Merit America

Analysis

Merit America is a registered charity in United States, based in Washington, DC. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in September 2019, 7 years ago. Its declared purposes cover human services, which this site groups under poverty relief. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, Merit America reported income of $43.2m and spending of $36.2m, spending 84% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $2.8m to $43.2m (+1445%), an average of +98% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2022, when income rose by 148%. Over the whole period it spent 77% of the income it received.

Among 62,758 United States charities whose main cause is poverty relief and that reported income, Merit America sits at the 99th percentile: it is larger than about 99% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 98th percentile, and in the 97th percentile within DC. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services Inc ($43.2m), South Metro Human Services ($43.2m) and Worcester Community Action Council Inc ($43.1m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 67% and program service revenue 32% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $2.0m (5.6% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $17.0m. At year end it held assets of $30.5m against liabilities of $9.7m, net assets of $20.7m. It reported 229 employees.