Trace Foundation
Trace Foundation is a private foundation, based in Annapolis, MD. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $3.0M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 3 grants totaling $277K. Net investment income was $225K.
Trace Foundation at a glance
In short: Trace Foundation gave $277K across 3 grants in 2025 (avg $92K), top state Mississippi. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $276,625
- +176.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 3
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $92,208
- +176.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $103,625
- Total assets
- $2,976,572
- +3.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Mississippi (44% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Trace Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Deep South Today ($123K). Together the top 3 received $277K.
Grant Size Distribution
19 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 13 grants of 19 (68%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
Cities
How Trace Foundation gives
- Giving grew 97% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 255% 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $15K (2023) to $277K (2025). In 2025 it made 3 grants totaling $277K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Deep South Today Ridgeland, MS | General Operating Grant | $123,000 |
| Salt Spring Institute for Sustainability Education and Action | Trace foundation contribution to the joint national observer's corruption and climate reporting project | $103,625 |
| Journalism Development Network Washington, DC | Trace Foundation Grant for Occrp Work in 2025 | $50,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,976,572 | $436,017 | $348,265 | $276,625 | 3 | $337,689 | $225,441 | $132,391 |
| 2024 | $2,889,995 | $298,508 | $168,839 | $100,000 | 3 | $168,839 | $102,405 | $135,534 |
| 2023 | $2,675,520 | $388,940 | $195,927 | $15,000 | 1 | $195,927 | $91,426 | $121,981 |
| 2022 | $2,340,072 | $505,263 | $897,401 | $140,254 | 6 | $897,401 | $58,266 | $128,586 |
| 2021 | $2,922,219 | $775,032 | $778,656 | $190,000 | 6 | $778,656 | $105,032 | $142,499 |
| 2020 | $2,925,842 | $322,266 | $246,133 | $78,500 | 6 | — | $122,266 | $140,499 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Trace Foundation reported a distributable amount of $132K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Trace Foundation is led by Alexandra Addison, President on the 2025 filing; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Alexandra Addison
President
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Pia Mikkola-Vining
Director
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Jessie Reynolds O'Neil
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Alexandra Wrage (2020–2024) — President
- Former: Jonathan Drimmer (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Josh Wallenstein (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Amy Sommers (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Stephen Wrage (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Gaye Montgomery (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Trace Foundation
How much does Trace Foundation give each year?
Trace Foundation gave $277K across 3 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $100K across 3 grants.
What is Trace Foundation's typical grant size?
Trace Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $103,625, and its average grant was $92,208, across 3 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Trace Foundation give grants?
Trace Foundation's top state is Mississippi, with 44% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest state was District of Columbia (18%).
Does Trace Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 33% of Trace Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 3) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is Trace Foundation?
Trace Foundation reported $3.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $338K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $132K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Trace Foundation's EIN?
Trace Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-5363033. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 29, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 17, 2026)
Live grants for the work Trace Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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