The Mericos Foundation concentrates its giving on sustaining local youth services through an investment in long-term financial stability; its sole recorded grant is a $400,000 scholarship endowment for the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County. This indicates a focus on enabling access to programs for young people in the Santa Barbara region by funding endowment or scholarship vehicles rather than general operating support.
The Mericos Foundation’s clearest pattern is a sustained commitment to building long-term financial support for youth-serving organizations in Santa Barbara County. Its largest recorded grant is a $400,000 scholarship endowment to United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County, and that same organization also received capital support for Camp Whittier and electrical upgrades. The giving history points to a funder that uses endowment, capital, and challenge-grant structures to strengthen local institutions rather than only covering short-term program costs. That approach also appears in grants to Westmont College for equipment and start-up costs for a new Bachelor of Science in Engineering, and to Moxi the Wolf Museum of Exploration Innovation for accessibility programs. Other awards connect to youth development, college access, food and nutritional equity, and community infrastructure across California’s Central Coast and Southern California. In that mix, the foundation supports both direct services and the physical or financial capacity needed to keep programs operating over time. The Mericos Foundation also makes some grants outside California, including support for Garrett's Space in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Greater Horizons in Kansas City, Missouri, through a donor-advised fund.
Youth development is the throughline in several grants. United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County received $200,000 for Camp Whittier capital improvements, followed by $135,000 for Camp Whittier electrical upgrades, showing support for the facilities behind youth programming as well as the programs themselves. The foundation also backs access-oriented education and enrichment. Westmont College received $200,000 for equipment and program start-up costs for a new Bachelor of Science in Engineering, while Moxi the Wolf Museum of Exploration Innovation received $100,000 for accessibility programs for STEAM learning and another $100,000 for general operating support for accessibility programs. Community food systems and basic needs appear as another lane. Foodbank of Santa Barbara County received $100,000 for building readiness capital campaign support and $100,000 for nutritional equity through education. Outside California, Union Rescue Mission received $100,000 for Hope Gardens Family Center - Children & Youth Programs.
$3.1M
$56.3M
$896K
$3.8M
Most grants fall between $10K and $40K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$40K
Top 5 recipient countries by grant volume for Mericos Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 380 | $12.3M | 96.5% |
| 2 | United Kingdom | 7 |
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Highly concentrated: a single, large one-time award targeted to an endowment for a local youth-serving organization rather than many small or diversified grants.
Notable grantees: United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County
The recorded grant sizes cluster around mid-sized awards: p25 is $10,000, the median is $20,000, and p75 is $40,000. Recent activity also shows larger project-based gifts, including $400,000 for a scholarship endowment and multiple $100,000-plus awards tied to capital, challenge, and operating support. The grants list shows repeat support to the same organizations across multiple years, especially United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County, Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, Moxi the Wolf Museum of Exploration Innovation, Garrett's Space, Union Rescue Mission, New Village Girls Academy, and Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens. The Mericos Foundation is classified as a regular funder and also funds individuals.
Giving is concentrated in California, which accounts for 62% of grants, and the top city-level locations in the recent grants include Santa Barbara, South Pasadena, Goleta, and Los Angeles. Santa Barbara County organizations appear repeatedly, especially in Santa Barbara and Goleta. Outside California, the recent grants list includes Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Kansas City, Missouri. The recipient country distribution is overwhelmingly U.S.-based, with smaller counts in the UK, EI, CE, and FR.
Its recent grants include scholarship endowment support, capital improvements, challenge grants, general operating support, and program start-up or equipment funding. Examples in the data include a $400,000 scholarship endowment, $200,000 for Camp Whittier capital improvements, and $100,000 for accessibility programs for STEAM learning.
Several grantees appear more than once in the recent grants list, including United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County, Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, Moxi the Wolf Museum of Exploration Innovation, Garrett's Space, Union Rescue Mission, New Village Girls Academy, and Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens.
California is the top giving state by grant count, and 62% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Recent California recipients include organizations in Santa Barbara, Goleta, South Pasadena, and Los Angeles.
Yes. The data includes $200,000 to Westmont College for equipment and program start-up costs for a new Bachelor of Science in Engineering, $400,000 in scholarship endowment support for United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County, and $100,000 to Moxi the Wolf Museum of Exploration Innovation for accessibility programs for STEAM learning.
The typical grant size is relatively modest for the foundation’s overall activity: p25 is $10,000, median grant size is $20,000, and p75 is $40,000. The recent grants list also includes a smaller number of much larger awards above $100,000.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| $175K |
1.8% |
| 3 | Ireland | 4 | $52K | 1.0% |
| 4 | France | 2 | $167K | 0.5% |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 1 | $43K | 0.3% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNITED BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $135,000 | 2025 | CAMP WHITTIER ELECTRICAL UPGRADES |
| UNITED BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $135,000 | 2025 | CAMP WHITTIER ELECTRICAL UPGRADES |
| GARRETT'S SPACE | ANN ARBOR, MI | $130,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GARRETT'S SPACE | ANN ARBOR, MI | $130,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNION RESCUE MISSION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | HOPE GARDENS FAMILY CENTER - CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMS |
| MOXI THE WOLF MUSEUM OF EXPLORATION INNOVATION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR ACCESSIBILITY PROGRAMS |
| CENTER FOR URBAN AGRICULTURE AT FAIRVIEW GARDENS | GOLETA, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | THE CENTER FOR URBAN AGRICULTURE AT FAIRVIEW GARDENS RE-DESIGN/RE-BUILD - CHALLENGE GRANT |
| UNION RESCUE MISSION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | HOPE GARDENS FAMILY CENTER - CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMS |
| GARRETT'S SPACE | ANN ARBOR, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | BUILD GARRETT'S SPACE: BRINGING HOPE TO LIFE |
| CENTER FOR URBAN AGRICULTURE AT FAIRVIEW GARDENS | GOLETA, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | THE CENTER FOR URBAN AGRICULTURE AT FAIRVIEW GARDENS RE-DESIGN/RE-BUILD - CHALLENGE GRANT |
| FOODBANK OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY | GOLETA, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | NUTRITIONAL EQUITY THROUGH EDUCATION |
| NEW VILLAGE GIRLS ACADEMY | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FOODBANK OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY | GOLETA, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | NUTRITIONAL EQUITY THROUGH EDUCATION |
| GARRETT'S SPACE | ANN ARBOR, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | BUILD GARRETT'S SPACE: BRINGING HOPE TO LIFE |
| MOXI THE WOLF MUSEUM OF EXPLORATION INNOVATION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR ACCESSIBILITY PROGRAMS |
| NEW VILLAGE GIRLS ACADEMY | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GREATER HORIZONS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $85,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| GREATER HORIZONS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $85,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| GREATER HORIZONS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $85,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| GREATER HORIZONS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $85,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| OUTWARD BOUND ADVENTURES INC | PASADENA, CA | $84,000 | 2025 | OUTWARD BOUND ADVENTURE'S YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL |
| OUTWARD BOUND ADVENTURES INC | PASADENA, CA | $84,000 | 2025 | OUTWARD BOUND ADVENTURE'S YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL |
| HEAL THE OCEAN | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $75,000 | 2025 | CHALLENGE GRANT - SUMMERLAND OIL MITIGATION STUDY (SOMS) |
| THE TURNER FOUNDATION - SINCE 1958 | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $75,000 | 2025 | THE COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS |
| HEAL THE OCEAN | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $75,000 | 2025 | CHALLENGE GRANT - SUMMERLAND OIL MITIGATION STUDY (SOMS) |
| INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | NATIONAL CITY, CA | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | NATIONAL CITY, CA | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE TURNER FOUNDATION - SINCE 1958 | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $75,000 | 2025 | THE COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS |
| PASADENA HUMANE SOCIETY & SPCA | PASADENA, CA | $70,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PASADENA HUMANE SOCIETY & SPCA | PASADENA, CA | $70,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF LAKE COUNTY | WAUKEGAN, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HEAL THE OCEAN | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | SUMMERLAND OIL MITIGATION STUDY |
| OCEAN CONSERVANCY INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | GLOBAL GHOST GEAR INITIATIVE |
| FULFILLMENT FUND | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR COLLEGE ACCESS AND SUCCESS |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF METRO LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | EXACT PATH AND COLLEGEBOUND/FUTURE PATHWAYS |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF METRO LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | EXACT PATH AND COLLEGEBOUND/FUTURE PATHWAYS |
| FULFILLMENT FUND | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR COLLEGE ACCESS AND SUCCESS |
| HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (HRDC) | BOZEMAN, MT | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | LOS ANGELES GREEN SCHOOLYARDS PROGRAM |
| LABELLE FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF ORANGE COUNTY | IRVINE, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | YOUTH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AT HARVEST SOLUTIONS FARM |
| LABELLE FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| OCEAN CONSERVANCY INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | GLOBAL GHOST GEAR INITIATIVE |
| DOOR OF HOPE | PASADENA, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JENESSE CENTER INC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORTING SERVICES FOR UNDER-SERVED CHILDREN AND YOUTH OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS |
| DOOR OF HOPE | PASADENA, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HEAL THE OCEAN | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | SUMMERLAND OIL MITIGATION STUDY |
| HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (HRDC) | BOZEMAN, MT | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KIDS IN THE SPOTLIGHT INC | BURBANK, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF LAKE COUNTY | WAUKEGAN, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
UNITED BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
$135,000CAMP WHITTIER ELECTRICAL UPGRADES
UNITED BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
$135,000CAMP WHITTIER ELECTRICAL UPGRADES
HOPE GARDENS FAMILY CENTER - CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMS
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR ACCESSIBILITY PROGRAMS
THE CENTER FOR URBAN AGRICULTURE AT FAIRVIEW GARDENS RE-DESIGN/RE-BUILD - CHALLENGE GRANT
HOPE GARDENS FAMILY CENTER - CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMS
THE CENTER FOR URBAN AGRICULTURE AT FAIRVIEW GARDENS RE-DESIGN/RE-BUILD - CHALLENGE GRANT
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR ACCESSIBILITY PROGRAMS
PASADENA HUMANE SOCIETY & SPCA
$70,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PASADENA HUMANE SOCIETY & SPCA
$70,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
EXACT PATH AND COLLEGEBOUND/FUTURE PATHWAYS
EXACT PATH AND COLLEGEBOUND/FUTURE PATHWAYS
THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
$50,000LOS ANGELES GREEN SCHOOLYARDS PROGRAM
LABELLE FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
YOUTH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AT HARVEST SOLUTIONS FARM
LABELLE FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SUPPORTING SERVICES FOR UNDER-SERVED CHILDREN AND YOUTH OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS
KIDS IN THE SPOTLIGHT INC
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT