The Merlin Foundation
Boulder, Colorado · EIN 841232001 · Private foundation
The Merlin Foundation is a private foundation based in Boulder, Colorado. Its most recent IRS Form 990-PF reports $3.4M in grants paid and $12.6M in total assets. Bespoke Grants tracks 128 individual grants from this funder — $24.3M awarded across 2017–2024 — including its support for arts & culture. Below is its full funding profile.
What The Merlin Foundation funds
The Merlin Foundation's giving carries a documented focus on arts & culture, environment & conservation, higher education.
Grant history
The largest grants Bespoke Grants has on record for The Merlin Foundation, by amount:
| Recipient | Location | Grant | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildlife Conservation Society GENERAL PURPOSE | Bronx, NY | $2.6M | 2022 |
| Americans for Oxford GENERAL PURPOSE | New York, NY | $2.0M | 2022 |
| The Wilderness Society GENERAL PURPOSE | Washington, DC | $1.6M | 2023 |
| World Wildlife Fund GENERAL PURPOSE | Merrifield, VA | $1.1M | 2022 |
| The Wilderness Society GENERAL PURPOSE | Washington, DC | $1.1M | 2017 |
| The Wilderness Society GENERAL PURPOSE | Washington, DC | $1.0M | 2018 |
| The Wilderness Society GENERAL PURPOSE | Washington, DC | $1.0M | 2020 |
| Earthjustice League Defense Fund GENERAL PURPOSE | New York, NY | $1.0M | 2020 |
| Earthjustice League Defense Fund GENERAL PURPOSE | San Francisco, CA | $1.0M | 2023 |
| Earthjustice League Defense Fund GENERAL PURPOSE | San Francisco, CA | $1.0M | 2017 |
| World Wildlife Fund GENERAL PURPOSE | Washington, DC | $1.0M | 2024 |
| Earthjustice League Defense Fund GENERAL PURPOSE | San Francisco, CA | $1.0M | 2024 |
| Earthjustice League Defense Fund GENERAL PURPOSE | San Francisco, CA | $1.0M | 2022 |
| The Wilderness Society GENERAL PURPOSE | Washington, DC | $800K | 2024 |
| The Rhodes Trust GENERAL PURPOSE | — | $500K | 2024 |
The Merlin Foundation giving by year
Total grants Bespoke Grants has indexed for each filing year:
How to apply for funding from The Merlin Foundation
The Merlin Foundation's public IRS filing does not spell out a formal application process. Foundations of this size often give primarily to organizations they already know, so a concise letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first contact — not a full proposal.
Is The Merlin Foundation the right funder for your nonprofit?
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Match my nonprofit to funders →Frequently asked questions about The Merlin Foundation
- Does The Merlin Foundation accept grant applications?
- The Merlin Foundation's public filing does not specify an application process. A brief letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first step with a private foundation of this size.
- What does The Merlin Foundation fund?
- The Merlin Foundation's grants focus on arts & culture. Recent recipients include Wildlife Conservation Society, Americans for Oxford, The Wilderness Society. Its full grant history is listed above.
- How much does The Merlin Foundation give in grants?
- The Merlin Foundation reported $3.4M in grants in its most recent IRS filing (FY2020). Across all years in our data it has awarded $24.3M over 128 grants.
- Where is The Merlin Foundation located?
- The Merlin Foundation is based in Boulder, Colorado. Its IRS employer identification number (EIN) is 841232001.
- How can I find foundations similar to The Merlin Foundation?
- Bespoke Grants matches your nonprofit against 225,000+ foundations like The Merlin Foundation, ranking each by how well it fits your mission, location, and budget — with the reasoning shown. It is free to search.
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