The Illinois State Capitol

Form 990-PFTax year 2025EIN 36-4156727

Merit Foundation

A private foundation in Mount Prospect, IL. Its return for tax year 2025 lists 27 grants and $59,200 paid in grants.

Tax year 2025 (period ending Dec 31, 2025), read from the IRS e-file on Nov 11, 2026. Returns reach the IRS 5 to 18 months after the year they describe.

How to apply

Preselected only

The return checks the box saying the foundation gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets and giving by year

8 returns on file
Grants paid by tax year. The latest year is in blue.
  • Tax year 2025

    $59,200

    Grants listed
    27
    Assets, end of year
    $1,482,881
  • Tax year 2024

    $71,500

    Grants listed
    25
    Assets, end of year
    $1,416,710
  • Tax year 2023

    $59,000

    Grants listed
    24
    Assets, end of year
    $1,389,606
  • Tax year 2022

    $47,100

    Grants listed
    18
    Assets, end of year
    $1,361,825
  • Tax year 2021

    $47,600

    Grants listed
    19
    Assets, end of year
    $1,359,570
  • Tax year 2020

    $26,800

    Grants listed
    17
    Assets, end of year
    $1,016,046
  • Tax year 2019

    $20,500

    Grants listed
    16
    Assets, end of year
    $956,876
  • Tax year 2018

    $12,200

    Grants listed
    17
    Assets, end of year
    $829,464

Grants paid in 2025

27 grants, largest first

As listed on the return.

  1. Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against DefamationPasadena, CA

    Charitable

    $5,200
  2. Lafayette CollegeEaston, PA

    Education

    $5,200
  3. Mental Health America IncAlexandria, VA

    Charitable

    $5,200
  4. Foundation for the Mount Prospect Public LibraryMt Prospect, IL

    Charitable

    $5,200
  5. Roman Catholic Diocese of Madison IncMadison, WI

    Religious

    $4,200
  6. The Parenting PATHWinston Salem, NC

    Charitable

    $3,000
  7. Wheaton North High SchoolWheaton, IL

    Education

    $3,000
  8. St Jude Childrens Research Hospital IncMemphis, TN

    Charitable

    $2,700
  9. Summit School of AhwatukeePhoenix, AZ

    Education

    $2,700
  10. Trustees of Boston University - Bloom Family LeadershipBoston, MA

    Education

    $2,700
  11. Holy Cross Lutheran ChurchWheaton, IL

    Religious

    $2,700
  12. Trustees of Boston University - Friends of Men's Swimming & DivingBoston, MA

    Charitable

    $2,500
  13. Grace Lutheran ChurchClemmons, NC

    Religious

    $2,000
  14. Edith Kanaka'ole FoundationHilo, HI

    Charitable

    $1,700
  15. Albion CollegeAlbion, MI

    Education

    $1,500
  16. Undies for EveryoneHouston, TX

    Charitable

    $1,500
  17. Southwest Autism Research & Resource CenterPhoenix, AZ

    Charitable

    $1,000
  18. William Marsh Rice University - Women's Club Water PoloHouston, TX

    Charitable

    $1,000
  19. Honolulu Master's Water Polo ClubEwa Beach, HI

    Charitable

    $1,000
  20. Pitt Hopkins FoundationPlymouth, MA

    Scientific

    $1,000
  21. Camp GrayReedsburg, WI

    Recreational

    $1,000
  22. Riverwood Therapeutic Horseback RidingTobaccovile, NC

    Scientific

    $700
  23. Shallow Ford Foundation Inc (coach Murph Scholarship)Clemmons, NC

    Charitable

    $500
  24. Rabbit Sanctuary IncSimpsonville, SC

    Charitable

    $500
  25. Winfield Library FriendsWinfield, IL

    Charitable

    $500
  26. Cancer Services IncWinston Salem, NC

    Chartiable

    $500
  27. Hushabye NurseryGilbert, AZ

    Charitable

    $500

Where the money goes

By cause: grants to organizations we matched to the IRS list of exempt organizations, by their category.

  1. Education6 grants $16,80069% of the total
  2. Health2 grants $3,20013% of the total
  3. Philanthropy and grantmaking1 grant $1,5006% of the total
  4. Medical research1 grant $1,0004% of the total
  5. Sports and recreation1 grant $1,0004% of the total
  6. Animals1 grant $5002% of the total
  7. 1 other causes1 grant $5002% of the total

By State

Grants to organizations with a US address, latest year.

  1. Illinois4 grants $11,400
  2. North Carolina5 grants $6,700
  3. Massachusetts3 grants $6,200
  4. California1 grant $5,200
  5. Pennsylvania1 grant $5,200
  6. Virginia1 grant $5,200
  7. Wisconsin2 grants $5,200
  8. Arizona3 grants $4,200
  9. Hawaii2 grants $2,700
  10. Tennessee1 grant $2,700

Officers, directors and trustees

18 people as filed

As filed on the return, with average hours per week and pay from the foundation.

  • Brenda FruchtTREASURER Hours 1Pay $0
  • Rebecca JohnsonDIRECTOR Hours 1Pay $300
  • Lauren B CantoniDIRECTOR Hours 1Pay $300
  • Stephen FruchtDIRECTOR Hours 1Pay $300
  • Michael FruchtPRESIDENT Hours 1Pay $0
  • Andrew FruchtDIRECTOR Hours 1Pay $300
  • Annemarie JohnsonDIRECTOR Hours 1Pay $300
  • James FruchtDIRECTOR Hours 1Pay $300
  • Katherine FruchtDIRECTOR Hours 1Pay $300
  • Nathaniel FruchtDIRECTOR Hours 1Pay $300
  • Mark FruchtDIRECTOR Hours 1Pay $0
  • Anna FruchtDIRECTOR Hours 1Pay $300
  • Emma CantoniDIRECTOR Hours 1Pay $300
  • Vivian JohnsonJUNIOR DIRECTOR Hours 1Pay $0
  • Adam FruchtJUNIOR DIRECTOR Hours 1Pay $0
  • Elizabeth CantoniJUNIOR DIRECTOR Hours 1Pay $0
  • Brian CantoniSECRETARY Hours 1Pay $0
  • Mitchell JohnsonJUNIOR DIRECTOR Hours 1Pay $0

The return

More foundations

Similar foundations

Same main cause (education), giving between a quarter and four times this foundation’s where possible, nearby first.

  1. Warner Charitable Trust XXXXX1008Chicago, IL 12 grants Preselected only $59,066 giving
  2. Ronald D & Regina C McNeil FoundationLake Zurich, IL 14 grants Preselected only $58,832 giving
  3. Richard and Catherine H Gottfred FoundationChicago, IL 5 grants Accepts applications $58,825 giving
  4. Jack Ringer Family FoundationChicago, IL 17 grants Preselected only $59,600 giving
  5. The Jere E Admire Trust XXXXX5009Chicago, IL 1 grant Preselected only $58,592 giving