The Merrill Charitable Foundation concentrates its giving locally in the Kansas City metro area, prioritizing cultural institutions and community-facing faith congregations. Its largest gifts fund museum/museum-adjacent operations and a regional tourism hub, alongside unrestricted support to Mainline Protestant churches. The foundation appears focused on strengthening local cultural assets and community institutions that drive tourism and neighborhood life.
Merrill Charitable Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by a $75,000 grant to Wilson Tourism Hub Inc in Wilson, Kansas, a signal that the foundation supports local destination development as well as community institutions. Across the latest grants, the foundation backs cultural assets, faith congregations, and a small set of civic organizations in the Kansas City area and nearby Kansas communities. Its awards include operating support for Museum of Prairiefire Foundation, Country Club Christian Church, Leawood Presbyterian Church, and Kansas State Athletics. The pattern suggests a funder that works through direct grants to established local nonprofits rather than individuals or program-related investments. Grants are often in the lower-to-mid five-figure range, with several awards repeated to the same organizations in consecutive years. Alongside tourism and museum support, the foundation also funds churches, arts organizations, food access, and educational nonprofits. Recipient cities include Kansas City, Leawood, Overland Park, Manhattan, and Wilson, showing a regional footprint centered on Kansas and the Kansas City metro.
A clear thread in the portfolio is regional cultural tourism. The foundation gave $75,000 to Wilson Tourism Hub Inc in 2024 and $55,000 in 2023, indicating sustained support for a local destination project in Wilson, Kansas. It also backed Museum of Prairiefire Foundation with $42,000 in 2023 and $12,500 in 2024, linking museum support to community cultural infrastructure. Arts funding appears in several forms. The Kansas City Symphony received $8,750 in 2023 and $7,500 in 2024, while Lyric Opera of Kansas City received $2,500 in 2024. Beyond the arts, the foundation supported Kansas State Athletics with $25,000 in 2024 and Kansas State University Foundation with $10,000 in 2023. It also made repeated grants to JDRF Kansas City Chapter, including $13,000 in both 2023 and 2024.
Typical grant size is modest: the 25th percentile is $2,000, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $12,500. The distribution includes a few larger awards, but many grants cluster in the $2,500 to $10,000 range. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Wilson Tourism Hub Inc, Leawood Presbyterian Church, Country Club Christian Church, Museum of Prairiefire Foundation, and JDRF Kansas City Chapter, which points to repeat support rather than one-time gifts. The foundation funds organizations directly and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
$560K
$7.9M
$2.2M
$321K
Most grants fall between $2K and $13K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$13K
About 51% of grants go to recipients in KS.
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Concentrated, modest-number portfolio: few but relatively large grants (two six-figure grants comprise most of total giving), repeat funding to a primary grantee (Wilson Tourism Hub) and multi-year operational support to local cultural and faith organizations.
Notable grantees: Wilson Tourism Hub Inc, Museum of Prairiefire Foundation, Country Club Christian Church, Leawood Presbyterian Church
The foundation gives most often in Kansas, and 51% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Its footprint is concentrated in the Kansas City metro and nearby Kansas communities, with repeated gifts to organizations in Kansas City, Leawood, Overland Park, Manhattan, Prairie Village, and Wilson. Kansas City, Missouri, also appears frequently, showing that the grantmaking crosses the state line within the metro area. All recent grants listed are to U.S. recipients.
The foundation supports cultural tourism and destination development, museum and cultural institutions, Mainline Protestant congregations, and selected arts and education nonprofits. Recent recipients include Wilson Tourism Hub Inc, Museum of Prairiefire Foundation, Country Club Christian Church, Leawood Presbyterian Church, and the Kansas City Symphony.
Typical awards are relatively small to mid-sized. The grant-size distribution shows a 25th percentile of $2,000, a median of $5,000, and a 75th percentile of $12,500.
Yes. Several recipients appear in more than one year, including Wilson Tourism Hub Inc, Leawood Presbyterian Church, Country Club Christian Church, Museum of Prairiefire Foundation, JDRF Kansas City Chapter, and Harvesters Community Food Network.
Kansas is the top state by grant count, and 51% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. The recent grants cluster in Kansas City, Leawood, Overland Park, Manhattan, Prairie Village, and Wilson.
