[1] He is a long-time Mackinac Center for Public Policy supporter and is the president of Christian Family Foundation in Naples, Florida.
He has also been associated with the Lenawee Christian School, the Christian Family Centre, Huntington University, Bill Glass Prison Ministries, and the American Bible Society [1] Richard Merillat and his wife Lynette are well-known philanthropists in both Florida and Michigan.
The Merillat Quarter Horse Farm was widely renowned with AQHA World Champions at Stud.
[2] The Merillats created the Merillat Scholars Program at Huntington University in Huntington, Indiana, a program providing financial assistance to students there who are members of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, student leaders of Youth for Christ, or children of Huntington alumni.
The college awarded him an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree.