Trellis Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Round Rock, Texas, that operates as a philanthropic grantmaker focused on advancing higher education access and success. Founded in 2017, the organization employs 11 people and maintains a presence in both the United States and Canada. The Foundation builds upon a 40-year legacy of supporting students and families in Texas as they pursue educational and career goals.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$501.0M
+23.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$9.0M
+142.6% YoY
Grant Count
50
+22.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$180K
+98.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Trellis Foundation advances equitable educational opportunities in Texas by supporting postsecondary programs, practices, and systems that reduce disparities and lead to success for low-income students and students of color.
Core Values:
- Transformative Power of Education: A postsecondary credential or degree is the most reliable method of increasing social and economic mobility
- Equity: All students deserve equal educational opportunities, with recognition that some may need additional benefits, supports, and resources
- Integrity: Grantmaking processes, priorities, and policies are transparent and easily understood
- Data-Informed Decisions: The Foundation relies on quantifiable information to the greatest extent possible
- Collaboration: Progress on complex barriers requires significant and ongoing collective action
Primary Funding Focus Areas:
- Postsecondary attainment and affordability
- College access and success
- Student success and completion in postsecondary education
- System-level change and policy influence
- Student mental health and wellbeing
- Reducing barriers to educational success for low-income students and students of color
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $5,000 to $1,000,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation primarily funds in Texas, with additional grantmaking activity in the District of Columbia and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total Assets: $501,046,144
- Total Revenues: $78,347,142
- Total Expenses: $11,185,447
- Total Giving: $9,052,166
Historical Financial Data (2023):
- Revenue: $5.62M
- Expenses: $5.4M
- Total Assets: $406M
- Total Liabilities: $2.52M
Financial Health: The Foundation maintains a 96% rating from independent evaluators, earning a Four-Star designation, reflecting strong accountability and financial practices.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $501,046,144 | $405,709,664 | $364,914,250 |
| Revenue | $78,347,142 | $5,617,527 | $179,771,374 |
| Expenses | $11,185,447 | $5,395,130 | $4,875,856 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $68,347,142 | $5,617,527 | $12,330,279 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
154 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute ($1,000,000), New York University ($1,000,000), Communities Foundation of Texas Inc ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALLIANCE OF COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES HOUSTON, TX | STRATEGIC | $100,000 |
| AMARILLO COLLEGE FOUNDATION AMARILLO, TX | DIRECT | $6,250 |
| AMERICA SUCCEEDS DENVER, CO | CAPACITY | $50,000 |
| AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES WASHINGTON, DC | CAPACITY | $187,500 |
| ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRUSTEES WASHINGTON, DC | STRATEGIC | $250,000 |
| BLACK PROFESSIONALS ALLIANCE OF AUSTIN AUSTIN, TX | DIRECT | $50,000 |
| BLINN COLLEGE BRENHAM, TX | STRATEGIC | $250,000 |
| CAMERON COUNTY EDUCATION INITIATIVE INC BROWNSVILLE, TX | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $100,000 |
| CATALYST EDUCATION NEW ORLEANS, LA | STRATEGIC | $350,000 |
| CHILDREN AT RISK HOUSTON, TX | RESEARCH | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Anita Rossall: Director
- Mark David Milliron: Board Member
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DORA ANN VERDE | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| ALMA GARCIA | VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| JOSH HUNT | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| MARK MILLIRON PHD | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| RICHARD RHODES PHD | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| SUZANNE WALSH JD | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| WELCOME W WILSON JR | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| KRISTIN BOYER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $202,801 |
| ERICA EKWURZEL EFF 102423 | CHIEF OF STAFF, SECRETARY | 40 | $11,173 |
| GREGORY DICKSON | SECRETARY (THRU 10/2/23) | 2 | — |
| JENNY ACHILLES | SR. DIRECTOR | 40 | $145,901 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation announced a partnership with Austin Community College (ACC) for AI-integration in higher education
ACC announces partnership with Trellis Foundation for AI-integration in higherThe Foundation operates a Postsecondary Mental Health & Wellbeing Learning Community, providing support to ten Texas higher education institutions
ACC announces partnership with Trellis Foundation for AI-integration in higherThe Foundation has announced multiple rounds of grant awards to community organizations supporting postsecondary education
Fall 2024 Grant Awards - Trellis FoundationContact Information
Mailing Address: Trellis Foundation P.O. Box 5393 Round Rock, TX 78683-5393
Physical Address: Trellis Foundation 301 Sundance Pkwy. Round Rock, TX 78681
Phone: (877) 255-6656
Email: info@trellisfoundation.org
Website: www.trellisfoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Trellis Foundation fund?
**Mission:** Trellis Foundation advances equitable educational opportunities in Texas by supporting postsecondary programs, practices, and systems that reduce disparities and lead to success for low-income students and students of color. **Core Values:** • **Transformative Power of Education:** A postsecondary credential or degree is the most reliable method of increasing social and economic mobility • **Equity:** All students deserve equal educational opportunities, with recognition that some …
How do I apply for a grant from Trellis Foundation?
**Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $5,000 to $1,000,000. **Recent Grant Activity:** The Foundation made total grants of $9,052,166 in 2024. Recent notable grants include: • New York University (NYU): $1,000,000 (Strategic, 2024) • Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute for Texas: $1,000,000 (Strategic, 2024) • Players Philanthropy Fund: $500,000 (Strategic, 2024) **Grantmaking Approach:** The Foundation has evolved its grantmaking to include: • Targeted RFP (Request for Proposal) opport…
Where does Trellis Foundation make grants?
The Foundation primarily funds in Texas, with additional grantmaking activity in the District of Columbia and New York.
What size grants does Trellis Foundation award?
In 2024, Trellis Foundation awarded 50 grants totaling $9.0M — an average of about $180K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Trellis Foundation's EIN?
Trellis Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-4714749. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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