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The Mep Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

The Mep Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$67k
Granted FY2025still arriving
5
Grants FY2025still arriving
5
States reached
$25k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
0193% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2018 to 2025.

Religion$233kEnvironment$220kPhilanthropy$205kEducation$66kCivil Rights$60kPublic Benefit$50kArts & Culture$32kHealth$26kOther$0
02FY2025 · 5 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k2 grants · $12k
  • $10k–50k3 grants · $55k
$10,000
Median grant
5
States reached
$1.7M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
EDUCATION FOUNDATION FOR WINSTON-SALEM FORSYTH COUNTY SCHOOLS$25,000
UPAYA ZEN CENTER$20,000
JUBILEE GIFT GALAXY INC$10,000
ART INTO ACRES$7,000
NIELSEN FOUNDATION$4,500
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY20–24, $63k) land where the poverty rate runs at 20%, against an area that typically sits at 11%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 11%EKVN-YEFOLECV: $50k → 21%FRIENDS LIFE COMMUNITY: $8k → 14%HETRICK MARTIN INSTITUTE: $5k → 17%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

WA
WI
NY
MA
OR
NJ
RI
CA
CO
MD
NM
TN
NC
DC
AL
TX
FL
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

51%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$466k · 13 repeat orgs$443k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +18% since the first grant, against +7% for those funded once.

13 repeat relationships: 1 still active in FY2025, 12 since wound down; 4 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

13
42

Total granted

$466k
$397k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+18%
+7%

Still filing today

54%
55%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 30% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $47k went to new ones.

50%100%’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Arts & CultureEducationEnvironmentHuman ServicesPhilanthropyReligionOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • NE
    NEW ENERGY ECONOMY INC
    6× · 2018–2023 · $70k · revenue +44%
  • RA
    Rainforest Action Network
    7× · 2018–2024 · $45k · revenue +16%
  • TF
    THRESHOLD FOUNDATION
    3× · 2018–2020 · $45k · revenue +18%

Funded once

  • EY
    EKVNV YEFOLECVLKE
    one grant, 2023 · $50k · revenue -8%
  • WT
    Way to Win
    one grant, 2018 · $25k
  • Solidaire Network Incgraduated
    one grant, 2022 · $25k · revenue +243%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Nature for Justice

To empower frontline communities to lead nature-based solutions that advance climate justice, ecosystem restoration, and resilient livelihoods through connecting locally-led initiatives to funding, markets, and technical support.

Environment
2
Partnership for Policy Integrity

Partnership for Policy Integrity (PFPI) uses data-driven advocacy and litigation to fight for forests, communities and the climate.

Environment
3
Grist Magazine Inc

Grist is an independent, non profit media organization dedicated to reporting on climate change.

Environment
4
Common Future

Common future is a network of pioneering leaders across the u.s. and canada who work deeply within their communities to create alternative approaches to business, philanthropy, and investing. we envision an economy that has transitioned…

Community Improvement
5
Global Forest Generation

Global Forest Generation restores and protects forest ecosystems in partnership with grassroots leaders and local communities across vast landscapes which play a critical role in preserving water, protecting biodiversity, storing carbon,…

Environment
6
Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide

Educational & charitable. to provide legal and scientific information to public interest attorneys and scientists in numerous countries.

—
7
Climate Foundation

To research and develop healthy climate solutions comprising global food security, ecosystem regeneration and carbon balance in seas and soils.

Science & Tech
8
Amazon Watch Inc

To protect the rainforest and advance the rights of Indigenous peoples in the Amazon Basin. We partner with Indigenous communities in campaigns for human rights, corporate accountability, and the preservation of the Amazon Basin's…

Environment
9
Environment Next Inc

Environment next supports individuals, nonprofits and businesses around the world on solutions to complex climate issues. we provide leadership, outreach and communication support, grants, and investments to empower leaders and their ideas…

Environment
10
Nature and Culture International

Nature and culture international conserves biologically diverse landscapes in latin america, in concert with local cultures, for the well-being of the planet.

Environment
11
World Resources Institute

Wri is committed to creating change that improves people's lives and ensures the natural world can thrive. (see schedule o)wri's bold vision requires a formula for success we call "count it. change it. scale it.":- count it: our work is…

International
12
New Roots Institute

New Roots Institute is a nonprofit empowering the next generation with knowledge and training to end factory farming.

