Mousetrap Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,754,399 (2023)
• Number of Grants: 37 awards (2023)
• Average Grant Size: ~$47,400 (calculated)
• Geographic Focus: Virginia and Washington, DC metropolitan area
• Foundation Type: Private Independent Foundation
• Established: July 2002

Contact Details

Address: 12030 Sunrise Valley Dr, Suite 450, Reston, VA 20191-3400

Phone: (703) 437-9720

Email: [email protected] (Sterling Foundation Management)

Management: Sterling Foundation Management, LLC

EIN: 52-2285383

Overview

The Mousetrap Foundation is a private independent foundation established in July 2002 and based in Reston, Virginia. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and is professionally managed by Sterling Foundation Management, LLC. The foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in Virginia and the Washington, DC metropolitan area, with a particular focus on funding the operations of The Greenhouse Project and pro-bono initiatives. In 2023, the foundation distributed $1,754,399 in grants across 37 awards, representing a significant increase in grantmaking activity compared to previous years (15 awards in both 2022 and 2021). The foundation files Form 990-PF annually with the IRS, as required of private foundations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Mousetrap Foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. As a private foundation, it makes grants through discretionary grantmaking processes.

Types of Support:

• General operating support
• Project support
• Pro-bono project funding

Priority Areas

The foundation's primary funding focus includes:

• The Greenhouse Project: A significant portion of funding supports The Greenhouse Project (EIN 27-0689431), an environmental education nonprofit based in Carson City, Nevada, focused on sustainable agriculture, organic vegetable production for low-income communities, and educational programming for students
• Pro-bono Projects: Support for projects providing professional services on a charitable basis
• Virginia and DC Area Nonprofits: General support for nonprofit organizations operating in the Virginia and Washington, DC metropolitan region

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. As a private foundation with limited public information, applicants should research the foundation's 990-PF filings to identify the types of organizations and projects they have historically supported.

Governance and Leadership

Leadership information for the Mousetrap Foundation is not publicly available through standard nonprofit databases. The foundation's trustees, board directors, and officers are listed in its annual Form 990-PF filings with the IRS.

Foundation Management: Sterling Foundation Management, LLC provides comprehensive foundation management services for the Mousetrap Foundation, handling administrative and operational functions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Mousetrap Foundation does not have a public application process. As a private foundation, it typically pre-selects organizations for support rather than accepting unsolicited applications. This is a common practice among private and family foundations seeking to reduce administrative burden and focus their grantmaking on organizations they have researched or with which they have established relationships.

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept open applications, organizations seeking potential funding should consider:

• Research Past Grantees: Review the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (available through ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer, GuideStar, or the IRS) to identify organizations that have received grants and assess alignment with your organization
• Geographic Alignment: Ensure your organization operates in Virginia or the Washington, DC metropolitan area, as this is the foundation's stated geographic focus
• Professional Management Connection: Since the foundation is managed by Sterling Foundation Management, LLC, understanding their approach to philanthropy may provide insights into grantmaking priorities

Decision Timeline

Information about specific decision timelines is not publicly available. As the foundation operates on a discretionary basis rather than scheduled grant cycles, timing varies based on trustee meetings and strategic planning.

Success Rates

Based on available data:

• 2023: 37 grants awarded
• 2022: 15 grants awarded
• 2021: 15 grants awarded

The significant increase in 2023 suggests expanded grantmaking capacity or strategic shifts. Without information on the number of organizations considered, specific success rates cannot be calculated.

Reapplication Policy

No public information is available regarding reapplication policies or restrictions for organizations that may have been declined or completed previous grants.

Application Success Factors

Given the invitation-only nature of the Mousetrap Foundation's grantmaking, success factors differ from foundations with open application processes:

1. Geographic Alignment: Organizations must operate within the Virginia and Washington, DC metropolitan area to align with stated priorities

2. Mission Alignment: Based on the foundation's support of The Greenhouse Project, environmental education, sustainable community initiatives, and pro-bono service projects appear to resonate with foundation values

3. Operational Excellence: As the foundation provides general operating support, demonstrating strong organizational management and sustainability may be valued

4. Relationship Building: Private foundations typically fund organizations known to trustees or discovered through their networks. Building relationships within the Virginia/DC philanthropic community may increase visibility

5. Review Past Grantees: Study organizations that have received funding to identify patterns in mission, size, geographic location, and program types that receive support

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This is a private foundation that does not accept unsolicited applications. Traditional grant writing approaches will not be effective.

• Research is Essential: Study the foundation's Form 990-PF filings to understand grantmaking patterns, typical grant sizes, and types of organizations funded.

• Geographic Focus: Strong preference for Virginia and Washington, DC area nonprofits. Organizations outside this region are unlikely to be considered.

• Significant Grantmaker: With $1.75+ million in annual giving and an average grant size of ~$47,400, this foundation makes substantial awards.

• Growing Grantmaking: The increase from 15 grants (2021-2022) to 37 grants (2023) suggests expanding philanthropic activity and potential openness to new partnerships.

• Professional Management: Sterling Foundation Management handles operations, indicating a professional, structured approach to grantmaking.

• Strategic Focus: The foundation's sustained support of The Greenhouse Project suggests long-term relationship building and multi-year funding are part of their approach.

References

1. Cause IQ - The Mousetrap Foundation Profile. Accessed March 10, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/mousetrap-foundation,522285383/

2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Mousetrap Foundation (EIN 52-2285383). Accessed March 10, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/522285383

3. Instrumentl - Mousetrap Foundation 990 Report. Accessed March 10, 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/mousetrap-foundation-co-sterling-foundation-management-llc

4. Charity Navigator - Mousetrap Foundation Profile. Accessed March 10, 2026. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/522285383

5. GuideStar - Mousetrap Foundation Profile. Accessed March 10, 2026. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/52-2285383

6. Sterling Foundation Management Website. Accessed March 10, 2026. https://www.sterlingfoundations.com/

7. GrantStation - The Mousetrap Foundation. Accessed March 10, 2026. https://grantstation.com/grantmakers/mousetrap-foundation

8. Candid Foundation Directory - The Mousetrap Foundation. Accessed March 10, 2026. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=MOUS005