The Trammell Foundation
The Trammell Foundation is a private foundation based in Houston, Texas. It only makes grants, and it terminated in 2023.
The Trammell Foundation at a glance
In short: The Trammell Foundation gave $3.4M across 5 grants in 2023 (avg $683K), mostly in Rhode Island. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $3,415,930
- +2239.7% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 5
- -61.5% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $683,186
- +5983.2% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $605,304
- Primary geography
- Rhode Island (100% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated September 2026.
How to apply to The Trammell Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 3262 Westheimer Rd 604, Houston, TX 77098
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Trammell Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Vanguard Charitable Fund ($3.4M across 5 grants).
Grant Size Distribution
57 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 53 grants of 57 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All reported grant dollars in 2023 went to recipients in Rhode Island.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Trammell Foundation gives
- Giving grew 2488% from 2020 to 2023. Method
- In 2023 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $130K (2021) to $3.4M (2023). In 2023 it made 5 grants totaling $3.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Charitable Fund Warwick, RI | General Support | $1,205,977 |
| Vanguard Charitable Fund Warwick, RI | General Support | $1,052,235 |
| Vanguard Charitable Fund Warwick, RI | General Support | $605,304 |
| Vanguard Charitable Fund Warwick, RI | General Support | $534,408 |
| Vanguard Charitable Fund Warwick, RI | General Support | $18,006 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
— = not reported in the supplied filing data.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | $625 | $3,420,430 | $3,415,930 | 5 | $3,418,180 | — | $14,372 |
| 2022 | $1,268,781 | $69,466 | $150,443 | $146,000 | 13 | $146,770 | $80,698 | $158,625 |
| 2021 | $1,349,758 | $129,598 | $136,238 | $130,000 | 14 | $131,162 | $126,277 | $155,835 |
| 2020 | $1,356,398 | $108,529 | $137,382 | $132,000 | 14 | — | $105,770 | $122,126 |
| 2019 | $1,385,251 | $115,223 | $140,550 | $135,000 | 11 | — | $111,964 | $134,687 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Trammell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $14K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation reported five grants totaling $3,415,930, made to one nonprofit organization. Each grant was listed as general support for Vanguard Charitable Fund, in amounts ranging from $18,006 to $1,205,977; the median grant was $605,304.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists Harper Bryan Trammell as Secretary/Treasurer; William F Whitfield Jr, W Trammell Whitfield, Laura Trammell Baird, and Ann Gordon Trammell as trustees; Celia Whitfield Crank as Vice-Chairman; and Carrie Sturges Scarborough as Chairman.
The Trammell Foundation is led by Carrie Sturges Scarborough, Chairman since 2023 (on filings since 2022); none of the 7 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Carrie Sturges Scarborough
Chairman
Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Ann Gordon Trammell
Trustee
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Laura Trammell Baird
Trustee
Secretary → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
W. Trammell Whitfield
Trustee
Trustee → Chairman, 2020
Chairman → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
William F. Whitfield Jr.
Trustee
Trustee → Chairman, 2021
Chairman → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Celia Whitfield Crank
Vice Chairman
Trustee → Vice Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Harper Bryan Trammell
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Carrie Trammell Sturges (2019–2021) — Vice Chairman
- Former: Amelia Crank (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Ann Kotal (2019–2020) — Assistant Secretary
- Former: Sue Trammell Whitfield (2019–2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Trammell Foundation
How much does The Trammell Foundation give each year?
The Trammell Foundation gave $3.4M across 5 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $146K across 13 grants.
What is The Trammell Foundation's typical grant size?
The Trammell Foundation's median grant in 2023 was $605,304, and its average grant was $683,186, across 5 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Trammell Foundation give grants?
The Trammell Foundation gives mostly in Rhode Island: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Warwick, RI (5 grants).
Does The Trammell Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Trammell Foundation's 2023 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
How do I apply for a grant from The Trammell Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is The Trammell Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, The Trammell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $14K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Trammell Foundation's EIN?
The Trammell Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-6057690. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2023.
Does The Trammell Foundation 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.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 9, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
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