The Trefethen Foundation
The Trefethen Foundation is a private foundation, based in Emeryville, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $55K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $4K.
The Trefethen Foundation at a glance
In short: The Trefethen Foundation gave $4K across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $2K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,000
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $2,000
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $54,698
- -26.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Trefethen Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation ($2K). Together the top 2 received $4K.
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 10 grants of 10 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Trefethen Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+0%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 193% of 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4K (2021) to $7K (2020). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $4K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation Napa, CA | To support vineyard workers through education and professional development | $2,000 |
| San Francisco-Marin Food Bank San Francisco, CA | To support feeding of indigent and food deprived persons | $2,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Trefethen Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $54,698 | $1,192 | $15,015 | $4,000 | 2 | $6,934 | — | $3,595 |
| 2023 | $74,271 | $-1,139 | $15,983 | $4,000 | 2 | $9,852 | — | $3,687 |
| 2022 | $85,643 | $6,515 | $12,346 | $4,500 | 2 | $8,248 | $2,417 | $4,303 |
| 2021 | $91,550 | $10,366 | $8,957 | $4,000 | 2 | $4,000 | $5,589 | $5,177 |
| 2020 | $90,065 | $-11,016 | $11,107 | $6,500 | 2 | — | — | $4,845 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Trefethen Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Trefethen Foundation is led by John V. Trefethen, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
John V. Trefethen
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Colin Saunders
President
Vice President → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carla T. Saunders
Vice President
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John J. Crncich
CFO & Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Loren E. Trefethen
Vice President
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Trefethen Foundation
How much does The Trefethen Foundation give each year?
The Trefethen Foundation gave $4K across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4K across 2 grants.
How large is The Trefethen Foundation?
The Trefethen Foundation reported $55K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $7K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
Where does The Trefethen Foundation operate?
The Trefethen Foundation has awarded grants in California.
What is The Trefethen Foundation's EIN?
The Trefethen Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-2739938. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Other open foundation grants in California
California Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Trefethen Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common
The Invictus Fund NV
St Helena, CA
Assets
$12K
Grants
1
Total Given
$750K
Abuelitos Foundation
Napa, CA
Assets
$209K
Grants
2
Total Given
$8K
Travis Credit Union's Community Financial Wellness Fund
Vacaville, CA
Travis Credit Union's Community Financial Wellness Fund is committed to building financially empowered communities. Their vision is to create philanthropic solutions for building sustainable financial wellness in communities for generations to come. The foundation raises funds for financial education initiatives and resources, scholarships for youth and adults and disaster relief.
Assets
$555K
Grants
3
Total Given
$45K
Save Napa Valley Foundation
Angwin, CA
We advocate for napa valleys long-term viability as a robust agriculturally based community by boldly confrontng the climate crisis and its impact on our shared natural resources - water, woodlands and wildlife.
Assets
$32K
Grants
4
Total Given
$12K
Napa Valley Vintners
St Helena, CA
Ensure the economic viability and sustainability of the Napa Valley appellation through marketing, promotional, educational and training programs, work on critical industry issues, and enhance the well-being of the Napa County Community.
Assets
$13.5M
Grants
5
Total Given
$162K
The Pulido Walker Foundation
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Assets
$2.4M
Grants
8
Total Given
$225K
More similar funders
More Funders in California
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Trefethen Foundation'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.
The Trefethen Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?