The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc
The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Tolland, Connecticut. It funds innovative projects in art, environment, and learning differences, with an overall emphasis on education principally in the United States.
Key facts about The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc
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.
- EIN
- 22-2533743
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,870,727
- Grants made (2024)
- 190
- Average grant
- $15,109
- Median grant
- $4,500
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (33 of 160, 2024)
- Total assets
- $78,764,935
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (29% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds for its general grantmaking: organizations generally must be approached by the foundation and given access to its online application. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The next Exhibition Award and Exhibition Research Grant deadline is listed as February 2028.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$78.8M
+14.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.9M
-3.6% YoY
Grant Count
190
-1.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$15K
-2.1% YoY
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.
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to “seek and fund innovative projects that advance solutions to basic and enduring problems.” It says its work reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of its family forebears and its founder’s foresight, imagination, and risk-taking.
Its 2024 grants included support for education and literacy, environmental work, and visual art. Among the grantees, The Learning Alliance described its mission as improving student literacy by equipping educators to teach children to read. GreenWave described its work as training and supporting regenerative ocean farmers, while Sustainable CT said it inspires, supports, and certifies sustainability actions by Connecticut towns and cities. The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation described its mission as advancing the Free Library’s work and stewarding and promoting its special collections.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 190 grants totaling $2,870,727. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $155,000, with a median of $4,500.
Review Cycle
The next Exhibition Award and Exhibition Research Grant deadline is listed as February 2028. The foundation’s guidelines give February 21, 2025 as the previous cycle’s deadline and say awards for that cycle would be announced in May 2025. No deadline is stated for Peer Network Grants.
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
Rolling / Open
Emily Hall Tremaine Exhibition Award Grant
The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc
Amount
US $50,000 - US $150,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Emily Hall Tremaine Exhibition Research Grant
The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc
Amount
US $10,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its overall emphasis as education principally in the United States. Its 2024 grant dollars were distributed across recipient states, led by 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
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.
Grant Insights
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%).
Giving History
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 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $78,764,935 | $14,487,620 | $4,868,955 | $2,870,727 |
| 2023 | $69,108,188 | $5,453,131 | $4,950,102 | $2,979,193 |
| 2022 | $68,605,159 | $1,140,814 | $5,418,589 | $3,428,397 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $78,764,935 | $69,108,188 | $68,605,159 |
| Revenue | $14,487,620 | $5,453,131 | $1,140,814 |
| Expenses | $4,868,955 | $4,950,102 | $5,418,589 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,515,431 | $5,332,142 | $4,837,623 |
| Net Investment Income | $9,751,485 | $4,146,304 | $1,349,388 |
| Distributable Amount | $4,502,303 | $4,259,855 | $4,493,167 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Palmer DeP for director and chairperson, Hunter Tremaine as director and chairperson elect, Whitney O’Brien as director and treasurer, and Marilyn DeP as director and secretary. It also lists Cate Bulger, Porter Collins, Cleighton DeP, Diana DeP, 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).
Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 803, Tolland, CT 06084-0803
Phone: (203) 639-5544
Website: https://tremainefoundation.org
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 mission is to “seek and fund innovative projects that advance solutions to basic and enduring problems.” It says its work reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of its family forebears and its founder’s foresight, imagination, and risk-taking. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc?
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds for its general grantmaking: organizations generally must be approached by the foundation and given access to its online application. 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 September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
IBM International Foundation
Armonk, NY
The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health-access initiatives for disproportionately affected populations, including cancer, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation, in the United States and internationally. In 2024, its median grant was $134,090, though awards varied widely; it says application materials are available upon request and advises organizations to contact it about the process, but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
The Rockefeller Foundation
New York, NY
The Rockefeller Foundation funds large-scale efforts to improve human well-being, including work in energy, food, health, finance, and economic opportunity, in the United States and internationally. Its 2024 grants ranged from $400 to $75 million, with a median of about $171,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$6.4B
Grants
381
Total Given
$233.2M
Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc
Norwalk, CT
Fairfield County’s Community Foundation funds equity-focused work including education and youth development, economic opportunity, women and girls’ health, housing, civic engagement, and nonprofit capacity, primarily benefiting Fairfield County residents. Its 2025 grants had a median of $24,080 and ranged from $5,194 to $2 million; it accepts applications for some programs, including rolling capacity-building and small-grant opportunities, while Strategic Partner Grants are invitation-only.
Assets
$291.4M
Grants
448
Total Given
$25.7M
Boston Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
The Boston Foundation funds equity-focused work in child well-being, economic opportunity, community wealth, and community leadership, primarily in Greater Boston. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, while specific programs offer awards from up to $15,000 to $50,000; it accepts applications through some competitive initiatives, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally is not stated.
Assets
$2.1B
Grants
2,375
Total Given
$228.4M
The New York Community Trust
New York, NY
The New York Community Trust funds projects in areas including arts, education, health, human services, community development, and the environment, primarily in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some opportunities elsewhere. Its 2024 median grant was $20,000, though awards varied widely. It accepts applications through its open competitive grants program and selected RFPs or letters of interest; donor-advised funds do not accept proposals.
Assets
$3.5B
Grants
2,748
Total Given
$193.8M
Americares Foundation Inc
Stamford, CT
Americares funds health care organizations and programs focused on disaster preparedness and recovery, access to medicines and medical supplies, and community health services. In 2025, its grants ranged from $5,073 to $3.86 million, with a median of about $58,700; it works in the United States and internationally, reaching an average of 80 countries each year. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$372.5M
Grants
635
Total Given
$113.3M
American Savings Foundation Inc
New Britain, CT
American Savings Foundation supports education, human services, and arts and culture, especially programs serving children, youth, and families in Connecticut, with a focus on New Britain and Waterbury. Its 2024 grants ranged from $234 to $150,000, with a median of $1,750; Community Grants are capped at $5,000. It provides application forms for Program and Community Grants, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$107.0M
Grants
613
Total Given
$3.4M
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
Hartford, CT
The Greater Hartford Gives Foundation funds nonprofits addressing community needs, with priorities including racial equity, economic and social mobility, wellbeing, neighborhoods, civic engagement, and arts and culture. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of about $21,600, and it primarily serves 29 Greater Hartford towns. It accepts applications through specific requests for proposals and grant cycles; eligibility varies by opportunity.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
613
Total Given
$52.0M
More Funders in Connecticut
The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?