About Us

Photo Corporation of America (PCA) incorporated in Charlotte in May of 1967. The company employed a small group of itinerant photographers who set up shop inside a store for a few days at a time. In 1968, PCA operated its first test studio in a Kmart store in Detroit, Michigan. Photographers took portraits of 1,200 children within a five-day period. PCA quickly became the fastest growing company in North Carolina during the 1970s. The company was renowned for its cutting-edge technology, process innovations, and groundbreaking employee benefit programs. Headquartered in Matthews, North Carolina, PCA expanded internationally into Europe, Australia and Japan and employed as many as 7,500 people. The profits that Anke and Casey Mermans personally earned from this successful business venture became the underlying assets of The Merancas Foundation.

The Merancas Foundation was founded by Anke and Casey Mermans in 1989. The couple was bothered to see people work hard yet not be able to afford a basic living. They knew they could help make a difference in the lives of those in need. Guided by the principle that philanthropy should be an investment in our communities, The Merancas Foundation has sought out partners that can deliver services to deserving individuals and families. While we understand that the frameworks of poverty and opportunity are complex, we are committed to continue investing in our communities as long as we have the resources to do so. Please read our mission, vision, and values to understand how we plan to tackle these challenges going forward.