About David and Laura Merage Foundation
The David and Laura Merage Foundation concentrates its resources on philanthropic vehicles and a small set of repeat grantees, while also supporting targeted programmatic initiatives in early childhood learning and Jewish community causes. The largest share of dollars flows to intermediary/DAF-type organizations, with substantial, repeated gifts to a single non-public-purpose recipient suggesting support for bespoke or strategic third‑party services alongside conventional nonprofit grants.
Focus Areas
Philanthropic vehicles and donor-advised fund support (national grantmaking intermediaries)Early childhood education and early learning programsJewish community organizations and regional Jewish servicesStrategic or bespoke third‑party services/consulting (nontraditional Z99 recipients)
Giving Approach
Highly concentrated: a small number of large grants account for most giving, with multiple repeat payments to a few favored recipients (notably a national philanthropic trust and one recurring Z99 grantee). Mix of funding to intermediary/DAF channels and direct programmatic support, rather than broad dispersed small grants.
Funding Style
donor-advised fund
About David and Laura Merage Foundation
A large share of the David and Laura Merage Foundation’s recent grantmaking goes to National Philanthropic Trust, including a $2.3 million grant in 2024 and another $1.235 million in 2025. That pattern fits a funder that uses philanthropic vehicles alongside direct program support. Beyond intermediary grants, the foundation backs a small set of recurring nonprofit partners and several in-house or affiliated initiatives tied to early childhood learning, Jewish community services, and arts programming. The grant list shows repeated support for Early Learning Ventures, Black Cube, and Jewish Colorado, with each organization appearing in multiple years. Those relationships point to a mix of general support and sustained initiative funding rather than isolated project giving. The foundation also makes targeted grants to organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League, The Free Press, American Israel Education, and Hillel of Colorado, suggesting attention to Jewish community life, education, and public-facing civic or cultural work. Its giving is not limited to conventional nonprofits. Some awards are marked as donor advised fund support or expenditure-responsibility grants, and the recent record includes consulting or other nontraditional recipients. Overall, the foundation’s profile is shaped by repeated institutional support, affiliated initiatives, and a relatively small circle of named partners.
What David and Laura Merage Foundation Funds
In early childhood education, the foundation gave $450,000 in 2024 and $250,000 in 2025 to Early Learning Ventures for general support, alongside $301,450 in 2023 to the same organization. The repeated funding aligns with a broader focus on childcare capacity and support for vulnerable children and families. Jewish community organizations also appear regularly. Jewish Colorado received $320,000 in 2025, $265,000 in 2024, and $52,884 in 2023 for general support, while Hillel of Colorado received $41,000 in 2025. The Anti-Defamation League was also funded with $311,220 in 2025. Arts support is another clear theme. Black Cube received $450,000 in 2025, $436,000 in 2024, and $417,000 in 2023, and RedLine received $100,000 in 2025 plus $51,000 in 2023. The foundation also supported the Colorado Photographic Arts Center with $31,030 in 2025.
How David and Laura Merage Foundation Gives
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$3.8M
Total Assets
$70.2M
Total Revenue
$5.3M
Total Expenses
$4.7M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $3K and $32K, with a median of $9K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$9K
75th Percentile
$32K
Geographic Reach
Regional14 states funded
Intensidad de financiamiento
BajaAlta
Sede
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