Robert J Trulaske Jr Family Foundation
The Robert J Trulaske Jr Family Foundation is a private family foundation based in St. Louis, Missouri, established in 2006. The Foundation is dedicated to protecting the natural environment through conservation and the preservation of open spaces, while also supporting the preservation of historic buildings and structures of cultural significance.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$36.2M
+1.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.9M
+39.4% YoY
Grant Count
24
-38.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$81K
+126.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert J Trulaske Jr Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's mission centers on preserving and enhancing natural resources while promoting equity through environmental justice initiatives.
Primary Program Areas:
Natural Resource Conservation
- Protection, improvement, and expansion of biodiversity, species habitat, and natural ecosystems
- Remnant prairies and grassland habitat in Missouri
- Watersheds of the Mississippi, Missouri, and Meramec Rivers within the St. Louis Metropolitan Region
- Conservation, restoration, protection and management of important ecosystems and flyways
Historic Buildings & Structures
- Preservation, rehabilitation, and restoration of historic structures and buildings in St. Louis City
- Specifically interested in buildings housing nonprofit organizations
- Conservation of endangered buildings of historical, cultural, and aesthetic significance
Environmental Justice & Equity
- Efforts designed to benefit disadvantaged communities in the St. Louis Region, particularly low-income communities and people of color
- Improvement of community green spaces in St. Louis City and North County
- Projects targeting areas disproportionately burdened by environmental conditions and health issues related to poor air quality, compromised water quality, extreme heat, and lead exposure
- Support for natural climate solutions, such as tree planting and native plantings
Grantmaking
The Foundation maintains guidelines and preferences for applicants. Interested organizations should review the Foundation's website for current application information and deadlines.
Grant Range
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Review Cycle
.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation's primary funding area is Missouri, with particular emphasis on the St. Louis Metropolitan Region and projects addressing environmental conservation and historic preservation in St. Louis City.
Limited funding is also available in:
- Portland, Maine
- Northern Michigan (Leelanau County)
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $35.8 million
- Total Revenue: $1.24 million
- Total Expenses: $1.66 million
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $36.2 million
- Total Giving: $1.95 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $36,212,245 | $35,766,132 | $34,563,578 |
| Revenue | $4,214,655 | $1,236,772 | $1,610,772 |
| Expenses | $2,261,198 | $1,663,310 | $1,606,993 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,065,879 | $1,482,807 | $1,315,281 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,404,378 | $403,788 | $937,573 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,867,470 | $1,682,705 | $1,665,015 |
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
66 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include COCA - Center of Creative Arts ($450,000), Great River Habitat Alliance ($250,000), Leelanau Conservancy ($200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICORPS ST LOUIS, MO | COLLECTIVE ANNUAL GRANT | $30,000 |
| BEYOND HOUSING ST LOUIS, MO | DISCRETIONARY GRANT | $105,100 |
| BUILD MISSOURI HEALTH (FOR PEACE PARK) ST LOUIS, MO | COLLECTIVE ANNUAL GRANT | $70,000 |
| DOWNS SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF GREATER ST LOUIS ST LOUIS, MO | DISCRETIONARY GRANT | $5,925 |
| LEELANAU CONSERVANCY LELAND, MI | COLLECTIVE ANNUAL GRANT | $200,000 |
| MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN (SHAW NATURE RESERVE) ST LOUIS, MO | COLLECTIVE ANNUAL GRANT | $10,000 |
| MISSOURI PRAIRIE FOUNDATION MEXICO, MO | COLLECTIVE ANNUAL GRANT | $25,000 |
| OPEN SPACE COUNCIL ST LOUIS, MO | COLLECTIVE ANNUAL GRANT | $25,000 |
| ST LOUIS COUNTY PARKS ST LOUIS, MO | COLLECTIVE ANNUAL GRANT | $50,000 |
| ST LOUIS LIFE SCIENCES PROJECT ST LOUIS, MO | ST. LOUIS LIFE GRANT | $165,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board Members:
- Jeanne Dalba – President (appointed 2007)
- Meghan Trulaske Miers – Voting board member (deceased)
- John Bechtold – Voting board member
- Sarah Trulaske – Voting board member
Advisors:
- Michael Newmark
- Jay Sarver
- Jerome Thomasson
Founder: Robert J Trulaske Jr established the Foundation's mission statement, vision, and priorities, which the board closely follows. The board completed strategic planning in 2014 and 2021 to strengthen decision-making and clarify specific priorities.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEANNE TRULASKE DALBA | PRESIDENT | 1 | $90,231 |
| JOHN BECHTOLD | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| SARAH TRULASKE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| STEPHEN KINCAID | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JAY SARVER | TRUSTEE (NON-VOTING) | 1 | — |
| JEROME THOMASSON | TRUSTEE (NON-VOTING) | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL NEWMARK | SECRETARY (NON-VOTING) | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation has supported notable conservation and preservation projects, including:
A $100,000 grant to Ozark Land Trust for streambank restoration along Huzzah Creek, a major tributary of the Meramec River, to stabilize and restore nearly a mile of creek and implement conservation practices
Trusler Foundation Awards Nearly $195,000 in Grants to Area NonprofitsSupport for The Muny theater's historic preservation and facility improvements
Funding for the Campbell House Museum's historic preservation efforts
Support for community garden and urban greening initiatives in St. Louis
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Robert J Trulaske Jr Family Foundation fund?
The Foundation's mission centers on preserving and enhancing natural resources while promoting equity through environmental justice initiatives. **Primary Program Areas:** **Natural Resource Conservation** • Protection, improvement, and expansion of biodiversity, species habitat, and natural ecosystems • Remnant prairies and grassland habitat in Missouri • Watersheds of the Mississippi, Missouri, and Meramec Rivers within the St. Louis Metropolitan Region • Conservation, restoration, protection…
How do I apply for a grant from Robert J Trulaske Jr Family Foundation?
**Grant Sizes:** • Minimum collective grant amount: $15,000 • Maximum collective grant amount: $500,000 • Typical awards range from $2,000 to $450,000 • The Foundation will consider two-year grants **Geographic Eligibility:** • Primary focus: Missouri • Additional eligible locations: • Portland, Maine • Northern Michigan (Leelanau County) • Grants outside Missouri may total $20,000 to $40,000 over two years at each location **Application Process:** The Foundation maintains guidelines and prefer…
Where does Robert J Trulaske Jr Family Foundation make grants?
The Foundation's primary funding area is Missouri, with particular emphasis on the St. Louis Metropolitan Region and projects addressing environmental conservation and historic preservation in St. Louis City. Limited funding is also available in: • Portland, Maine • Northern Michigan (Leelanau County)
What size grants does Robert J Trulaske Jr Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Robert J Trulaske Jr Family Foundation awarded 24 grants totaling $1.9M — an average of about $81K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Robert J Trulaske Jr Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Robert J Trulaske Jr Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.9M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Robert J Trulaske Jr Family Foundation's EIN?
Robert J Trulaske Jr Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3825944. 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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