The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc
The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Tolland, Connecticut. It funds innovative projects addressing enduring problems, with an overall emphasis on education in the United States and grantmaking in art, environment, and learning differences.
The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc gave $2.9M across 190 grants in 2024 (avg $15K), top state Connecticut. 21% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,870,727
- -3.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 190
- -1.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $15,109
- -2.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $4,500
- Total assets
- $78,764,935
- +14.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (33 of 160, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (29% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
General grants are limited to preselected organizations; unsolicited requests are not accepted. The website identifies the Exhibition Award and Research Grant as exceptions to the general grant guidelines and provides program-specific application information.
- Review Cycle
- The next application deadline listed for the Exhibition Research Grant is February 2028.
- Deadline
- The next application deadline listed for the Exhibition Research Grant is February 2028.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 803, Tolland, CT 06084-0803
Phone: (203) 639-5544
Website: https://tremainefoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc
Curatorial Advancement- Innovation Grants
The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc
Amount
US $500 - US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Emily Hall Tremaine Exhibition Award Grant
The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc
Amount
US $50,000 - US $150,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Emily Hall Tremaine Exhibition Research Grant
The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc
Amount
US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Sustainable CT Inc ($419K across 5 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,001 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 913 grants of 1,001 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that its emphasis is principally on the United States. In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in Connecticut (29%), Pennsylvania (14%), Massachusetts (10%), Florida (7%), and New York (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 190 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 33 of 160 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $21K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 76% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−7%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 100% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.9M (2024) to $3.4M (2022). In 2024 it made 190 grants totaling $2.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Learning Alliance Vero Beach, FL | Education - Project/Program | $155,000 |
| Earlybird Education Needham, MA | Education - Project/Program | $150,000 |
| Greenwave Organization Corp New Haven, CT | Environment - Project/Program | $150,000 |
| The Art Institute of Chicago Chicago, IL | Visual Art - Project/Program | $150,000 |
| Sustainable CT Inc Storrs, CT | Environment - General Operating | $131,014 |
| Aim Academy Conshohocken, PA | Education - Project/Program | $125,000 |
| Great Plains Institute Minneapolis, MN | Environment - Project/Program | $110,000 |
| Sustainable CT Inc Storrs, CT | Environment - Project/Program | $100,000 |
| Sustainable CT Inc Storrs, CT | Environment - Project/Program | $100,000 |
| Pa Branch International Dyslexia Association Phoenixville, PA | Education - Project/Program | $90,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2024 filing reported 190 grants; the 2023 filing reported 193, and the 2022 filing reported 194.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $78,764,935 | $14,487,620 | $4,868,955 | $2,870,727 | 190 | $4,515,431 | $9,751,485 | $4,502,303 |
| 2023 | $69,108,188 | $5,453,131 | $4,950,102 | $2,979,193 | 193 | $5,332,142 | $4,146,304 | $4,259,855 |
| 2022 | $68,605,159 | $1,140,814 | $5,418,589 | $3,428,397 | 194 | $4,837,623 | $1,349,388 | $4,493,167 |
| 2021 | $72,941,724 | $6,852,120 | $5,028,723 | $3,094,076 | 213 | $4,235,455 | $14,490,466 | $4,828,867 |
| 2020 | $71,060,647 | $2,954,885 | $4,613,598 | $2,920,500 | 211 | — | $7,244,862 | $4,150,806 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $4.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to seek and fund innovative projects that advance solutions to basic and enduring problems. It says its work has an overall emphasis on education, principally in the United States, across three areas: art, environment, and learning differences.
Its 2024 grants included support for a range of organizations. The Learning Alliance described its mission as improving student literacy by equipping educators to teach children to read. GreenWave said it trains and supports regenerative ocean farmers and works to develop the industry. Sustainable CT described its work as inspiring, supporting, and certifying sustainability actions by Connecticut towns and cities. The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation said it provides resources and advocacy for the Free Library of Philadelphia and stewards its special collections.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 190 grants totaling $2,870,727. Grants ranged from $100 to $155,000, with a median grant of $4,500.
Among its largest reported 2024 grants were $155,000 to The Learning Alliance for an education project; $150,000 each to EarlyBird Education for an education project, GreenWave Organization Corp for an environmental project, and the Art Institute of Chicago for a visual-art project; and $131,014 to Sustainable CT for general operating support. Other notable grants included $125,000 to AIM Academy for an education project, $110,000 to Great Plains Institute for an environmental project, and $90,000 to the Pennsylvania Branch of the International Dyslexia Association for an education project.
