The Merkel Foundation predominantly supports Catholic institutions (parishes, archdiocese appeals, seminaries and Catholic schools) alongside health and humanitarian causes both locally in southeastern Wisconsin and internationally. Large gifts fund capital campaigns, parish operations, Catholic education, and health-related missions, while a secondary stream supports community health centers, children’s hospitals, and youth programs. They favor established institutional grantees over small one-off projects, including recurring grants to the same organizations. The mix shows a religious/faith-based philanthropic identity combined with interest in healthcare, youth development, and international service projects.
Merkel Foundation Inc. makes some of its largest recent gifts to Catholic institutions, with a 2025 grant of $401,187 to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Inc. for the Catholic Stewardship Appeal and $99,822 to Holy Apostles Catholic Parish for general operating support. That pattern is reinforced by support for parishes, seminaries, and Catholic schools, alongside health and humanitarian organizations. The foundation also backed Saint Francis De Sales Seminary with both a $50,194 capital-campaign gift and a $40,155 operating grant, and it gave $50,194 to Marquette University. Its grant list shows a steady preference for established organizations that can absorb operating or campaign support rather than short-term project funding. Within Catholic giving, the foundation supports parish stewardship, seminary development, and school operations; outside that circle, it also funds community health centers, children’s health, food access, and service organizations. The mix of grants suggests a philanthropy shaped by faith-based institutions, local community needs in southeastern Wisconsin, and selected international service work. Several recipients appear more than once, which points to ongoing relationships rather than isolated awards.
Catholic institutions are central to the foundation’s giving. In 2025, it awarded $84,898 to St Dominic Parish in Brookfield for general operating support and $53,610 to Community of St Paul Inc in Racine for the same purpose. It also supported The Cathedral of St John the Evangelist with $25,000 and Heart of the Nation through Santa Fe Communications Inc with $20,078. Education is another clear theme. The foundation gave $49,732 to Nativity Jesuit Catholic School Academy and the same amount to Catholic Memorial High School, both for general operating support, and it backed Notre Dame School of Milwaukee with $29,947. In youth and family services, it funded Sheboygan Youth Sailing Club Inc with $99,464, Project Angel Hugs with $20,000, and Family Resource Center of Sheboygan County Inc with $20,000. Health-related support includes $250,726 to Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers and $50,194 to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wi Inc.
The foundation’s recent grants cluster in a wide band, from $20,000 at the lower end of the top 30 list to $451,381 at the top. Most awards are for general operating support, with a smaller number for capital campaign work such as the $50,194 gift to Saint Francis De Sales Seminary. The recipient list includes multiple repeat grantees in 2025, including the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Inc, Saint Francis De Sales Seminary, and St Dominic Parish, which indicates ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards. Merkel Foundation Inc is a private foundation and does not make program-related investments.
$2.3M
$56.1M
$8.3M
$2.4M
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Concentrated giving with several very large grants accounting for a big share of dollars; recurring support to institutional grantees (archdiocese, local parishes, seminary, select health organizations); mix of multi‑year/capital campaign gifts and program/support grants; geographic focus on southeastern Wisconsin with some international humanitarian grants.
Notable grantees: Global Brigades Inc, Archdiocese of Milwaukee Inc (Catholic Stewardship Appeal), Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers, Saint Francis de Sales Seminary (The Salesianum Trust), Sheboygan Youth Sailing Club Inc
Grant recipients are concentrated in the United States, with 47 grants and 100% of the listed recent awards going to U.S. organizations. Milwaukee is the most common city in the recent list, joined by Brookfield, Sheboygan, New Berlin, Racine, Waukesha, West Milwaukee, and St Francis in Wisconsin. Outside Wisconsin, the foundation also funded organizations in Fresno, Dallas, Memphis, St Paul, and Appleton. The pattern shows a strong Wisconsin presence, especially in southeastern Wisconsin and Sheboygan, with a small number of grants reaching other states.
The recent grants show a strong emphasis on Catholic institutions, including parishes, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, a seminary, and Catholic schools. The foundation also supports health and humanitarian groups such as Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wi Inc, Make a Wish Foundation, and St Jude Childrens Research Hospital Inc.
Most of the recent awards are listed as general operating support. One clear exception in the top grants is Saint Francis De Sales Seminary, which received a capital campaign grant of $50,194, alongside a separate $40,155 operating grant.
Yes. The recent list includes repeat recipients such as the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Inc, Saint Francis De Sales Seminary, and St Dominic Parish. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships with established organizations rather than isolated one-time gifts.
