Merus Foundation

EIN 87-1354173 · OH · NTEE T21

Invitation only Typical grant ~$582 Funds in OH, TN, KY +7
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Giving Profile

In 2025, Merus Foundation based in OH paid 56 grants totaling $376K to 56 organizations across 10 states. Individual grants ranged from $50 to $50K, with a median of $582. Its largest recipients included AMERICA'S RIVER ROOTS' FESTIVAL, CORPORATION OF FINDLAY MARKET, and KEEP CINCINNATI BEAUTIFUL. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications — giving is by invitation only.

Foundation at a Glance

Total assets
$10,168,718
Giving (latest yr)
$375,964
Filing year
2025
Itemized grants
56
Median grant
$582
Recipients
56
States reached
10
Officers/trustees
4
Unsolicited applications
No — invitation only

Where the Money Goes

Top recipients

  • America's River Roots' Festival$50,000
  • Corporation of Findlay Market$50,000
  • Keep Cincinnati Beautiful$50,000
  • Brighton Center Inc$30,250
  • Project Destined$30,000

Where grants went

  • Ohio$241,732 · 28 grants
  • Tennessee$56,325 · 8 grants
  • Kentucky$32,900 · 10 grants
  • District of Columbia$30,000 · 1 grant
  • Pennsylvania$11,307 · 3 grants
  • New York$1,100 · 2 grants

Grants Paid (56)

America's River Roots' Festival
Cincinnati, OH
General Purpose
$50,000
Keep Cincinnati Beautiful
Cincinnati, OH
General Purpose
$50,000
Corporation of Findlay Market
Cincinnati, OH
General Purpose
$50,000
Brighton Center Inc
Newport, KY
General Purpose
$30,250
Project Destined
Washington, DC
General Purpose
$30,000
Artworks
Cincinnati, OH
General Purpose
$25,000
Tennessee Performing Arts Center
Nashville, TN
General Purpose
$25,000
United Way of Greater Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH
General Purpose
$19,685
Cincinnati Playhouse IN the Park
Cincinnati, OH
General Purpose
$10,250
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
Pittsburgh, PA
General Purpose
$10,000
Cincinnati Museum Center
Cincinnati, OH
General Purpose
$10,000
Urban Green Lab
Nashville, TN
General Purpose
$10,000

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FAQFrequently Asked Questions

No. Merus Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications — its grantmaking is by invitation only. Cultivating a relationship or securing an introduction is typically required.

Merus Foundation is classified as a Arts, Culture & Humanities funder. Museums, performing arts, cultural institutions, and the humanities. Its recent grants reached organizations across 10 states.

In its most recent filing, Merus Foundation reported 56 itemized grants totaling $376K. Individual grants ranged from $50 to $50K (median $582).

Recent recipients include AMERICA'S RIVER ROOTS' FESTIVAL, CORPORATION OF FINDLAY MARKET, KEEP CINCINNATI BEAUTIFUL, among 56 organizations in total. The full grant list is on this page.

Merus Foundation is a private foundation based in Ohio, per its IRS 990-PF filing.

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