The foundation’s website describes its general grant process as proactive: it consults experts to identify organizations whose approaches fit its strategies, then works with those organizations to develop programs. The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Organizations pursuing its objectives may mail an informative two-page letter describing their mission, goals, strategies, history, and programmatic and geographic scope; the foundation says it does not normally respond beyond acknowledging receipt.
The website also describes separate curator-focused opportunities. The Emily Hall Tremaine Exhibition Award accepts applications on a triennial basis from curators or curatorial teams working with an established nonprofit exhibition space. Proposals should be for thematic exhibitions of contemporary art and/or architecture that explore new or unconventional frameworks. The website excludes, among other things, single-artist exhibitions, retrospectives, re-installations, permanent exhibitions, exhibitions without contemporary art, and exhibition spaces outside the United States. The Emily Hall Tremaine Exhibition Research Grant provides $10,000 for research completed within two years; proposals must be made by a curator or team in partnership with an established 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and grants cannot be issued directly to individual curators. Research into a single artist, a retrospective, an already-scheduled exhibition, or an exhibition likely to take place outside the United States is ineligible. The website lists February 2028 as the next application deadline for the Research Grant and allows applicants to request consideration for both programs through the Exhibition Award proposal.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Palmer DePetro as director and chairperson; Hunter Tremaine as director and chairperson elect; Whitney O’Brien as director and treasurer; and Marilyn DePetro as director and secretary. It also lists Cate Bulger, Porter Collins, Cleighton DePetro, Diana DePetro, William O’Brien, and Alexandra Tremaine as directors.
The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc is led by Michelle Knapik, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 24 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michelle Knapik
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$216K (2020) → $227K (2024)
Palmer Depetro
Director & Chairperson
Director & Secretary → Director & Chairperson, 2022
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cleighton Depetro
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Emily Wick
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hunter C. Tremaine
Director & Chairperson Elect
Director & Treasurer → Director & Chairperson Elect, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marilyn S. Depetro
Director & Secretary
Director → Director & Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Page Tremaine
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Porter Collins
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah C. Tremaine
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Whitney T. O'Brien
Director & Treasurer
Director → Director & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William O'Brien
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alexandra Tremaine
Director
Associate Director → Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Diana Depetro
Director
Associate Director → Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tyler Tremaine
Director
Associate Director → Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cate Bulger
Director
Associate Director → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chappie Wick
Director
Associate Director → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gean Tremaine
Director
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Atwood Collins III
Director Emeritus
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Burton G. Tremaine III
Director Emeritus
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janet T. Stanley
Director Emeritus
Director → Director Emeritus, 2022
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John M. Tremaine
Director Emeritus
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Philip Stanley
Director Emeritus
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sage Tremaine
Associate Director
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Grady Wick
Associate Director
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Lauren Collins (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: John M. Tremaine Jr. (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Mackenzie Stanley (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Peter Stanley (2020–2021) — Director Emeritus
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $227K, to Michelle Knapik (President).
Frequently asked questions about The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc
How much does The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc give each year?
The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc gave $2.9M across 190 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.0M across 193 grants.
What is The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $4,500, and its average grant was $15,109, across 190 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc that year got $8K on average.
Where does The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc give grants?
The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc's top state is Connecticut, with 29% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (14%) and Massachusetts (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Fishers Island, NY (15 grants), New York, NY (7 grants), Boston, MA (6 grants) and Storrs, CT (5 grants).
Does The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 76% of The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (145 of 190) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Visual Art - Project/Program" (27 grants), "Education - Project/Program" (11 grants) and "Environment - Project/Program" (7 grants).
Who are The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Sustainable CT Inc ($419,460 across 5 grants), The Learning Alliance ($195,000 across 2 grants) and Aim Academy ($171,400 across 3 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc?
The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc reported $78.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to seek and fund innovative projects that advance solutions to basic and enduring problems. It says its work has an overall emphasis on education, principally in the United States, across three areas: art, environment, and learning differences. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc?
General grants are limited to preselected organizations; unsolicited requests are not accepted. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-2533743. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-emily-hall-tremaine-foundation-inc-morg_487842842d84460b9d8a8da12e528483
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_222533743_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-emily-hall-tremaine-foundation-inc-morg_487842842d84460b9d8a8da12e528483},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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