Martha & Merritt Dejong Foundation
This organization is a private foundation that focuses on supporting the arts and cultural sector, particularly through grants to music and museum initiatives. Its mission appears to center on enhancing community engagement with the arts, as evidenced by its funding of local institutions such as the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and the Evansville Museum. The foundation primarily serves nonprofit organizations that contribute to cultural and historical preservation. Its activities are concentrated in the arts, reflecting a commitment to fostering cultural enrichment.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A small- or mid-sized arts/culture nonprofit based in the foundation's observed geographic focus that seeks general operating or program support and can be introduced or preselected by a trustee or local intermediary.
Good Fit
- • Organization is an arts or cultural institution (museum, orchestra, similar).
- • Primary operations or major programs are located in the observed state/metro.
- • Request is for general operating or program support in the $10K–$30K range.
- • Has a prior relationship or can secure an introduction to a trustee or bank successor trustee.
- • Local visibility or partnerships with other funded cultural institutions.
Geography
Observed giving in the latest year was confined to a single state, indicating a narrow geographic footprint.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows only two distinct recipients and the overall observed recipient base is small across three years, indicating a narrow recipient set with notable dollar concentration.
New Applicants
The foundation's public process is described as preselected/invitation-only; although new grantees appeared in the latest year, the invitation-only rule and lack of a public application route make it unlikely an unfamiliar applicant could easily enter the portfolio.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