Food & Nutrition
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Thousand Currents; the most unlike its peers is Canticle Farm. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

37 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 37 of the 62 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
6
Early backer (in before they grew)
37/37
Grantees still filing
20/37
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

UPAYA ZEN CENTER INC: $173,265 · OtherUPAYA ZEN CENTER INCWay to Win: $25,000 · OtherPROJECT WAYFINDER: $25,000 · OtherEVERDAY ZEN FOUNDATION: $25,000 · OtherCENTER FOR CIVIC POLICY: $25,000 · OtherWORKING FAMILIES ORGANIZATION INC: $20,000 · Other+37 more: $231,500 · Other+37 moreIMPACTASSETSINC: $150,000 · PhilanthropyIMPACTASSETSINCSolidaire Network Inc: $25,000 · PhilanthropySolidaire Network IncTIDES FOUNDATION: $10,000 · PhilanthropyJubilee Gift Galaxy Inc: $10,000 · Philanthropy+1 more: $4,500 · PhilanthropyNEW ENERGY ECONOMY INC: $70,000 · EnvironmentNEW ENERGY EC…Rainforest Action Network: $45,000 · EnvironmentRainforest Ac…FOSSIL RIM WILDLIFE CENTER INC: $10,000 · EnvironmentFOSSIL RIM WI…THRESHOLD FOUNDATION: $45,000 · InternationalTHOUSAND CURRENTS: $25,000 · InternationalEKVNV YEFOLECVLKE: $50,000 · Human ServicesFriends Life Community: $7,500 · Human ServicesTHE HETRICK-MARTIN INSTITUTE INC: $5,000 · Human ServicesEDUCATION FOUNDATION FOR THE WINSTON- SALEM/FORSYTH COUNTY SCHOOLS INC: $25,000 · EducationHIGH MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE INC: $17,000 · Education826LA: $8,000 · EducationBARD COLLEGE: $5,000 · EducationSOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER INC: $32,500 · Crime & LegalCONTIGO IMMIGRANT JUSTICE: $5,000 · Crime & Legal
Other$524,765Philanthropy$199,500Environment$125,000International$70,000Human Services$62,500Education$55,000Crime & Legal$37,500

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetIMPACTASSETSINC: $150,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetNEW ENERGY ECONOMY INC: $70,000 over 6y, 1.5% of budgetEKVNV YEFOLECVLKE: $50,000 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetRainforest Action Network: $45,000 over 7y, 0.1% of budgetTHRESHOLD FOUNDATION: $45,000 over 3y, 0.8% of budgetSOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER INC: $32,500 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetEDUCATION FOUNDATION FOR THE WINSTON- SALEM/FORSYTH COUNTY SCHOOLS INC: $25,000 over 1y, 1.4% of budgetSolidaire Network Inc: $25,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetCENTER FOR CIVIC POLICY: $25,000 over 1y, 0.7% of budgetTHOUSAND CURRENTS: $25,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetWORKING FAMILIES ORGANIZATION INC: $20,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHIGH MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE INC: $17,000 over 3y, 0.2% of budgetDRUG POLICY ALLIANCE: $16,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetCanticle Farm: $10,000 over 1y, 1.3% of budgetTIDES FOUNDATION: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetLIVING LANDS TRUST: $10,000 over 1y, 1.7% of budgetFOSSIL RIM WILDLIFE CENTER INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budget826LA: $8,000 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetFriends Life Community: $7,500 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetArt into Acres: $7,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetSOCIAL VENTURE NETWORK: $5,000 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetMUSEUM OF JURASSIC TECHNOLOGY: $5,000 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetBARD COLLEGE: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBROWN UNIVERSITY: $5,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetEQUAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCONTIGO IMMIGRANT JUSTICE: $5,000 over 1y, 0.7% of budgetNUESTROS ALIMENTOS: $5,000 over 1y, 4.5% of budgetWILDEARTH GUARDIANS: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetSAINT ELIZABETH SHELTER CORPORATION: $5,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetTHE HETRICK-MARTIN INSTITUTE INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE NIELSEN FOUNDATION INC: $4,500 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetBUDDHIST PEACE FELLOWSHIP: $2,500 over 1y, 2.7% of budgetWise Fool New Mexico: $1,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetCenter for Contemporary Arts: $1,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

ImpactassetsincSanta Fe Community Fo…Rsf Social Finance IncThe Peterffy Foundati…Amalgamated Charitabl…Marshall L and Perrin…The Nathan Cummings F…Albuquerque Community…Tides FoundationRockefeller Philanthr…Gs Donor Advised Phil…American Endowment Fo…
ImpactassetsincMD23.7× affinity12 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Impactassetsinc · Santa Fe Community Foundation · Rsf Social Finance Inc · The Peterffy Foundation Inc · Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc · Marshall L and Perrine D McCune Charitable Foundation Inc · The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc · Albuquerque Community Foundation · Tides Foundation · Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc · Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund for Wealth Management Inc · American Endowment Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization The Mep Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Mep Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 40%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    4get no government money at all
    4report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
    05Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to The Mep Foundation?

    Find your warmest path to The Mep Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

    Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 62 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Mep’s filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home