Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation
The Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation is a private foundation established in 1997 and based in Bridgeport, Connecticut. As a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates as a family foundation focused on philanthropic grantmaking.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.7M
+13.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.5M
+3.9% YoY
Grant Count
104
+7.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$24K
-3.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.5M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation primarily funds in furtherance of its stated objectives. Its primary funding interests include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
Grantmaking
The foundation made 92 grants in its most recent fiscal year. Typical grant awards range from $500 to $617,020.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Connecticut, New York, and California.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year Ending April 2025:
- Total Assets: $8,677,773
- Total Revenue: $3,358,261
- Total Expenses: $2,584,240
- Total Giving: $2,496,189
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,677,773 | $7,657,439 | $8,181,819 |
| Revenue | $3,358,261 | $1,854,147 | $1,181,994 |
| Expenses | $2,584,240 | $2,472,927 | $2,405,115 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,496,189 | $2,402,720 | $2,328,101 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,304,391 | $1,797,181 | $1,125,280 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,489,304 | $2,496,189 | $2,403,320 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Bridgeport Hospital Foundation ($100,000), Danbury Hospital Development Fund ($50,000), CT Beardsley Zoo ($40,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ahlbin Center for Rehabilitation Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $5,000 |
| Aliance for Community Empowerment (ABCD) Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $5,000 |
| Alpha Community Services Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $10,000 |
| American Cancer Society Wilton, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $25,000 |
| American Red Cross Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $25,000 |
| Americares Stamford, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $25,000 |
| Angels of Light Milbrook, NY | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $3,000 |
| Barnum Festival Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $15,000 |
| Barnum Museum Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $5,000 |
| Bikes for kids Centerbrook, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $2,789 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christian C Trefz | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Paul D Trefz | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Linda M Trefz | Trustee | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 10 Middle Street, Floor 17, Bridgeport, CT 06604-4257
Phone: 203-367-3621
EIN: 06-1485833
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation fund?
The foundation primarily funds in furtherance of its stated objectives. Its primary funding interests include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services
How do I apply for a grant from Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation?
The foundation made 92 grants in its most recent fiscal year. Typical grant awards range from $500 to $617,020. Recent notable grants include: • University of Bridgeport: $400,000 • Norwalk Hospital Foundation: $250,000 • St. Vincent Medical Center Foundation: $217,000
Where does Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Connecticut, New York, and California.
What size grants does Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation award?
In 2025, Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation awarded 104 grants totaling $2.5M — an average of about $24K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation's EIN?
Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 06-1485833. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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