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The
Merck Family Fund was established in 1954 by George
W. Merck, President of Merck & Co. He created the
fund for two principal reasons: to do good with
the resources acquired through the company's success,
and to create an opportunity to regularly bring
family members together. His vision for the family
and its participation in effective philanthropy
is still strong.
Though the Fund's grantmaking and administration
has benefited immeasurably in the last decade by
the addition of outstanding staff, the Merck Family
Fund is still very much a family foundation. The
trustees are entirely lineal descendants of George
Merck - as he wished. We believe this raises the
bar for this family to actively participate in organized
philanthropy. In fact, members of the fourth generation
of trustees have recently been elected to the Board
of Trustees.
George Merck died in 1957, at the young age of 62.
Few of his grandchildren knew him. Consequently,
the legacy of his character and his expectations
live on for us through this Family Fund. He was
well known for his ethical standards, hard work,
audaciousness in tackling formidable challenges,and
great sense of humor. We honor these qualities today
by carrying out the work of the Merck Family Fund
in the same spirit.
Patience Merck Chamberlin, Trustee, Granddaughter
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