Trellis Charitable Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3.16 million (2023)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not disclosed
• Grant Range: $8,000 - $750,000
• Geographic Focus: Washington DC and New York primarily

Contact Details

• Phone: (202) 966-3411
• Address: 3150 South St. NW, Apt. 2B, Washington, DC 20007
• Website: None (former site retired)
• Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Trellis Charitable Fund is a private foundation established in 1998 with approximately $84.1 million in assets as of 2023. The foundation distributes approximately $3.16 million annually through 14-15 carefully selected grants. Their mission is to "give voice to the voiceless, expose injustice and advocate for change both here and abroad," with a particular focus on how organizations harness communications to bring about positive social change. The foundation operates exclusively on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited proposals. Despite being registered in New Jersey (EIN: 45-4027960), the foundation operates from Washington, DC. All governance information remains private, with no public disclosure of trustees or staff members.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal grant programs but consistently funds three areas:

• Human Rights & Social Justice: $250,000 - $750,000 (general operating support for established organizations)
• Journalism & Democracy: $150,000 - $500,000 (support for investigative journalism organizations)
• Visual Arts - Photography: $8,000 - $100,000 (exhibitions at major institutions)

Priority Areas

• Global human rights advocacy and protection
• Investigative journalism addressing social justice issues
• Reproductive rights and women's health
• Photography exhibitions at major art institutions
• Organizations using strategic communications to drive social change

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, their giving patterns indicate they do not fund:

• Individual requests
• Small grassroots organizations without established track records
• Organizations outside their three focus areas
• Projects without strong communications components

Governance and Leadership

The foundation maintains complete privacy regarding its governance structure. No public information is available about specific trustees, directors, or officers. The foundation reports no compensated employees and appears to operate entirely through volunteer leadership. All decision-making processes and governance structures remain confidential.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are made exclusively by invitation only. The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals or letters of inquiry. According to Inside Philanthropy, "getting through the door here [is] tough without networking."

Getting on Their Radar

According to Inside Philanthropy, networking is essential for accessing this funder. The foundation appears to identify grantees through existing relationships and board connections within the human rights, journalism, and arts sectors. Organizations that have received repeated funding include those with strong reputations in strategic communications and documented impact in their fields.

Decision Timeline

Not disclosed - operates on invitation-only basis

Success Rates

Not applicable - does not accept applications

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation only

Application Success Factors

Based on analysis of funded organizations, Trellis Charitable Fund consistently supports:

• Established organizations with proven track records, particularly Human Rights Watch ($750,000 in 2023), Pulitzer Center ($500,000), and ProPublica ($200,000)
• Organizations that effectively use "rigorous research and strategic interventions" to change lives
• Institutions with strong communications strategies that amplify impact
• Multi-year relationships with select grantees receiving ongoing support
• Organizations based in or with strong presence in Washington DC or New York
• Mid-to-large organizations rather than small grassroots groups

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only funding - no public application process exists
• Relationship-based giving - focuses on long-term support for select organizations
• Communications focus - prioritizes organizations using strategic communications for social change
• Geographic preference - 85% of funding goes to DC and NYC-based organizations
• Established organizations preferred - consistently funds larger, well-known institutions
• General operating support - most grants provide unrestricted funding rather than project-specific
• Limited portfolio - only 14-15 grants annually to carefully selected organizations

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Trellis Charitable Fund Form 990 Data (2022-2023). Accessed February 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/454027960
• Inside Philanthropy - Trellis Charitable Fund Funder Profile. Accessed February 2024. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-t/trellis-charitable-fund
• Candid Foundation Directory Online - Trellis Charitable Fund Profile. Accessed February 2024. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=TREL006
• Cause IQ - Trellis Charitable Fund Nonprofit Profile. Accessed February 2024. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/trellis-charitable-fund,454027960/
• GrantExec - Trellis Charitable Fund Grant History. Accessed February 2024. https://grantexec.com/foundations/454027960
• Charity Navigator - Trellis Charitable Fund Rating. Accessed February 2024. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/454027960
• GuideStar - Trellis Charitable Fund Profile. Accessed February 2024. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/45-4027960