Grant Information
We believe every Texas student deserves the opportunity to earn a postsecondary credential or degree that helps them achieve the future they envision for themselves and their families. We invest in the programs, practices, and policies that remove barriers and accelerate the journey.
Our highly collaborative approach prioritizes catalytic investments focused on improving practices, policies, and systems.
Values
Transformative Power of Education
A postsecondary credential or degree is the most reliable method of increasing social and economic mobility. Postsecondary education serves both the private and public good.
Equity
All students deserve equal educational opportunities, meaning some may need additional benefits, supports, and/or resources.
Integrity
Trellis Foundation’s grantmaking processes, priorities, and policies are transparent and easily understood.
Data-Informed Decisions
Trellis Foundation relies on quantifiable information to every extent possible.
Collaboration
In addressing complex barriers to achieving equitable educational outcomes, progress cannot be made alone. It requires significant and ongoing collective action.
Strategy
Trellis Foundation believes every student deserves an equal opportunity to earn a credential or degree beyond high school.
We accomplish this by supporting the innovation and growth of ideas and strategies that increase students’ ability to attain, afford, and complete postsecondary education. Our work is grounded in the conviction that every student deserves the opportunity to achieve postsecondary success, especially those who face the greatest barriers to access and completion.
Focus Areas
Holistic Student Support
Enhancing the development, delivery, and integration of the broad set of support services that are critical to persistence and completion.
Streamlined Student Pathways
Broadening clear and easy-to-navigate paths for students into, through, and beyond postsecondary education.
Reconnection for Returning Learners
Creating opportunities and removing barriers for students with gaps in education to resume and advance in their careers successfully.
Approaches
Supporting Localized, Direct Impact
Scaling Proven & Promising Practices
Driving Structural & Policy Change
Convening & Catalyzing Collaboration
The Foundation aligns and coordinates its work using multiple approaches to realize change.
Supporting Localized, Direct Impact
We support efforts that directly serve students and are tailored to local contexts — funding programs, building capacity, and meeting organizations where they are.
Scaling Proven & Promising Practices
We drive the expansion of evidence-backed programs and practices so that more students can benefit from what works.
Driving Structural & Policy Change
We invest in the policies and practices that make postsecondary education more accessible, affordable, and effective for Texas students — and in the institutions, advocates, and coalitions working to make those changes happen.
Convening & Catalyzing Collaboration
By leading, funding, or participating in relevant convenings and collaborative efforts, unify cross-sector actors toward shared goals and actions that align with the Foundation’s priorities.
We connect institutions, nonprofits, and communities working toward shared goals by facilitating collaboration, shared learning, and alignment to improve results for students.