Foundation grants for nonprofits in Merced County
Private foundations gave $26 million to organizations in Merced County in tax years 2019 to 2025, according to their own IRS filings.
$26 million
given
573
grants
135
foundations
$1,000
typical grant
Foundations that give in Merced County
The 20 biggest givers here whose tax filings don't say they fund only groups they pick themselves. Check each foundation's own guidelines before you apply.
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The Andrew W Mellon Foundation
Based in New York, NY
Gave $1.7 million in Merced County in 4 grants. Typical grant: $416,500.
- Education
- Workforce & economic development
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Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Based in Lansdowne, VA
Gave $1.0 million in Merced County in 1 grant. Typical grant: $1.0 million.
- Education
-
The Bright Family Foundation
Based in Modesto, CA
Gave $935,000 in Merced County in 8 grants. Typical grant: $100,000.
- Education
- Science & technology
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The California Wellness Foundation
Based in Los Angeles, CA
Gave $810,000 in Merced County in 3 grants. Typical grant: $210,000.
- Education
- Health
- Youth development
-
Lumina Foundation for Education Inc
Based in Indianapolis, IN
Gave $300,000 in Merced County in 1 grant. Typical grant: $300,000.
- Education
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The Henry Luce Foundation Inc
Based in New York, NY
Gave $275,000 in Merced County in 2 grants. Typical grant: $137,500.
- Education
- Arts & culture
-
Gates Foundation
Based in Seattle, WA
Gave $250,000 in Merced County in 1 grant. Typical grant: $250,000.
- Education
-
John Templeton Foundation
Based in West Conshohocken, PA
Gave $233,091 in Merced County in 1 grant. Typical grant: $233,091.
- Arts & culture
- Education
- Science & technology
-
Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation
Based in Irvine, CA
Gave $150,000 in Merced County in 1 grant. Typical grant: $150,000.
- Education
-
Smith Richardson Foundation Inc
Based in Greensboro, NC
Gave $125,000 in Merced County in 1 grant. Typical grant: $125,000.
- Education
-
Alphawood Foundation
Based in Chicago, IL
Gave $117,000 in Merced County in 3 grants. Typical grant: $23,923.
- Education
-
The Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation
Based in San Rafael, CA
Gave $109,000 in Merced County in 3 grants. Typical grant: $36,000.
- Education
- Science & technology
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The Schmidt Family Foundation
Based in Palo Alto, CA
Gave $90,000 in Merced County in 1 grant. Typical grant: $90,000.
- Education
- Food & nutrition
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Conrad N Hilton Foundation
Based in Westlake Village, CA
Gave $75,000 in Merced County in 1 grant. Typical grant: $75,000.
- Public safety & justice
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Hattie Givens Testamentary Trust
Based in Merced, CA
Gave $54,000 in Merced County in 14 grants. Typical grant: $1,000.
- Education
- Workforce & economic development
- Youth development
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The Spencer Foundation
Based in Chicago, IL
Gave $50,000 in Merced County in 1 grant. Typical grant: $50,000.
- Education
-
The Antone and Marie Raymus Foundation
Based in Manteca, CA
Gave $42,230 in Merced County in 2 grants. Typical grant: $21,115.
- Education
- Science & technology
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The Joyce Foundation
Based in Chicago, IL
Gave $40,000 in Merced County in 1 grant. Typical grant: $40,000.
- Education
- Workforce & economic development
-
Isnardi Foundation
Based in Fresno, CA
Gave $33,000 in Merced County in 1 grant. Typical grant: $33,000.
- Education
-
The McConnell Foundation
Based in Redding, CA
Gave $32,500 in Merced County in 2 grants. Typical grant: $16,250.
- Education
See all 135 foundations and how well each fits your organization
Giving by program area in Merced County
| Program area | Foundations | Given |
|---|---|---|
| Education | 90 | $20 million |
| Health | 11 | $5.0 million |
| Arts & culture | 12 | $1.3 million |
| Workforce & economic development | 7 | $1.2 million |
| Human services | 11 | $882,867 |
| Food & nutrition | 10 | $714,825 |
| Science & technology | 6 | $533,821 |
| Youth development | 20 | $499,123 |
| Community development | 8 | $425,158 |
| Public safety & justice | 9 | $324,204 |
| Religion | 9 | $283,096 |
| Environment & animals | 6 | $126,220 |
| Housing & homelessness | 7 | $118,343 |
| International | 3 | $23,551 |
From the grants private foundations list in their IRS tax filings (Form 990-PF, tax years 2019 to 2025), as of Oct 31, 2026. Grants to individuals are left out. A grant counts for the county of the organization that received it, wherever the foundation is based. The typical grant is the middle one. Program areas come from each organization's IRS category and the stated purpose of the grant, so those figures are estimates. A foundation can ask to be left off this page by emailing contact@grantassembly.com.
Find the foundations that fit your organization
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