The Montana State Capitol
Foundation Lookup

Form 990-PFTax year 2024EIN 46-1388787

Merlin Foundation Inc

A private foundation in Missoula, MT. Its return for tax year 2024 lists 46 grants and $363,000 paid in grants.

See which foundations fund work like yours Matching by cause, place and grant size

Tax year 2024 (period ending Dec 31, 2024), 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

7 returns on file
Grants paid by tax year. The latest year is in blue.

  • Tax year 2024

    $363,000

    Grants listed
    46
    Assets, end of year
    $7,028,236

  • Tax year 2023

    $336,000

    Grants listed
    47
    Assets, end of year
    $7,161,617

  • Tax year 2022

    $216,000

    Grants listed
    38
    Assets, end of year
    $7,526,882

  • Tax year 2021

    $190,000

    Grants listed
    31
    Assets, end of year
    $6,143,822

  • Tax year 2020

    $160,000

    Grants listed
    28
    Assets, end of year
    $3,518,334

  • Tax year 2019

    $94,000

    Grants listed
    27
    Assets, end of year
    $3,544,909

  • Tax year 2018

    $64,600

    Grants listed
    18
    Assets, end of year
    $2,974,602

Grants paid in 2024

46 grants, largest first

As listed on the return. Grants to individuals show as “Individual”, with purpose and amount only.

  1. University of Montana FoundationMissoula, MT

    Support u of M'S chair of fisheries to help make an impact for the health of montana fish

    $32,500
  2. Missoula Community FoundationMissoula, MT

    Enhance the missoula community by strengthening non profits.

    $30,000
  3. Individual

    Protecting the nature that people rely on for food and fresh water

    $25,000
  4. Individual

    FUND PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS IN THE [individual] COMMUNITY.

    $20,000
  5. Individual

    Sliding scale tuition for stifts nature campts, and $4,000 to support scape school programs

    $16,000
  6. Individual

    SUPPORT [individual] IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATION AND PLAY

    $10,000
  7. Missoula Food BankMissoula, MT

    Provide support for a hunger-free community

    $10,000
  8. The Roxy TheaterMissoula, MT

    Support cinema through education and community

    $10,000
  9. The Safina CenterSetauket, NY

    Support scientific research and conservation through literature, art, film and photography

    $10,000
  10. The David Sheldrick Wildlife TrustLaguna Hills, CA

    Support the orphan's project

    $10,000
  11. Hawaii Peoples FundHonolulu, HI

    Support organizations challenging systems of oppression

    $10,000
  12. Montana Land RelianceHelena, MT

    Support to permanently protect montana's lands

    $10,000
  13. Individual

    WORK IN [individual] TO PROTECT NATURE AND THE RAINFORESTS

    $10,000
  14. Individual

    SUPPORT [individual] IN THE [individual] AREA

    $10,000
  15. HomewordMissoula, MT

    Educate homebuyers and strengthen montana communities

    $10,000
  16. Youth HomesMissoula, MT

    To provide safety for children who face trauma, abuse, and neglect

    $10,000
  17. Individual

    PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR CLEAN AND HEALTHY [individual]

    $7,500
  18. Blackfoot ChallengeOvando, MT

    Support conservation and education in the blackfoot valley

    $5,000
  19. Individual

    Support to build networks to foster a resilient community.

    $5,000
  20. Individual

    Support montana children with hands on experience for STEM knowledge

    $5,000
  21. The Friendship CenterHelena, MT

    Provide a safe place for victims of domestic violence and assualt.

    $5,000
  22. Girls ThriveHelena, MT

    Fund program to empower girls through sports to promote self confidence and self esteem

    $5,000
  23. Helena Food ShareHelena, MT

    Support to create a hunger-free community.

    $5,000
  24. Montana Bicycle Guild IncHelena, MT

    Support building and maintaining new and existing trails in montana.

    $5,000
  25. Montana Science CenterBozeman, MT

    Support science education for families of southwest montana.

