PACIFIC UNIVERSITY | FOREST GROVE, OR | $1,000 | 2024 | STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS |
| MEALS ON WHEELS | PORTLAND, OR | $10,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CLACKAMAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | OREGON CITY, OR | $10,000 | 2023 | STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS |
| HILLSDALE COLLEGE | HILLSDALE, MI | $10,000 | 2023 | STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS |
| MEDICAL TEAMS INTERNATIONAL | PORTLAND, OR | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY CANCER FUND | SPOKANE, WA | $2,500 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WITH LOVE - OREGON | TIGARD, OR | $1,500 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RISE CHURCH | TIGARD, OR | $1,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| YOUNG LIFE PORTLAND WEST | PORTLAND, OR | $1,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HAMILTON COLLEGE | CLINTON, NY | $1,000 | 2023 | STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS |
| OCEAN CLEANUP NORTH PACIFIC FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOWARD UNIVERSITY | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000 | 2023 | STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS |
| U OF O FOUNDATION - WOMEN IN FLIGHT | EUGENE, OR | $1,000 | 2023 | STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS |
| NORTH COAST SALMON STEELHEAD FUND | TILLAMOOK, OR | $1,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
HILLSDALE COLLEGE
$10,000STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
OREGON FOOD BANK
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
YOUNG LIFE PORTLAND WEST
$10,000STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
KHESED CHURCH
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FINANCIAL BEGINNINGS
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$5,000STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
MEDICAL TEAMS INTERNATIONAL
GENERAL SUPPORT
OCEAN CLEANUP NORTH PACIFIC FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COMPREHENSIVE RISK REDUCTION FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MEALS ON WHEELS
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF PORTLAND
$3,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PENNINSULA FAMILY SERVICES
$2,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST MARY'S FOOD BANK
$2,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HATCHERY & WILD COEXIST
$2,000GENERAL SUPPORT
U OF O FOUNDATION - WOMEN IN FLIGHT
$1,000STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
RISE CHURCH
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WINTER HOSPITALITY OVERFLOW
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LINFIELD UNIVERSITY
$1,000STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
THE COLLECTIVE CHURCH
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TILLAMOOK ESTUARIES PARTNERSHIP
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COMMUNITY CANCER FUND
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
VICTORY ACADEMY
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HILLSDALE COLLEGE
$10,000STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
YOUNG LIFE PORTLAND WEST
$6,500GENERAL SUPPORT
COMMUNITY CANCER FUND
$5,500GENERAL SUPPORT
OSU HALE ROCKET TEAM AIAA CO OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MEALS ON WHEELS
$2,000GENERAL SUPPORT
U OF O FOUNDATION - WOMEN IN FLIGHT
$1,000STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
ROSE CHURCH
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LUIS PALAU ASSOCIATION
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MEDICAL TEAMS INTERNATIONAL
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HATCHERY & WILD COEXIST
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COMPREHENSIVE RISK REDUCTION FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
$1,000STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
MEALS ON WHEELS
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CLACKAMAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$10,000STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
HILLSDALE COLLEGE
$10,000STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
MEDICAL TEAMS INTERNATIONAL
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COMMUNITY CANCER FUND
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
WITH LOVE - OREGON
$1,500GENERAL SUPPORT
RISE CHURCH
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
YOUNG LIFE PORTLAND WEST
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HAMILTON COLLEGE
$1,000STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
OCEAN CLEANUP NORTH PACIFIC FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HOWARD UNIVERSITY
$1,000STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
U OF O FOUNDATION - WOMEN IN FLIGHT
$1,000STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
NORTH COAST SALMON STEELHEAD FUND
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT