The Merrill Area Community Foundation offers grants to nonprofit organizations in the Merrill area to support a wide range of projects that improve the well-being and prosperity of the community. These grants are intended to promote collaboration, strengthen community responses to evolving needs, help people to help themselves, and build upon cultural and economic strengths. The foundation typically does not fund annual campaigns, debt retirement, direct support of individuals, operating losses, endowments, lobbying, operating expenses, or sectarian causes. The foundation meets quarterly to review applications, which are due by 5 p.m. on the first business day of January, April, July, and October.