    $5,000
  26. Individual

    Support river restoration projects and pursue activities that support a healthy ecosystem

    $5,000
  27. Owl Research InstituteCharlo, MT

    Support owl conservation through research and education.

    $5,000
  28. Wild Skies Raptor CenterBonner, MT

    Support rescue, rehab and release of raptors in western montana

    $5,000
  29. Individual

    Program support for shelter, meals and clothing for those in need

    $5,000
  30. Yellowstone ForeverBozeman, MT

    Support projects to help sustain yellowstone national park

    $5,000
  31. Casting for RecoveryBozeman, MT

    Provides fly fishing retreats and other services for breast cancer survivors

    $5,000
  32. Family Promise of Greater HelenaHelena, MT

    Help families in helena, MT to overcome homelessness

    $5,000
  33. Individual

    Support work to educate children about the world of butterflies and insects

    $5,000
  34. Individual

    HELP PROTECT [individual] RESERVE

    $5,000
  35. Maine Inside OutLewiston, ME

    Create theater and inspiration for social change

    $5,000
  36. The PulpMissoula, MT

    Support continuance of independent journalism in missoula and western montana

    $5,000
  37. Watson Children's CenterMissoula, MT

    Work to provide shelter, safety, and stability for children in western montana

    $5,000
  38. Montana Audubon SocietyHelena, MT

    Promote conservation education in montana

    $4,000
  39. Audubon Society of Lincoln CityLincoln City, OR

    Promote conservation to protect native birds of oregon

    $3,000
  40. Northern Plains Resource CouncilBillings, MT

    Support montanans to protect the environment

    $3,000
  41. Ecology Project InterntionalMissoula, MT

    Protect critical wildlife habitat

    $2,500
  42. High Country NewsPaonia, CO

    Publish news magazine to inspire people to act on behalf of the west's natural and human communities

    $2,500
  43. The Dollywood FoundationSevierville, TN

    Support the dolly parton's imagination library gifting books free of charge to children around the world

    $2,000
  44. Individual

    Support of nature and the environment through education

    $2,000
  45. Individual

    SUPPORT FOR TRAINING [individual] FOR [individual] PROTECTION OF WILDLIFE AND PLACES

    $2,000
  46. Jeanette Rankin Peace CenterMissoula, MT

    Inspire montana communities to be better inhabitants of our ever-changing world

    $1,000

Where the money goes

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

  1. Education1 grant $32,50020% of the total
  2. Community development1 grant $30,00018% of the total
  3. Human services3 grants $25,00015% of the total
  4. Environment4 grants $22,50014% of the total
  5. Animals2 grants $15,0009% of the total
  6. Arts and culture2 grants $10,0006% of the total
  7. 5 other causes5 grants $30,00018% of the total

By State

Grants to organizations with a US address, latest year.

  1. Montana24 grants $188,000
  2. California1 grant $10,000
  3. Hawaii1 grant $10,000
  4. New York1 grant $10,000
  5. Maine1 grant $5,000
  6. Oregon1 grant $3,000
  7. Colorado1 grant $2,500
  8. Tennessee1 grant $2,000

Officers, directors and trustees

6 people as filed

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

  • Susan E O'ConnorChairman Hours 5Pay $0
  • Roy S O'ConnorDirector Hours 0.5Pay $0
  • Christopher C O'ConnorDirector Hours 0.5Pay $0
  • Mathew C O'ConnorDirector Hours 0.5Pay $0
  • Philip E O'ConnorTreasurer Hours 0.5Pay $0
  • Amelia J O'ConnorSecretary Hours 0.5Pay $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. Montana Pool Service FoundationMissoula, MT 8 grants Accepts applications $880,628 giving
  2. The Discovery Foundation IncMissoula, MT 3 grants Preselected only $106,500 giving
  3. Heisey Foundation Co US BankGreat Falls, MT 35 grants Preselected only $354,395 giving
  4. Harris Family FoundationBozeman, MT 17 grants Preselected only $290,000 giving
  5. The Braewold FundSheridan, MT 73 grants Preselected only $495,293 giving