Merkel Foundation Inc.

The Merkel Foundation operates as a classic family foundation with a volunteer board composed entirely of family members — Carol L. Garces (President), Sandra J. Benz and Randy T. Benz (Vice Presidents), Diane M. Knoll, and Carlos M. Garces. None receive compensation, keeping overhead minimal and directing nearly all resources to grantmaking (96.5% of expenses go to charitable disbursements). The foundation takes a multi-sector approach, blending faith-based giving to Roman Catholic parishes, health services funding (community health centers and international health programs), youth development, and education. With $56.1 million in assets and approximately $2.3 million in annual distributions across 47 grants, the foundation maintains a disciplined payout rate while steadily increasing both the number and size of grants over the past decade. The foundation does not publish a formal application form or deadline, instead relying on direct outreach and relationship-based grantmaking, though it reports being open to new applicants with a roughly 12% acceptance rate for first-time requests. Prospective grantees should approach through a well-crafted letter of inquiry mailed to 3465 Muirwood Dr, Brookfield, WI 53045, addressed to President Carol L. Garces.

Merkel Foundation demonstrates several clear funding patterns. First, Catholic parish support is a cornerstone: grants to Holy Apostles Catholic Parish ($150,000) and St Dominic Parish ($110,000) indicate sustained, significant investments in faith-based organizations. Second, the foundation has made substantial commitments to community and global health, with Global Brigades Inc receiving $455,509 (the largest single grant) and Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers receiving $252,768 for Milwaukee-area services. Third, grant sizes range widely from $5,000 to nearly $472,000, with an average of approximately $44,500, suggesting the foundation calibrates its giving to the scale and impact of each recipient. The number of annual grants has grown from roughly 30 per year (2017-2023) to 47 in 2025, reflecting an expanding philanthropic footprint. Asset growth has been remarkable — from $13.1 million in 2020 to $56.1 million in 2025 — fueled primarily by dividend income ($4.8M annually) and contributions ($2.9M), enabling the foundation to increase its giving while growing its corpus. Total annual giving rose from approximately $786,550 in 2020 to $2.3 million in 2025, nearly tripling in five years.

Compared to peer family foundations in Wisconsin, the Merkel Foundation occupies a mid-tier position by assets but demonstrates targeted impact in its chosen focus areas:

While the Merkel Foundation is smaller than Wisconsin's largest private foundations, its multi-state reach across nine states distinguishes it from many peer family foundations that focus exclusively on the Milwaukee metro area. Its blend of Catholic giving with secular health and youth programs gives it a broader impact profile than purely faith-based foundations, while maintaining the personal, relationship-driven approach characteristic of family foundations. The foundation's rapid asset growth ($13M to $56M in five years) suggests it could emerge as a significantly larger player in Wisconsin philanthropy in the coming decade.

The Merkel Foundation has shown significant momentum in recent years. Between 2020 and 2025, total assets quadrupled from $13.1 million to $56.1 million, driven by a combination of investment returns, dividend income, and new contributions. Grant disbursements have kept pace, rising from approximately $786,550 in 2020 to $2.3 million in 2025. The number of grants has also increased substantially, from roughly 30 annually to 47 in 2025, suggesting the foundation is actively expanding its network of grantees rather than simply increasing awards to existing partners. The 2025 filing shows 96.5% of expenses going directly to charitable disbursements, indicating exceptionally lean operations. Geographic expansion is also notable, with the foundation now supporting organizations in nine states including California, Colorado, and Virginia, well beyond its Wisconsin base. The foundation's website (merkelfoundation.org) is currently inactive, which may indicate a preference for maintaining a low public profile consistent with many family foundations of this size.

Prospective applicants should approach the Merkel Foundation with these strategies in mind: (1) Alignment is essential — the foundation has clear preferences for Catholic organizations, community health services, youth development, and education; proposals outside these areas face long odds. (2) Direct outreach is the pathway — with no public application form or website, the best approach is a well-crafted letter of inquiry sent to 3465 Muirwood Dr, Brookfield, WI 53045, addressed to President Carol L. Garces. (3) Demonstrate community impact — the foundation's top grantees (Global Brigades, Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers) show a preference for organizations delivering measurable, direct community benefit. (4) Be realistic about grant size — first-time grants are likely in the $5,000-$25,000 range, with larger awards ($100,000+) reserved for established relationships. (5) Wisconsin-based organizations have an advantage — while the foundation gives nationally, the majority of grants go to Wisconsin organizations, particularly in the Brookfield, Milwaukee, Sheboygan, and Appleton areas. (6) Patience matters — with only 12% of new applicants funded, persistence and relationship-building over multiple years may be necessary. (7) Catholic affiliation strengthens your case — parishes and Catholic-affiliated nonprofits represent a significant share of the foundation's giving portfolio.