Frequently Asked Questions for Trellis Foundation

Responses to common questions posted to the Foundation are listed below.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at info@trellisfoundation.org for questions not addressed below.

The Foundation does not review unsolicited grant proposals. Our team usually builds relationships with those working in the Texas postsecondary space and invites proposals based on those relationships. We make both project and general operating grants depending on the supported work and anticipated deliverables.

We also learn from those in the field to identify investment opportunities, which may result in open Requests for Proposals (RFPs) in targeted areas. When the Foundation opens RFPs, we share details on our website and through our email list.

Trellis Foundation makes grants to entities whose work directly impacts postsecondary students or potential postsecondary students in Texas. We also support organizations working to improve or change postsecondary systems and policies in Texas. This funding for education initiatives in Texas helps our state thrive.

While we may support projects that are national in scope, they must include a substantive and documented Texas focus. We do not fund work that is entirely outside the state of Texas, including international projects.

No. The Foundation does not fund work outside of Texas, including international projects. However, we may support projects with a national scope if there is a clear and documented Texas-specific component.

Trellis Foundation awards grants to a wide variety of organizations as long as the funds are used for documented charitable purposes, as described by the IRS.

In general, we award grants to:

  • Tax-exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) and classified as public charities under section 509(a)
  • Public organizations under section 170(c), including public institutions of higher education
  • Organizations operating under a fiscal sponsor relationship with a tax-exempt 501(c)(3)

We do not make grants to individuals.

Yes. The Foundation can make grants to 501(c)(4) organizations.

Yes. The Foundation can make grants to for-profit entities.

No. The Foundation does not make grants to individuals or provide scholarships.

Trellis Foundation awards the following types of grants:

  • Project Grants – For time-bound work with specific deliverables
  • General Operating Support – Operating support for aligned organizations

We do not make project grants for:

  • Organizations whose sole purpose is to award scholarships
  • Annual fundraising events or general sustaining drives
  • Capital campaigns or physical infrastructure
  • Motor vehicles
  • Debt retirement

Yes. We do provide general operating support.

Yes. We do provide multi-year grants.

Generally, we fund work that aligns with our strategic focus areas. This includes:

  • Direct services for postsecondary students or potential postsecondary students
  • Systems, policy, and advocacy work related to postsecondary success in Texas
  • Research that informs or supports postsecondary success
  • Convenings and collaborations that promote alignment and learning in the sector
  • Capacity building and technical assistance for eligible organizations

The average grant size is $200,000 (excluding sponsorships and memberships). Please refer to our Strategy Focus Areas and Approaches.

Grants of $50,000 or less may be approved through an expedited process on a rolling basis.

Grants up to $200,000 require a full proposal developed with a program officer and may also be approved on a rolling basis.

Grants over $200,000 are reviewed and approved at one of four quarterly Foundation board meetings. Invited applicants will collaborate with staff for 2–3 months prior to the board review.