No. The profile indicates that Merrill Charitable Foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
2024
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2024.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WILSON TOURISM HUB INC | WILSON, KS | $75,000 | 2024 | GES - 05/13/24 08:22AM WORKSHEET PRIVATE FOUNDATION |
| COUNTRY CLUB CHRISTIAN CHURCH | KANSAS CITY, MO | $40,000 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| LEAWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | LEAWOOD, KS | $38,000 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION | LEAWOOD, KS | $25,000 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| KANSAS STATE ATHLETICS | MANHATTAN, KS | $25,000 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| KANSAS ALPHA OF PHI DELTA THETA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | LEAWOOD, KS | $15,000 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| JDRF KANSAS CITY CHAPTER | KANSAS CITY, MO | $13,000 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| MUSEUM OF PRAIRIEFIRE FOUNDATION | OVERLAND PARK, KS | $12,500 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| FRANKLIN CENTER | KANSAS CITY, KS | $10,000 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| RELENTLESS ENDEAVOR MINISTRIES | PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS | $10,000 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| KANSAS STATE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION | MANHATTAN, KS | $7,500 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE KANSAS CITY SYMPHONY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $7,500 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| HARVESTERS COMMUNITY FOOD NETWORK | KANSAS CITY, MO | $5,000 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| LYRIC OPERA OF KANSAS CITY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $2,500 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| NELSON GALLERY FOUNDATION | KANSAS CITY, MO | $2,500 | 2024 | GES - 05/13/24 08:21AM WORKSHEET PRIVATE FOUNDATION |
| KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $2,500 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY | FORT WORTH, TX | $2,000 | 2024 | GES - 05/13/24 08:25AM WORKSHEET PRIVATE FOUNDATION |
| KANSAS CITY CHORALE | KANSAS CITY, MO | $1,500 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| SYMPHONY IN THE FLINT HILLS INC | COTTONWOOD FALLS, KS | $1,500 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| KANSAS PUBLIC RADIO | LAWRENCE, KS | $1,000 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| PI BETA PHI FOUNDATION | TOWN COUNTRY, MO | $1,000 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| KANSAS CITY PBS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $1,000 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| UMKC FOUNDATION | KANSAS CITY, KS | $1,000 | 2024 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| WILSON TOURISM HUB INC | WILSON, KS | $55,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| MUSEUM OF PRAIRIEFIRE FOUNDATION | OVERLAND PARK, KS | $42,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| LEAWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | LEAWOOD, KS | $30,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| COUNTRY CLUB CHRISTIAN CHURCH | KANSAS CITY, MO | $30,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| JDRF KANSAS CITY CHAPTER | KANSAS CITY, MO | $13,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| KANSAS ALPHA OF PHI DELTA THETA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | MISSION, KS | $10,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| RELENTLESS ENDEAVOR MINISTRIES | PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS | $10,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | MANHATTAN, KS | $10,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| KANSAS CITY SYMPHONY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $8,750 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| BOYS HOPE GIRLS HOPE OF KANSAS CITY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $8,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| KANSAS CZECHS INC | HAYS, KS | $8,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| KU ENDOWMENT ASSOCIATION | KANSAS CITY, KS | $5,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| HARVESTERS COMMUNITY FOOD NETWORK | KANSAS CITY, MO | $5,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| FRANKLIN CENTER | KANSAS CITY, KS | $5,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| LYRIC OPERA OF KANSAS CITY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $2,500 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $2,500 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| NELSON GALLERY FOUNDATION | KANSAS CITY, MO | $2,500 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| WAYSIDE WAIFS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $2,500 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| KANSAS SAMPLER FOUNDATION INC | INMAN, KS | $2,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY | FORT WORTH, TX | $2,000 | 2023 | DESIGNATED TO THE CHORAL MUSIC DEPARTMENT |
| SYMPHONY IN THE FLINT HILLS INC | COTTONWOOD FALLS, KS | $1,250 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| KANSAS CITY PBS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $1,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| UMKC FOUNDATION | KANSAS CITY, KS | $1,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| KANSAS PUBLIC RADIO | LAWRENCE, KS | $1,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| KANSAS CITY CHORALE | KANSAS CITY, MO | $1,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
| PI BETA PHI FOUNDATION | TOWN COUNTRY, MO | $1,000 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION |
WILSON TOURISM HUB INC
$75,000GES - 05/13/24 08:22AM WORKSHEET PRIVATE FOUNDATION
COUNTRY CLUB CHRISTIAN CHURCH
$40,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
LEAWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$38,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION
$25,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
KANSAS STATE ATHLETICS
$25,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
KANSAS ALPHA OF PHI DELTA THETA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
$15,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
JDRF KANSAS CITY CHAPTER
$13,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
MUSEUM OF PRAIRIEFIRE FOUNDATION
$12,500TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
FRANKLIN CENTER
$10,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
RELENTLESS ENDEAVOR MINISTRIES
$10,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
KANSAS STATE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
$7,500TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
THE KANSAS CITY SYMPHONY
$7,500TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
HARVESTERS COMMUNITY FOOD NETWORK
$5,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
LYRIC OPERA OF KANSAS CITY
$2,500TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
NELSON GALLERY FOUNDATION
$2,500GES - 05/13/24 08:21AM WORKSHEET PRIVATE FOUNDATION
KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
$2,500TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
$2,000GES - 05/13/24 08:25AM WORKSHEET PRIVATE FOUNDATION
KANSAS CITY CHORALE
$1,500TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
SYMPHONY IN THE FLINT HILLS INC
$1,500TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
KANSAS PUBLIC RADIO
$1,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
PI BETA PHI FOUNDATION
$1,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
KANSAS CITY PBS
$1,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
UMKC FOUNDATION
$1,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
WILSON TOURISM HUB INC
$55,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
MUSEUM OF PRAIRIEFIRE FOUNDATION
$42,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
LEAWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$30,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
COUNTRY CLUB CHRISTIAN CHURCH
$30,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
JDRF KANSAS CITY CHAPTER
$13,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
KANSAS ALPHA OF PHI DELTA THETA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
$10,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
RELENTLESS ENDEAVOR MINISTRIES
$10,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$10,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
KANSAS CITY SYMPHONY
$8,750TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
BOYS HOPE GIRLS HOPE OF KANSAS CITY
$8,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
KANSAS CZECHS INC
$8,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
KU ENDOWMENT ASSOCIATION
$5,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
HARVESTERS COMMUNITY FOOD NETWORK
$5,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
FRANKLIN CENTER
$5,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
LYRIC OPERA OF KANSAS CITY
$2,500TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
$2,500TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
NELSON GALLERY FOUNDATION
$2,500TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
WAYSIDE WAIFS
$2,500TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
KANSAS SAMPLER FOUNDATION INC
$2,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
$2,000DESIGNATED TO THE CHORAL MUSIC DEPARTMENT
SYMPHONY IN THE FLINT HILLS INC
$1,250TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
KANSAS CITY PBS
$1,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
UMKC FOUNDATION
$1,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
KANSAS PUBLIC RADIO
$1,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
KANSAS CITY CHORALE
$1,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION
PI BETA PHI FOUNDATION
$1,000TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION