France-Merrick Foundation

• The France-Merrick Foundation prioritises Maryland and the Greater Baltimore area, funding across civic and culture, community and economic development, conservation, education, health and human services, and historic preservation, so a small charity should check its work sits clearly within one of these six areas before approaching.
• Most grants to organisations fall between $500 and $150,000, with half of all grants at $12,500 or less, so a modest, well-scoped request is realistic, though the largest grant recorded was $500,000.
• The Foundation favours one-time, project-oriented requests with a defined beginning and end rather than annual giving or ongoing operational support, so frame any approach as a discrete project and start with a Letter of Inquiry, which can be submitted at any time on a rolling basis; if this is well received, the Foundation will invite a fuller proposal, a programme officer will follow up, and a site visit is frequently required, so be ready to host one.
• The Foundation does not fund individuals, special events or advertising space in programs, deficit financing or debt reduction, political activities, or general operating/annual giving, so organisations or requests falling into these categories should not apply; applicants must hold 501(c)(3) status and be able to show financial stability, administrative capacity and clear evaluation plans.
• With 46% of grant dollars to organisations going to those also funded in the two prior years, there is a meaningful tilt towards continuing relationships, so new applicants should present a strong, well-evidenced case while recognising that repeat relationships feature prominently in its giving.

The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:

• University of Baltimore Foundation · Grants are to be used in accordance with the established purpose of the recipient organization.
  $305,0002024 tax year
• Turnaround Tuesday · Grants are to be used in accordance with the established purpose of the recipient organization.
  $300,0002024 tax year
• University of Maryland Baltimore County · Grants are to be used in accordance with the established purpose of the recipient organization.
  $300,0002024 tax year
• Nature Conservancy · Grants are to be used in accordance with the established purpose of the recipient organization.
  $254,5002024 tax year
• HCH Real Estate Company · Grants are to be used in accordance with the established purpose of the recipient organization.
  $250,0002024 tax year
• Jhu - School Of Nursing · Grants are to be used in accordance with the established purpose of the recipient organization.
  $205,0002024 tax year
• Drink at the Well · Grants are to be used in accordance with the established purpose of the recipient organization.
  $201,0002024 tax year
• Maryland Science Center · Grants are to be used in accordance with the established purpose of the recipient organization.
  $200,0002024 tax year

Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.

Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.