Merrick Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Merrick Foundation is run by Foundation Management Inc. and focuses on south-central Oklahoma. Top interests are education, human services, and community development.
FUNDING AREAS: Education, economic development, arts and culture, self-sufficiency, health and wellness, human services, humanities
IP TAKE: The management company in charge here is a good one to get to know because it assists many Oklahoma foundations. Get familiar with the company and what each of its foundations focus on.
PROFILE: Founded in 1948, the Merrick Foundation was established by Ward S. Merrick Sr. on behalf of his parents, F.W. Merrick and Elizabeth B. Merrick. Today, it is run by Foundation Management, which represents multiple family foundations, community foundation, charitable foundations, charitable trusts, and public trusts. The foundation seeks to “enhance the quality of life and the improvement of health for our fellow Oklahomans and their communities with a primary emphasis on South Central Oklahoma.” Top areas of grant support are human services, education, health and wellness, and community development.
Merrick awards grants to nonprofits working in this region that address independence, education, economic growth, and arts and culture. Most of the funder’s recent support has gone to human services lately, followed by education and then health and wellness and community development. In the past, Merrick has supported the Ardmore YMCA, the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, and health education in Oklahoma colleges and universities. Significant support has also gone to the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, the University of Oklahoma, and Oklahoma Christian University. View a list of major foundation accomplishments to benefit Oklahoma on the funder’s website.
Foundation grants tend to range from $1,000 to $25,000. View the funder’s recent tax records to learn more about prior grantees. Grantmaking is largely focused on Oklahoma City, and it gives preference to charitable organizations in Oklahoma. All grants have a very local focus.
The funder accepts unsolicited letters of inquiry from nonprofits. There is one letter of intent deadline per year, typically in July. Then the application deadline is in October, decisions are made in November, and grants are funded in December. The application process is all online and can be accessed through the foundation website. Direct general questions to the Oklahoma City office of Foundation Management at 405-755-5571 or via email at wmerrick@fmiock.com.
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