# Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation

Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation is an Endowment / Foundation based in Sioux Falls, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Endowment / Foundation
- **Headquarters:** Sioux Falls, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** Sioux Falls, SD, United States
- **Founded:** 2000
- **Assets under management:** 665.55 (Altss estimate)
- **Website:** mertzfoundation.org
- **LinkedIn:** https://linkedin.com/company/esther-and-harold-mertz-foundation

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

The Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation was established in 2000 by the founders of Publishers Clearing House. Harold Mertz built the direct marketing company that generated the underlying wealth. The foundation functions as a 501(c)(3) grantmaker with a stated emphasis on true charity and human welfare. Assets include a portfolio of commercial office buildings in New York held via Lavender Holdings LLC, the historic Quarry Hill residence in Bath County, Virginia, and public equity and fixed income positions valued at $48 million as of the 2023 tax filing. The foundation previously donated Cypress Creek Preserve land in Florida to a water management district. Geographic exposure centers on the United States with holdings in South Dakota, New York, Virginia and Florida. Lavender Trust Company Inc serves as trustee under Nancy L. Close. South Dakota Trust Company provides additional administration. White & Case LLP acts as legal counsel. No operational events from the last 24 months appear in available records. The foundation maintains 100 percent ownership of Lavender Holdings LLC and a minority stake in an unnamed operating company. Governance flows through the trust structure rather than a traditional family office succession model.

## Sectors

- Real Estate
- Philanthropy

## People

- Harold Mertz — Founder
- Esther Mertz — Founder
- Nancy L. Close — CEO of Lavender Trust Company Inc
- John M. Olivieri — Board member

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at the Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation?

Nancy L. Close serves as CEO of Lavender Trust Company Inc, the primary trustee. John M. Olivieri sits on the board as a partner at White & Case LLP. No separate CIO or investment committee is identified in records.

### What asset classes does the foundation hold?

Holdings include commercial real estate through Lavender Holdings LLC, a residential property in Virginia, and public equities and bonds valued at approximately $48 million as of 2023. It also maintains an investment vehicle in Sarasota, Florida.

### Does the foundation make direct investments or only grants?

The foundation holds direct real estate assets and public securities. It also functions as a grantmaker supporting education, medical, recreational and faith-based organizations.

### Which service providers support the foundation?

Lavender Trust Company Inc acts as trustee. South Dakota Trust Company provides administration. White & Case LLP supplies legal counsel.

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- [PKS Advisory Services](https://altss.com/profile/pks-advisory-services)
- [Norges Bank Pensjonskasse](https://altss.com/profile/norges-bank-pensjonskasse)

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/esther-and-harold-mertz-foundation

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