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The Merritt Charitable Fund Inc at a glanceMostly funded, not a grantmaker: see who funds it →

· Private foundation

The Merritt Charitable Fund Inc

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.

$172k
Granted FY2025still arriving
11
Grants FY2025still arriving
7
States reached
$25k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2019 to 2025.

Housing & Shelter$153kCrime & Legal$150kFood & Nutrition$143kHuman Services$118kYouth Development$65kHealth$62kInternational$56kEducation$50kOther$0
02FY2025 · 11 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k2 grants · $10k
  • $10k–50k9 grants · $161k
$20,000
Median grant
7
States reached
$1.9M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
THRIVE FOR LIFE PRISON PROJECT INC$25,000
Individual grant recipient$25,000
FACETS CARES INC$20,600
THE LAMB CENTER$20,580
HOME STRETCH VA$20,020
MARK GARWOOD SCHOLARSHIP FUND$20,000
OXFORD HOUSE INC$10,220
SALVATION ARMY SOUTH$10,000
Individual grant recipient$10,000
CLOVERLEAF EQUINE CENTER$5,149
CENTRAL UNION MISSION$5,053
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 (FY19–25, $140k) land where the poverty rate runs at 7%, against an area that typically sits at 10%. 14% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Its grants skew toward lower-need ZIPs.

area typical 10%New London Homeless Hospitality Cen: $15k → 9%HOME STRETCH VA: $20k → 4%FACETS CARES INC: $25k → 6%FACETS CARES INC: $21k → 6%Miriams Kitchen: $10k → 14%FACETS CARES INC: $15k → 6%Facets Cares Inc: $10k → 6%FACETS CARES INC: $10k → 6%FACETS CARES INC: $5k → 6%Bowery Residents Committee Inc: $10k → 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

IL
NY
OR
CT
VA
MD
AZ
NC
DC
GA
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.

76%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$647k · 17 repeat orgs$208k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +80% since the first grant, against +31% for those funded once.

17 repeat relationships: 7 still active in FY2025, 10 since wound down; 4 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

17
15

Total granted

$647k
$153k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+80%
+31%

Still filing today

53%
93%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 68% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $55k went to new ones.

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

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

’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Human ServicesFood & NutritionCrime & LegalHousing & ShelterPhilanthropyEnvironmentOther
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

  • TF
    THRIVE FOR LIFE PRISON PROJECT INC
    7× · 2019–2025 · $127k · revenue +577%
  • FC
    FACETS CARES INC
    6× · 2019–2025 · $85k · revenue +76%
  • TL
    THE LAMB CENTER
    4× · 2019–2025 · $41k · revenue +218%

Funded once

  • SP
    SAMARITAN'S PURSEgraduated
    one grant, 2022 · $50k · revenue +40%
  • FS
    FEEDING SOUTH FLORIDA INC
    one grant, 2020 · $15k · revenue -30%
  • NL
    NEW LONDON HOMELESS HOSPITALITY CENTERgraduated
    one grant, 2019 · $15k · revenue +156%
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
Covenant House Washington Dc

Covenant house washington, dc ("chw") provides shelter, crisis care, community services, and outreach services to youth in the washington dc area.

Human Services
2
Under 21

Since 1972, under 21, d.b.a. covenant house new york (chny) has been working with one of new york city's most vulnerable populations - youth experiencing homelessness, age 16-24, and their dependent children. chny provides young people…

Human Services
3
Covenant House

In 34 cities across five countries, covenant house builds bridges to hope for young people facing homelessness and survivors of human trafficking. we meet their immediate needs for food, clothing, protection, and medical and mental health…

Human Services
4
Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services Inc

Cases' mission is to increase public safety through innovative services that reduce crime and incarceration, improve behavioral health, promote recovery and rehabilitation, and create opportunities for success in the community. we believe…

—
5
Covenant House New Jersey Inc

To provide shelter, food, medical and mental health care, legal services, educational and vocational services and an array of housing options, including transitional and permanent housing opportunities, for youth facing homelessness and…

Human Services
6
Pibly Residential Programs Inc

Pibly's mission embraces the belief that the needs of its consumers can be met and their goals can be achieved. pibly strives to expand opportunities for people living with mental health challenges by delivering person centered services…

—
7
Lantern Community Services Inc

Lantern community services' mission is to champion the independence and well-being of people who are impacted by or threatened with homelessness.

Housing & Shelter
8
Ch Pennsylvania Under - 21

Our mission is to serve children and youth facing homelessness and human trafficking, and to protect and safeguard all children. we provide trauma-informed interventions for youth who are in need.covenant house pennsylvania (chpa) remains…

Housing & Shelter
9
Journey Home Inc

Journey home's mission is to ensure a home for all. we believe the most powerful way to do this is collectively - by working together with service providers, elected officials, businesses, and local communities to end homelessness in the…

Human Services
10
City Harvest Inc

To end hunger in communities throughout new york city. (see schedule o)to end hunger in communities throughout new york city. we do this through food rescue and distribution, education, and other practical, innovative solutions.

