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The Trompeter Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.5M
Grant Range
$34K - $0.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,461,603 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available (trustee-discretion)
  • Grant Range: $33,500 - $150,000
  • Geographic Focus: Ohio (primarily Toledo area), with some grants to Florida
  • Foundation Type: Private family foundation with no public application process

Contact Details

Trustee: KeyBank N.A. Location: Brooklyn, OH EIN: 87-6831610 Website: trompeterfoundation.org (limited public information available)

Note: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grants are made at the discretion of the trustee and foundation leadership.

Overview

The Trompeter Family Foundation (also known as MMSS Family Foundation) was established in February 2023 by Patrick Trompeter, founder and chairman of Erie Home, a national residential home improvement and re-roofing company. Despite being a relatively new foundation, it holds substantial assets of $21.9 million and distributed $1.46 million in charitable disbursements in 2024. The foundation operates as a private grantmaking organization managed through KeyBank N.A. as trustee, with $52,413 in officer compensation reported. The foundation reflects Patrick Trompeter's personal philosophy of providing "a hand up, versus a handout," rooted in his own life story of being born in Cork, Ireland, spending early years in an orphanage before being adopted by an American family, and building a successful business from the ground up.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes general operating grants to nonprofit organizations, with recent documented grants including:

  • Hope Toledo: $150,000 (General Operating)
  • Toledo Urban Foundation: $150,000 (General Operating)
  • Collier Community Foundation: $100,000 (General Operating)
  • JWH Oregon Senior Citizens Center: $100,000 (Challenge Match)
  • Average documented grant distribution: $33,500 annually according to 990-PF filings

Priority Areas

Based on documented grants and the founder's stated interests, the foundation focuses on:

  • Education: Supporting students in underprivileged schools, establishing scholarships
  • Social Services: Senior services, healthcare access for underserved populations
  • Community Development: Organizations serving the Toledo, Ohio region
  • Healthcare: Community healthcare centers like Compassion Health Toledo
  • Youth Development: Programs like Art Tatum Zone that enrich students' lives
  • Catholic Education: Support for institutions like St. Ursula Academy, including Family Hardship Funds and faculty compensation

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly documented, but the foundation appears to focus exclusively on Ohio-based organizations (primarily Toledo region) with one exception in Florida.

Governance and Leadership

Founder and Primary Supporter: Patrick Trompeter

  • Born in Cork, Ireland; spent early years in an orphanage before being adopted
  • Built Erie Home from the ground up starting in 1982, growing it to a national company with $448 million in revenue across 37 field offices in 19 states
  • Transitioned from CEO to Chairman of Erie Home in 2023
  • Has four daughters who are actively engaged in the foundation's work
  • Based in Toledo, Ohio

Trustee: KeyBank N.A.

  • Serves as the institutional trustee managing the foundation's operations
  • KeyBank provides professional fiduciary and foundation management services

Foundation Philosophy (from Patrick Trompeter): "Success is measured by one's impact on others' lives, and a person's birthplace should not determine their future."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Trompeter Family Foundation does not have a public application process. Grants are made at the discretion of the foundation's leadership and trustee (KeyBank N.A.). The foundation appears to identify beneficiaries through personal connections, community relationships, and initiatives that align with the founder's philanthropic vision.

Recent grants have been trustee-initiated rather than responsive to applications. For example, the $100,000 grant to JWH Oregon Senior Citizens Center was provided proactively as a challenge match to help the organization address budget shortfalls from a failed levy.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the limited specific information about the foundation's beneficiary identification process, the following approach is recommended based on the foundation's documented giving pattern:

Geographic Focus: The foundation strongly favors Toledo, Ohio area nonprofits. Organizations in this region, particularly those in Brooklyn, Oregon (OH), and surrounding communities, appear more likely to receive consideration.

Community Visibility: The JWH Oregon Senior Center donation was reportedly inspired by community visibility and the organization's demonstrated need. Maintaining strong community presence and transparent communication about organizational needs may help attract attention.

Connection to Patrick Trompeter's Values: Organizations that align with the founder's philosophy of providing "a hand up, versus a handout" and supporting populations facing disadvantage (reflecting his own background) may resonate with the foundation's mission.

Areas of Established Interest: The foundation has supported healthcare access, senior services, education (particularly for underprivileged students), youth development, and Catholic educational institutions.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, based on documented grants and the founder's stated approach:

Alignment with Personal Mission: Organizations that embody the founder's philosophy of empowerment over dependency appear to receive support. Pat Trompeter explicitly states the foundation provides "a hand up, versus a handout" and believes in "leveraging position to inspire community involvement."

General Operating Support: All documented recent grants have been for general operating support rather than specific projects, suggesting the foundation invests in organizational sustainability rather than project-based funding.

Community Impact: The foundation appears to value organizations that enhance quality of life for underserved populations. The $100,000 grant to JWH Oregon Senior Citizens Center was praised for supporting "vital programs and services that enhance the well-being and engagement of local seniors."

Strategic Engagement: The foundation "actively engages with projects, not just providing financial support," suggesting they seek partnerships rather than transactional grantmaking relationships.

Challenge/Matching Grants: The Oregon Senior Center grant was structured as a challenge match, encouraging community investment alongside foundation support. This leveraging approach aligns with the founder's stated belief in inspiring broader community involvement.

Catholic and Educational Institutions: Documented support for St. Ursula Academy (including Faculty Hardship Fund and faculty compensation increases) suggests affinity for Catholic education.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation operates exclusively through trustee discretion and proactive grantmaking; unsolicited applications are not accepted
  • Geographic Concentration: Strong preference for Toledo, Ohio area nonprofits, particularly in Brooklyn and Oregon (OH) communities
  • Founder-Driven Philosophy: Patrick Trompeter's personal story (Irish orphanage to American business success) deeply influences funding priorities around empowerment and opportunity
  • General Operating Support: Recent documented grants focus on organizational sustainability rather than specific programs
  • Relationship-Based: Foundation actively engages with grantees and appears to identify opportunities through community connections and visibility
  • Leveraging Approach: Interest in challenge/matching grants that inspire broader community investment alongside foundation support
  • Relatively New: Established in 2023 but well-capitalized ($21.9M assets), with significant annual giving capacity ($1.46M distributed in 2024)

References

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