Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation
Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation maintains over $600M in assets with zero reported officer compensation.
EIN: 137231616 · Sioux Falls, SD · NTEE: T22 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $7.4M |
| Total Expenses | $3.4M |
| Program Spending | 95% |
| Net Assets | $681.8M |
| Transparency Score | 90/100 |
Is Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation Legit?
Appears Legitimate
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation directs 95% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation
Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation (EIN: 137231616) is a nonprofit organization based in Sioux Falls, SD, classified under NTEE code T22. The organization reported total revenue of $7.4M and total assets of $665.6M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 26 years, with 11 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023).
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $5.4M |
| Total Expenses | $3.4M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$2.0M |
| Total Assets | $681.8M |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $681.8M |
| Operating Margin | 36.5% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 2374.6 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation reported a surplus of $2.0M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 2374.6 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.0% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -36.0% | +18.3% | +0.3% |
| 2022 | -61.2% | -83.4% | +0.8% |
| 2021 | +453.3% | -73.5% | +1.7% |
| 2020 | -48.0% | +98.6% | -3.8% |
| 2019 | +196951.6% | +261608.8% | +19245.5% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2000 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation with a Mission Score of 90 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 5%
- programs: 95%
- fundraising: 0%
According to IRS 990 filings, Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 5%, programs: 95%, fundraising: 0%. With 95% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $2.0M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The foundation consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries are paid to officers, which is highly efficient for an organization of its size and asset base.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation:
- Substantial and stable asset base, consistently over $600 million, ensuring long-term sustainability.
- Zero reported officer compensation, indicating highly efficient executive cost management.
- Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, demonstrating good transparency.
- Low liabilities relative to assets, with liabilities often reported as $1 in recent years, indicating strong financial health.
Frequently Asked Questions about Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation
Is Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation a legitimate charity?
Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation (EIN: 137231616) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in South Dakota. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 90/100. It has 11 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $7.4M. No red flags identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: A.
How does Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation spend its money?
Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation directs 95% of its spending to programs and services. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation tax-deductible?
Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 137231616). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How does Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 90/100 (Excellent), Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation is above average for NTEE category T22 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation located?
Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation is headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and files with the IRS under EIN 137231616. It is classified under NTEE code T22.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation have?
Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation has 11 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $7.4M in total revenue.
What is the primary focus of the grants made by the Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation?
As a private foundation with NTEE code T22 (Private Grantmaking Foundations), its primary focus is making grants to other organizations. The specific areas of grantmaking would require reviewing the Schedule I (Grants and Other Assistance) of its 990 filings.
How does the foundation manage its significant asset base?
With assets consistently over $600 million, the foundation likely employs professional investment management to generate income (revenue) that supports its grantmaking activities. The fluctuations in revenue suggest reliance on investment returns.
Why do the expenses vary so widely year-to-year, such as $66 million in 2020 versus $2.9 million in 2022?
As a grantmaking foundation, its expenses primarily consist of grants paid out. These large fluctuations are typical for foundations that may make significant, multi-year, or fewer but larger grants in certain periods, or respond to specific needs.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation showing financial trends over 11 years of public records:
Total assets increased by 35191.9% over the same period, from $1.9M to $681.8M. Total functional expenses rose by 1222.5%, from $261K to $3.4M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation reported a surplus of $2.0M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $681.8M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $681.8M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $5.4M | $3.4M | $681.8M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $8.5M | $2.9M | $679.7M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $21.8M | $17.5M | $674.1M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $3.9M | $66.1M | $662.7M | $132K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $7.6M | $33.3M | $689.0M | $313K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $4K | $13K | $3.6M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $2K | $228K | $3.6M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $1.9M | $3K | $3.8M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $527 | $4K | $1.9M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $2K | $78K | $1.9M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $-157,122 | $261K | $1.9M | $1 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $5.4M, expenses of $3.4M, and assets of $681.8M (revenue -36.0% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $8.5M, expenses of $2.9M, and assets of $679.7M (revenue -61.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $21.8M, expenses of $17.5M, and assets of $674.1M (revenue +453.3% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $3.9M, expenses of $66.1M, and assets of $662.7M (revenue -48.0% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $7.6M, expenses of $33.3M, and assets of $689.0M (revenue +196951.6% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $4K, expenses of $13K, and assets of $3.6M (revenue +111.5% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $2K, expenses of $228K, and assets of $3.6M (revenue -99.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $1.9M, expenses of $3K, and assets of $3.8M (revenue +369426.4% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $527, expenses of $4K, and assets of $1.9M (revenue -77.5% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $2K, expenses of $78K, and assets of $1.9M.
- 2011: Revenue of $-157,122, expenses of $261K, and assets of $1.9M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Esther And Harold Mertz Foundation is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.