Food & Nutrition
11
Interval House

The mission of the organization is to ensure safety and stability for people who are battered, abused, homeless or at risk; to create public awareness about the epidemic of violence; and to mobilize the community to prevent violence and…

Human Services
12
Friendship Place

Friendship Place is a leader in the Washington, DC, metro area in developing solutions to homelessness that have measurable results and a lasting impact. Friendship Place's mission is to empower people who are experiencing or at risk of…

Housing & Shelter
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is New York Cares Inc; the most unlike its peers is Hanley Foundation. 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

26 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. 26 of the 37 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)
7
Early backer (in before they grew)
26/26
Grantees still filing
15/26
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

Individual grant recipient: $67,749 · OtherIndividual grant recipientIndividual grant recipient: $50,000 · OtherIndividual grant recipientMIAMI BRIDGE YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES INC: $35,835 · OtherMIAMI BRIDGE YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES INCLOTUS HOUSE MIAMI: $35,169 · OtherLOTUS HOUSE MIAMIIndividual grant recipient: $31,137 · OtherIndividual grant recipientTHE WOMENS FOUNDATION: $29,500 · OtherTHE WOMENS FOUNDATIONFOOD FOR OTHERS FAIRFAX: $20,299 · OtherOxford House Inc: $20,220 · OtherMARK GARWOOD SCHOLARSHIP FUND: $20,000 · OtherFEEDING SOUTH FLORIDA INC: $15,000 · Other+16 more: $100,191 · Other+16 moreTHRIVE FOR LIFE PRISON PROJECT INC: $126,643 · Crime & LegalTHRIVE FOR LIFE PRI…AVENUES FOR JUSTICE INC: $22,600 · Crime & LegalAVENUES FOR JUSTICE…FACETS CARES INC: $85,119 · Human ServicesFACETS CARES INCHomestretch Inc: $20,020 · Human ServicesHomestretch IncNEW LONDON HOMELESS HOSPITALITY CENTER: $15,000 · Human ServicesNEW LONDON HOMELES…MIRIAM'S KITCHEN: $10,000 · Human ServicesMIRIAM'S KITCHENBOWERY RESIDENTS COMMITTEE INC: $10,000 · Human ServicesBOWERY RESIDENTS C…SAMARITAN'S PURSE: $50,000 · ReligionTHE LAMB CENTER: $40,580 · EnvironmentCLOVERLEAF EQUINE CENTER: $30,893 · HealthTHE YOUNG PEOPLE'S CHORUS OF NEW YORK CITY INC: $25,481 · Arts & Culture
Other$425,100Crime & Legal$149,243Human Services$140,139Religion$50,000Environment$40,580Health$30,893Arts & Culture$25,481

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 budgetTHRIVE FOR LIFE PRISON PROJECT INC: $126,643 over 7y, 4.2% of budgetFACETS CARES INC: $85,119 over 6y, 0.5% of budgetSAMARITAN'S PURSE: $50,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE LAMB CENTER: $40,580 over 4y, 0.6% of budgetMIAMI BRIDGE YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES INC: $35,835 over 4y, 0.3% of budgetCLOVERLEAF EQUINE CENTER: $30,893 over 3y, 1.4% of budgetTHE YOUNG PEOPLE'S CHORUS OF NEW YORK CITY INC: $25,481 over 4y, 0.2% of budgetAVENUES FOR JUSTICE INC: $22,600 over 4y, 0.5% of budgetOxford House Inc: $20,220 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetHomestretch Inc: $20,020 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetFEEDING SOUTH FLORIDA INC: $15,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNEW LONDON HOMELESS HOSPITALITY CENTER: $15,000 over 1y, 0.7% of budgetBike New York Inc: $10,500 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetHANLEY FOUNDATION: $10,363 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetMIRIAM'S KITCHEN: $10,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetBOWERY RESIDENTS COMMITTEE INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNETWORK FOR GOOD: $6,098 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetOPPORTUNITY INTERNATIONAL INC D/B/A OPPORTUNITY INTERNATIONAL-US: $6,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetJOYJ INITIATIVE: $5,129 over 2y, 1.6% of budgetCENTRAL UNION MISSION: $5,053 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetJERICHO PROJECT: $4,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetFEED THE FRONTLINES NYC INC: $4,000 over 1y, 1.2% of budgetNEW YORK CARES INC: $3,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHumane World for Animals Inc: $3,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF AMERICA: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% 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.

United Way of the Nat…The Community Foundat…Robin Hood FoundationJpmorgan Chase Founda…Greater Washington Co…National Philanthropi…The Goldman Sachs Cha…Vanguard Charitable E…Jewish Communal FundCharities Aid Foundat…American Endowment Fo…The Blackbaud Giving …
United Way of the National Capital AreaVA13.4× affinity4 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: United Way of the National Capital Area · The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia Inc · Robin Hood Foundation · Jpmorgan Chase Foundation · Greater Washington Community Foundation · National Philanthropic Trust · The Goldman Sachs Charitable Gift Fund · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · Jewish Communal Fund · Charities Aid Foundation America · American Endowment Foundation · The Blackbaud Giving Fund

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 Merritt Charitable Fund Inc funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Merritt Charitable Fund Inc. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 10%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →median 8%
  • New London Homeless Hospitality Center: 47% of income from government
  • Oxford House Inc: 8% of income from government
  • Feeding South Florida Inc: 5% of income from government
  • Casa for Children Inc: 2% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
1get no government money at all
5report 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 Merritt Charitable Fund Inc?

Find your warmest path to The Merritt Charitable Fund Inc 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 37 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 Merritt’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