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Mersky Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.2M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.0M

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Mersky Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • EIN: 41-1869152
  • Annual Giving: $172,000 (2022)
  • Assets: $2.8 million
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $10,000
  • Median Grant: $4,000
  • Number of Grants: 34-39 annually
  • Geographic Focus: Multi-state (primarily Minnesota, also CO, KY, ND, NJ, NY, WI)
  • Application Process: Invitation only - No unsolicited applications accepted

Contact Details

Address: 700 S 2nd St # W51, Minneapolis, MN 55401-2252

Telephone: 612-343-7610

Note: The foundation does not have a public website or email contact for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Mersky Family Foundation was established in 1997 as a private family foundation in Minnesota. With assets totaling approximately $2.8 million, the foundation makes annual grants of approximately $155,000-$172,000 to support charitable organizations in arts and culture, education, human services, and youth development. Led by the Mersky family - Robert B. Mersky (Chair/Vice President), Mary S. Mersky (President/Secretary/Treasurer), Paul R. Mersky, and Marc S. Mersky (Directors) - all board members serve on a voluntary basis without compensation. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, making contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations rather than accepting unsolicited applications. The family has demonstrated a commitment to Minneapolis-area cultural institutions, including the Minneapolis Institute of Art and Minnesota Museum of American Art, as well as the Minnesota Jewish Community Center.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formally structured grant programs but makes grants across multiple focus areas:

  • Arts & Culture: Support for museums, performing arts, and cultural institutions
  • Education: Educational programs and institutions
  • Human Services: Including housing and shelter initiatives
  • Youth Development: Programs supporting young people
  • Religion-Related Causes: Support for faith-based organizations and initiatives

Grant Amounts: The foundation typically makes grants ranging from approximately $1,000 to $10,000, with a median grant of $4,000. The foundation makes 34-39 grants annually.

Application Method: Invitation only - trustees identify and invite organizations to receive funding. There is no public application process, online portal, or fixed deadlines.

Priority Areas

  • Arts and culture organizations, particularly visual arts institutions
  • Educational programs and institutions
  • Human services organizations
  • Youth development initiatives
  • Faith-based organizations

What They Don't Fund

As a small family foundation with preselected grantees, the foundation does not fund unsolicited requests from organizations. Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the invitation-only model means organizations outside their existing network and focus areas are unlikely to receive consideration.

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team:

  • Robert B. Mersky: Chair/Vice President (Associated with Peregrine Capital Management)
  • Mary S. Mersky: President/Secretary/Treasurer
  • Paul R. Mersky: Director
  • Marc S. Mersky: Director

All board members serve on a voluntary basis without compensation. Both Robert and Mary Mersky are active philanthropists in the Minneapolis area, with documented support to organizations including the Minneapolis Institute of Art (including gifts of works of art), Minnesota Museum of American Art (donors at the $1,001-$2,500 level in 2022-23, with a promised gift of art), and the Minnesota Jewish Community Center.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Mersky Family Foundation operates exclusively on an invitation-only basis and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds or grant applications from the general public.

Grants are awarded based on trustees' discretion and existing relationships with organizations in their areas of interest.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - decisions are made at the trustee level regarding preselected organizations rather than through a competitive application review process.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to the invitation-only model. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, so there is no traditional success rate for public applicants.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations cannot apply or reapply as the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

Since the Mersky Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, understanding what the foundation values may be helpful for organizations in their focus areas:

Foundation's Demonstrated Interests:

  • Arts & Culture: The Mersky family has shown particular interest in visual arts institutions, as evidenced by their support and donations to the Minneapolis Institute of Art and Minnesota Museum of American Art
  • Jewish Community: Support for Jewish community organizations, including the Minnesota JCC
  • Geographic Connection: Strong preference for Minneapolis/Saint Paul area organizations, though they do support select organizations in other states
  • Established Organizations: Grant history suggests preference for established institutions rather than start-ups
  • Multiple Years of Support: Some organizations appear to receive support across multiple years, suggesting the foundation values ongoing relationships

Profile of Typical Grantees: Based on the foundation's grant history, typical grantees include:

  • Cultural institutions (museums, arts organizations)
  • Educational institutions
  • Human service agencies
  • Youth development programs
  • Faith-based organizations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation exclusively makes grants to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited applications or letters of inquiry
  • Small Family Foundation Model: With approximately 34-39 grants annually from a $2.8 million asset base, this is a classic small family foundation that operates based on trustee relationships and interests
  • Modest Grant Sizes: With a median grant of $4,000, this foundation makes small to mid-sized grants typically ranging from $1,000 to $10,000
  • Arts & Culture Emphasis: The Mersky family's documented support of cultural institutions, particularly visual arts organizations in Minneapolis, indicates this is a key area of interest
  • Minneapolis Focus: While the foundation supports some out-of-state organizations, there is a clear emphasis on Minneapolis/Saint Paul area nonprofits
  • Relationship-Based Grantmaking: Success with this foundation depends entirely on existing relationships with the trustee family rather than competitive grant applications
  • Research Their 990s: Organizations interested in understanding the foundation's giving patterns should review their Form 990-PF filings to see specific grant recipients and amounts

References

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