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The Merage Institute For The American Dream is a private corporation based in NEWPORT BEACH, CA. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 2004. The principal officer is % Iff Advisors LLC. It holds total assets of $7.6M. Annual income is reported at $2.4M. ENTREPRENEURS' COMPETITION 45+ - THE COMPETITION IS INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT ENTREPRENEURS OVER THE AGE OF 45 TO DEVELOP UNIQUE IDEAS/PROJECTS/VENTURES/TECHNOLOGIES INTO THE PROMISING SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS. According to available records, The Merage Institute For The American Dream has made 9 grants totaling $1.4M, with a median grant of $150K. Annual giving has decreased from $585K in 2020 to $170K in 2023. Grantmaking activity was highest in 2022 with $670K distributed across 2 grants. Individual grants have ranged from $1K to $425K, with an average award of $158K. The foundation has supported 6 unique organizations. Grants have been distributed to organizations in California and Minnesota and New York. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
ENTREPRENEURS' COMPETITION 45+ - THE COMPETITION IS INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT ENTREPRENEURS OVER THE AGE OF 45 TO DEVELOP UNIQUE IDEAS/PROJECTS/VENTURES/TECHNOLOGIES INTO THE PROMISING SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS.
Expenses: $263K
HOMELAND SECURITY - THE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM FOR HLS EXECUTIVES IS FOCUSED ON ENHANCING COMPANY'S ABILITY TO OPERATE IN THE UNITED STATES AND TO SUCCEED IN THE GLOBAL MARKETPLACE. THE PROGRAM IS TARGETED TOWARDS ISRAELI STARTUP COMPANIES' HLS-RELATED INDUSTRIES INCLUDING TRAFFIC AND ARMS CONTROL, BORDER SECURITY, PERSONAL SAFETY, CYBER PROTECTION, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TRAINING EQUIPMENT, AIR AND ENVIRONMENT SAFETY AND CONTROL, COMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEMS, SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS, PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, MILITARY ELECTRONICS, ANTI-TERROR SYSTEMS, NON-LETHAL WEAPONS FIRE CONTROL, ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS RANGE FINDERS AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT.
Expenses: $217K
MERAGE TALKS - MISSION IS TO ENCOURAGE, SUPPORT AND MENTOR ENTREPRENEURS ACROSS THE WORLD FACING PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL CHALLENGES IN TODAY'S FRAGILE GLOBAL ECONOMY. MERAGE TALKS CARES ABOUT TODAY'S ENTREPRENEUR AND STRIVES TO UNDERSTAND THEIR OBSTACLES VIA DISCUSSION LEADING TO RESOLUTIONS ONE MERAGE TALK AT A TIME. WEEKLY WEBINARS AND INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION GROUPS ARE HELD GLOBALLY TO CREATE CONNECTIONS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES AND BEYOND TO SUPPORT THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT WITH EXPERIENCE, IDEAS, AND KNOWLEDGE TO KEEP THIS SPIRIT THRIVING IN ANY MARKET.
Expenses: $207K
EMERGENCY FOOD PROGRAM - IN CLOSE PARTNERSHIP WITH A VETERANS NGO, WE DEPLOY VOLUNTEERS ACROSS VARIOUS FOOD PANTRIES, WAREHOUSES AND "GRAB AND GO" FOOD BOX DISTRIBUTION/PICK-UP LOCATIONS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. IN CALIFORNIA, NEARLY ONE IN EIGHT PEOPLE FACE FOOD INSECURITY EVERY DAY. WE AIM TO FILL A LARGE VOLUNTEER GAP, WHICH IS NORMALLY FILLED BY CORPORATE AND RETIRED VOLUNTEERS, BY PROVIDING SUPPORT TO THE MUCH-NEEDED DAY-TO-DAY PANTRY OPERATIONS. VOLUNTEERS WILL BE ASSEMBLING, SORTING, AND BOXING NON- PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS INTO FAMILY PACKAGES (INCLUDING ITEMS SUCH AS CANNED VEGETABLES AND FRUITS AND, PASTA), WHICH WILL HELP FEED FAMILIES OF FOUR FOR A WEEK
Expenses:
ENTREPRENEURS' COMPETITION 45+ - THE COMPETITION IS INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT ENTREPRENEURS OVER THE AGE OF 45 TO DEVELOP UNIQUE IDEAS/PROJECTS/VENTURES/TECHNOLOGIES INTO THE PROMISING SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS. Based on available records, the foundation has funded 9 grants. Its grantmaking reaches organizations primarily in CA, MN, NY.
The Merage Institute For The American Dream has distributed a total of $1.4M across 9 grants. The median grant size is $150K, with an average of $158K. Individual grants have ranged from $1K to $425K.
The Merage Institute For The American Dream typically selects its grantees rather than accepting unsolicited proposals.
The Merage Institute For The American Dream is headquartered in NEWPORT BEACH, CA. While based in CA, the foundation distributes grants to organizations across 3 states.
| Name | Title | Compensation | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michelle Merage | PRES/DIRECTOR | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Elisabeth Merage | SECR/TREAS/DIR | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Richard Merage | DIRECTOR | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Lauren Merage | DIRECTOR | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Paul Merage | DIRECTOR | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Total Giving
$2.4M
Total Assets
$10.3M
Fair Market Value
$10.3M
Net Worth
$5.3M
Grants Paid
$170K
Contributions
$2.4M
Net Investment Income
$331K
Distribution Amount
$0
Total: $0
Total Grants
9
Total Giving
$1.4M
Average Grant
$158K
Median Grant
$150K
Unique Recipients
6
Most Common Grant
$5K
of 2023 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange County Community FoundationGENERAL OPERATING | Irvine, CA | $165K | 2023 |
| Tillys Life CenterGENERAL OPERATING | Irvine, CA | $4K | 2023 |
| Chabad Of LagunaGENERAL OPERATING | Laguna Beach, CA | $1K | 2023 |
| The Mayo ClinicGENERAL OPERATIONS | Rochester, MN | $150K | 2020 |
| Tilly'S Life CenterGENERAL OPERATIONS | Irvine, CA | $5K | 2020 |
NEW YORK, NY
PALO ALTO, CA
LITTLETON, CO
| 2018 | 990PF | View |
| 2017 | 990PF | View |
| 2016 | 990PF | View |
| 2015 | 990PF | View |
| Israel Healthcare FoundationGENERAL OPERATIONS |
| New York, NY |
| $5K |
| 2020 |
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