Merck Family Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4,000,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 2-4 months (based on RFP timelines)
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $150,000
• Geographic Focus: Massachusetts (Gateway Cities: Holyoke, New Bedford), New York, Pennsylvania

Contact Details

• Website: www.merckff.org
• Email: contact@merckff.org
• Phone: (781) 789-6516
• Address: 131 Dartmouth Street, Suite 301, Boston, MA 02116

Overview

The Merck Family Fund, established in 1954 by George Wilhelm Merck, is a private foundation with approximately $62 million in assets distributing $4 million annually in grants. Based in Boston, MFF champions a people-first, intersectional approach to philanthropy that supports communities in their efforts to achieve environmental, social, and economic justice. The foundation prioritizes communities disproportionately affected by systemic racism, climate disruption, and barriers to democratic participation. In 2020, MFF initiated a strategic shift to integrate civic engagement into their climate and justice work, recognizing that their goals cannot be achieved without full democratic participation of those most impacted. Since 1955, MFF has awarded over 1,574 grants totaling more than $37 million to 500+ organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Massachusetts Gateway Cities Program: $10,000 - $100,000+ (Supports resident-led solutions in Holyoke and New Bedford focusing on climate justice, health equity, housing, transportation, and civic engagement. Applications via periodic RFPs)

Massachusetts Statewide Systems Change: $10,000 - $150,000 (Policy and advocacy efforts around transportation, civic engagement, local food security, and voter participation. Invitation only)

New York Climate Coalitions: $10,000 - $100,000 (Environmental and climate justice coalitions like NY Renews and PEAK Coalition. Invitation only for next two years)

Priority Areas

• Climate change and environmental justice
• Civic engagement and democratic participation
• Health equity
• Transportation justice
• Housing justice
• Urban farming and youth leadership
• Local food security
• Voter participation and democratic infrastructure

What They Don't Fund

• Unsolicited proposals (all grants are via RFP or invitation)
• Organizations outside priority geographic areas
• Projects not aligned with intersectional climate/civic engagement focus

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Ruth Goldman (appointed 2023) - Previously served as Program Officer for 18 years, led youth, urban land, and democracy strategies. Founder of Funders' Collaborative for Youth Organizing and Community Food Funders.

Consulting Program Officer: Cara Ferrentino - Senior Advisor for Climate at William Penn Foundation with background in city planning and environmental policy.

CFO: James Maguire - Oversees finance, accounting, IT, and grants processes.

Board Officers: George Whitridge (President), Katie Matys (Vice President), Morgan Whitridge (Treasurer), Trina Whitridge (Secretary)

Trustees: Oona Coy, Ian Hatch, Polly Merck, Willy Merck

The foundation was founded on George Wilhelm Merck's principle of "people before profits" and maintains a commitment to "blending business sense and compassion with ingenuity, integrity, and enthusiasm."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

MFF does not accept unsolicited proposals. All grants are made through periodic RFPs (Requests for Proposals) or by invitation only. Organizations must wait for RFP announcements on their website. The Massachusetts Gateway Cities program uses periodic RFPs, while the Massachusetts Statewide Systems Change and New York Climate Coalitions programs are currently invitation only.

Getting on Their Radar

Since MFF uses an invitation-only model for most programs, organizations can increase visibility by:

• Building strong coalitions and collaborative networks in priority geographic areas
• Demonstrating effective resident-led solutions and community organizing in Holyoke, New Bedford, or New York
• Participating in existing MFF-funded coalitions like NY Renews or PEAK Coalition where their work can be observed
• Developing relationships with current grantees who may recommend organizations for future invitations

Decision Timeline

• RFP release to application deadline: Approximately 4-6 weeks
• Application review and site visits: 6-8 weeks
• Board decision: Approximately 2 months after deadline
• Typical submission periods: Mid-January and mid-July (when RFPs are announced)

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation made 87 grants in 2024 from approximately $3.2 million in available funding.

Reapplication Policy

Not specified, but the foundation emphasizes multi-year relationships and coalition support rather than one-off project grants.

Application Success Factors

Based on MFF's stated priorities and funded organizations, successful applicants typically:

• Work directly in Holyoke, New Bedford, or with New York climate coalitions
• Center communities most impacted by systemic racism and climate disruption in their leadership and programming
• Integrate climate/environmental work with civic engagement and democratic participation rather than treating them as separate issues
• Utilize coalition-building and collaborative approaches rather than working in isolation
• Employ resident-led solutions and community organizing strategies
• Address multiple intersecting issues (climate, health equity, housing, transportation) in their work
• Have clear advocacy and policy change strategies beyond direct service provision
• Demonstrate commitment to racial equity and justice throughout their operations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• MFF operates primarily through invitation-only grants and periodic RFPs - monitor their website regularly for opportunities • The foundation has shifted to an integrated approach combining climate justice with democratic participation - proposals must demonstrate this intersection • Geographic focus is highly specific: Massachusetts (especially Holyoke and New Bedford) and New York climate coalitions • Multi-year coalition and collaborative approaches are strongly preferred over isolated project funding • Organizations led by and serving communities most impacted by systemic injustice are prioritized • With $4 million in annual giving across ~87 grants, typical awards range from $10,000 to $100,000 • Building relationships with current grantees and participating in existing coalitions may lead to future invitations

References

• Merck Family Fund Official Website (www.merckff.org) - Mission, programs, staff, and application information. Accessed February 2026.
• Instrumentl 990 Report for Merck Family Fund - Financial data and grant statistics. Accessed February 2026.
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (EIN: 22-6063382) - Form 990 filings and historical grant lists. Accessed February 2026.
• Inside Philanthropy Profile of Merck Family Fund - Grant ranges and application process details. Accessed February 2026.
• Foundation Directory (Candid) - Historical giving data and focus area analysis. Accessed February 2026.
• Charity Navigator (EIN: 22-6063382) - Financial overview and verification. Accessed February 2026.