Trellis Charitable Fund
Preselected recipients only
Trellis Charitable Fund is a private foundation in Washington, District of Columbia. In tax year 2024 it gave $4.9 million in 18 grants; the typical grant was $200,000 and the largest $1.0 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$4.9 million
- Number of grants18
- Typical grant$200,000
- Largest grant$1.0 million
- Assets$132 million
- New grantees28%
Giving in 2024 was up from $3.2 million the year before.
28% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.2 million | 14 | $99.9 million |
| 2024 | $4.9 million | 18 | $132 million |
How to apply
Trellis Charitable Fund says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Trellis Charitable Fund funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 6 states, the most to District of Columbia. It also paid $200,000 in 1 grant to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 6 | $2.3 million |
| New York | 7 | $1.7 million |
| Maryland | 1 | $400,000 |
| California | 1 | $200,000 |
| Texas | 1 | $75,000 |
| Florida | 1 | $15,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Civil Liberities Union | General support | $1.0 million |
| Children's Law Center | General support | $750,000 |
| Human Rights Watch | General support | $750,000 |
| National Gallery of Art | General support | $400,000 |
| Center for Reproductive Rights | General support | $350,000 |
| The Marshall Project | General support | $300,000 |
| Propublica | General support | $250,000 |
| Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting | General support and endowment fnd | $250,000 |
| Fund for Global Human Rights | General support | $200,000 |
| Global Witness Foundation | General support | $200,000 |
| Mann Deshi Foundation | General support | $200,000 |
| The 19th News | General support | $75,000 |
| Smithsonian American Art Muesum | General support | $50,000 |
| International Center of Photography | General support | $30,000 |
| Global Justice Center | General support | $25,000 |
| University of Florida Foundation | General support | $15,000 |
| Magnum Foundation | General support | $10,000 |
| Woodly House | General support | $3,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Betsy Karel
Questions people ask
Does Trellis Charitable Fund accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Trellis Charitable Fund give?
$4.9 million in tax year 2024, across 18 grants, with a typical grant of $200,000.
Who runs Trellis Charitable Fund?
Its 2024 filing lists Betsy Karel (Chair/Secret).
What does Trellis Charitable Fund fund?
Based on its grants, mainly international and arts and culture.