Most are in Wisconsin, especially Milwaukee and nearby communities such as Brookfield, Sheboygan, New Berlin, Racine, Waukesha, West Milwaukee, and St Francis. The list also includes out-of-state recipients in California, Texas, Tennessee, Minnesota, and Wisconsin-based grants account for the clear majority of named places.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLOBAL BRIGADES INC | FRESNO, CA | $451,381 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ARCHDIOCESE OF MILWAUKEE INC (CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP APPEAL) | MILWAUKEE, WI | $401,187 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SIXTEENTH STREET COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $250,726 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HOLY APOSTLES CATHOLIC PARISH | NEW BERLIN, WI | $99,822 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SHEBOYGAN YOUTH SAILING CLUB INC | SHEBOYGAN, WI | $99,464 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ST DOMINIC PARISH | BROOKFIELD, WI | $84,898 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY OF ST PAUL INC | RACINE, WI | $53,610 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES SEMINARY (THE SALESIANUM TRUST) | ST FRANCIS, WI | $50,194 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF EASTERN WI INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $50,194 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $50,194 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CATHOLIC MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL | WAUKESHA, WI | $49,732 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NATIVITY JESUIT CATHOLIC SCHOOL ACADEMY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $49,732 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES SEMINARY | ST FRANCIS, WI | $40,155 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WORLD CRANIOFACIAL FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $30,117 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ARCHDIOCESE OF MILWAUKEE INC (COMBINED COLLECTIONS) | MILWAUKEE, WI | $30,117 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NOURISH FARMS INC | SHEBOYGAN, WI | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ST DOMINIC PARISH | SHEBOYGAN, WI | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC | MEMPHIS, TN | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NOTRE DAME SCHOOL OF MILWAUKEE | WEST MILWAUKEE, WI | $29,947 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MESSMER HIGH SCHOOL | MILWAUKEE, WI | $25,004 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DOGSINVESTS INC | PALMYRA, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE CATHEDRAL OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST | MILWAUKEE, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMON HOPE | ST PAUL, MN | $20,131 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SANTA FE COMMUNICATIONS INC (HEART OF THE NATION) | MILWAUKEE, WI | $20,078 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WISCONSIN HUMANE SOCIETY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER OF SHEBOYGAN COUNTY INC | PLYMOUTH, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION | APPLETON, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SAFE HARBOR OF SHEBOYGAN INC | SHEBOYGAN, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| OPEN DOOR CAFE (THE CATHEDRAL OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST) | MILWAUKEE, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PROJECT ANGEL HUGS | PLYMOUTH, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MEALS ON WHEELS OF SHEBOYGAN COUNTY INC | SHEBOYGAN, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE SALVATION ARMY SHEBOYGAN | SHEBOYGAN, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS | COLD SPRING, KY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FOCUS ON THE FAMILY | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FOOD ALLERGY RESEARCH & EDUCATION INC | MCLEAN, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MILWAUKEE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LAKESHORE COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE | SHEBOYGAN, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SHERMAN PHOENIX FOUNDATION INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SHEBOYGAN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM | SHEBOYGAN, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SHARON S RICHARDSON COMMUNITY HOSPICE INC | SHEBOYGAN FALLS, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNITED COMMUNITY CENTER INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ST JOSEPH'S TOOL CHEST | NEW BERLIN, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ST JOAN ANTIDA HIGH SCHOOL | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NEW BERLIN FOOD PANTRY INC | NEW BERLIN, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MAYWOOD ECOLOGICAL CENTER (ENVIRONMENTAL PARK TRUST OF SHEBOYGAN COUNTY) | SHEBOYGAN, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY OF WAUKESHA | WAUKESHA, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JOHN C CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOL | BRASSTOWN, NC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GLOBAL BRIGADES INC | FRESNO, CA | $455,509 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| SIXTEENTH STREET COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $252,768 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| HOLY APOSTLES CATHOLIC PARISH | NEW BERLIN, WI | $150,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
ARCHDIOCESE OF MILWAUKEE INC (CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP APPEAL)
$401,187GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HOLY APOSTLES CATHOLIC PARISH
$99,822GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SHEBOYGAN YOUTH SAILING CLUB INC
$99,464GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ST DOMINIC PARISH
$84,898GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
COMMUNITY OF ST PAUL INC
$53,610GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES SEMINARY (THE SALESIANUM TRUST)
$50,194CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
CATHOLIC MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL
$49,732GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NATIVITY JESUIT CATHOLIC SCHOOL ACADEMY
$49,732GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES SEMINARY
$40,155GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WORLD CRANIOFACIAL FOUNDATION
$30,117GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ARCHDIOCESE OF MILWAUKEE INC (COMBINED COLLECTIONS)
$30,117GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NOURISH FARMS INC
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ST DOMINIC PARISH
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NOTRE DAME SCHOOL OF MILWAUKEE
$29,947GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MESSMER HIGH SCHOOL
$25,004GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DOGSINVESTS INC
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE CATHEDRAL OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SANTA FE COMMUNICATIONS INC (HEART OF THE NATION)
$20,078GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER OF SHEBOYGAN COUNTY INC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
OPEN DOOR CAFE (THE CATHEDRAL OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST)
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PROJECT ANGEL HUGS
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE SALVATION ARMY SHEBOYGAN
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MILWAUKEE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SHEBOYGAN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SHARON S RICHARDSON COMMUNITY HOSPICE INC
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ST JOSEPH'S TOOL CHEST
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ST JOAN ANTIDA HIGH SCHOOL
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NEW BERLIN FOOD PANTRY INC
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MAYWOOD ECOLOGICAL CENTER (ENVIRONMENTAL PARK TRUST OF SHEBOYGAN COUNTY)
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY OF WAUKESHA
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HOLY APOSTLES CATHOLIC PARISH
$150,000CHARITABLE