Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging Inc, operating as **Trellis**, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 1994, the organization serves as the designated area agency on aging for the Twin Cities metro area under the federal Older Americans Act. Trellis has expanded its mission beyond the original metro area focus to provide services, information, and innovations across Minnesota and in ten other states.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.3M
-5.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$13.1M
+1.5% YoY
Grant Count
41
-16.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$319K
+21.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To assist individuals to age well and develop the capacity of communities to care for an aging population. Trellis provides services, connections, and innovations to help people thrive as they age. Through partnerships with community organizations and healthcare organizations, the organization works to bridge social care and medical care to produce more positive outcomes for individuals and communities. The organization is committed to reducing disparities in access and ensuring equity and inclusivity.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Senior centers and services (NTEE code P81)
- Education, philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking
- Human services
Grantmaking
Trellis manages and awards federal Older Americans Act funding and other federal and state funding to community-based organizations that support older adults and caregivers.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Trellis serves as the area agency on aging for the Twin Cities metro area and provides services across Minnesota and in ten other states.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Summary:
- Total assets: $7,340,538
- Total revenues: $24,583,001
- Total expenses: $23,747,084
- Total giving: $13,087,271
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) organization; tax-exempt since June 1994; IRS ruling year 1994
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,340,538 | $7,745,784 | $8,208,699 |
| Revenue | $24,583,001 | $23,701,692 | $23,864,185 |
| Expenses | $23,747,084 | $24,024,671 | $24,552,887 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $49,298 | $13,350 | $4,621 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
230 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging Inc
Older Americans Act Title III-B (Supportive Services)
Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging Inc
Amount
$2,530,494
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Older Americans Act Title III-C (Nutrition Services)
Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging Inc
Amount
$7,900,071
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Older Americans Act Title III-D (Health Promotion and Disease Prevention)
Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging Inc
Amount
$238,531
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Open Arms of Minnesota ($2,876,000), Presbyterian Homes & Services ($2,626,004), Metro Meals on Wheels ($2,004,169).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Health Partners Institute Minneapolis, MN | Juniper | $61,805 |
| Friends & Co St Paul, MN | Dementia Friendly Initiatives | $7,000 |
| First Universalist Church of Minneapolis Minneapolis, MN | Dementia Friendly Initiatives | $7,000 |
| AMHERST WILDER FOUNDATION St Paul, MN | Health Promotion and Caregiver Services (Titles IIID & IIIE OAA) | $52,575 |
| Anoka County Community Action Program Blaine, MN | Supportive Services (Title IIIB - OAA) | $99,558 |
| ANOKA CO SR CAREGIVER NETWORK Anoka, MN | Caregiver Services (Title IIIE OAA) | $91,456 |
| Affinity Residential Care LLC Bloomington, MN | Supportive Services (Title IIIB - OAA) | $21,640 |
| CAPI USA Brooklyn Center, MN | Supportive & Caregiver Services (Titles IIIB & IIIE OAA) | $56,778 |
| CENTRO INC Minneapolis, MN | Supportive & Caregiver Services (Titles IIIB & IIIE OAA) | $159,717 |
| COMMONBOND COMMUNITIES St Paul, MN | Health Promotion Services (Title IIID OAA) | $26,824 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Dawn Simonson – President and CEO
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dawn Simonson | President and CEO | 40 | $161,300 |
| Mark Cullen | VP of Strategy and Develop | 40 | $107,502 |
| Andrew Brown | VP of Communications and Engagement | 40 | $118,233 |
| Vanne Owens Hayes | Chair | 7 | — |
| Mike Rothman | Vice Chair | 3 | — |
| David Van Sant | Treasurer | 4.5 | — |
| Barb Blumer | Secretary | 4 | — |
| Kris Orluck | Immediate Past Chair | 3 | — |
| Becky Stibbe | Board Member | 2 | — |
| Jeff Bangsberg | Board Member | 2 | — |
| Josh Berg | Board Member | 2 | — |
| Lisbeth Cachima | Board Member | 2 | — |
| Barbara Champlin | Board Member | 2 | — |
| Alison Colton | Board Member | 2 | — |
| Kathleen Dempsey | Board Member | 2 | — |
| Matthew Koncar | Board Member | 2 | — |
| Adeel Lari | Board Member | 2 | — |
| Ram Rajagopalan | Board Member | 2 | — |
| Sarah Urtel | Board Member | 2 | — |
| Carla Zbacnik | Board Member | 2 | — |
| Ellie Zuehlke | Board Member | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In March 2021, Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging changed its name to Trellis, signaling an expanded mission beyond the original area agency on aging role for the metro area. The name change reflects the organization's growth to provide services, information, and innovations connecting and improving lives of people across Minnesota and in ten other states.
Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging announces funding for area programsThe organization maintains a Four-Star rating based on a 96% overall score, reflecting strong performance in accountability and finance.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging Inc fund?
**Mission:** To assist individuals to age well and develop the capacity of communities to care for an aging population. Trellis provides services, connections, and innovations to help people thrive as they age. Through partnerships with community organizations and healthcare organizations, the organization works to bridge social care and medical care to produce more positive outcomes for individuals and communities. The organization is committed to reducing disparities in access and ensuring eq…
How do I apply for a grant from Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging Inc?
Trellis manages and awards federal Older Americans Act funding and other federal and state funding to community-based organizations that support older adults and caregivers. **Grant Activity (2024):** • Total giving: $13,087,271 • Typical award range: $5,387–$3,149,923 **Services Funded to Community Partners:** Community-based organizations receiving Trellis funding provide: • Home-delivered and congregate dining meals • Caregiver support and respite care services • Assisted transportation • He…
Where does Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging Inc make grants?
Trellis serves as the area agency on aging for the Twin Cities metro area and provides services across Minnesota and in ten other states.
What size grants does Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging Inc award?
In 2024, Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging Inc awarded 41 grants totaling $13.1M — an average of about $319K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging Inc's EIN?
Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1774247. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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