The Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation focuses its giving locally in southwestern Connecticut, making a small number of large, repeat grants to major regional institutions. Its support is concentrated on the University of Bridgeport and the Norwalk Hospital Foundation, typically as flexible or general-purpose funding (“in furtherance of stated objectives”). The pattern suggests a preference for established community anchors — higher education and healthcare — rather than many small or program-specific awards.
Highly concentrated and local: few (6) grants totaling $2.37M, dominated by two repeat, large awards to the same institutions; grants appear to be general-purpose/core support rather than narrowly restricted project grants.
The Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation’s most distinctive pattern is its repeated support for the University of Bridgeport, including grants of $617,020 in 2024, $606,864 in 2023, and $400,000 in 2025. That long-running relationship points to a funder that works through a small set of major local institutions rather than broad, scattered grantmaking. The foundation also backs healthcare anchors in the same region, with recurring support for Norwalk Hospital Foundation and Bridgeport-based medical organizations. Across the recent grants list, the same recipients appear in multiple years, often with awards described as being made “in furtherance of stated objectives of the foundation,” which suggests flexible institutional support tied to the foundation’s own priorities. The portfolio includes higher education, hospitals, and community-serving organizations, but the center of gravity remains southwestern Connecticut. Grants to Wakemans Boys & Girls Club, Bridgeport Hospital Foundation, and St Vincent’s Medical Center Foundation show a consistent preference for established nonprofits with regional reach. The result is a concentrated giving profile built around a few repeat beneficiaries and substantial awards.
Higher education is a clear area of support. The foundation gave $617,020 in 2024, $606,864 in 2023, and $400,000 in 2025 to the University of Bridgeport, all described as support in furtherance of the foundation’s stated objectives. Healthcare is another major theme. Norwalk Hospital Foundation received $250,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025, while St Vincent’s Medical Center Foundation in Bridgeport received $217,000 in 2025, $112,800 in 2024, and $99,737 in 2023. Community youth and family services also appear in the record: Wakemans Boys & Girls Club in Fairfield received $100,000 in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025. The foundation additionally supported Bridgeport Hospital Foundation with $100,000 in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025, reinforcing its institutional focus.
Grant sizes cluster in the upper single-thousands to low five figures for typical awards, with a p25 of $5,000, a median of $7,500, and a p75 of $16,500. The recent grants list also shows much larger repeat awards to a small group of institutions, indicating a two-tier pattern of many modest grants alongside a few substantial commitments. Recipients appear across multiple years, especially in Bridgeport, Norwalk, and Fairfield, which points to ongoing relationships rather than one-time gifts. The foundation is not described as making program-related investments, and it does not fund individuals. The award language is often the same across recipients: “in furtherance of stated objectives of the foundation,” suggesting discretionary general support.
$2.5M
$8.7M
$3.4M
$2.6M
Most grants fall between $5K and $17K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$17K
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Notable grantees: University of Bridgeport, Norwalk Hospital Foundation
Giving is overwhelmingly concentrated in Connecticut, which accounts for 93% of grants and is the top state by grant count. Bridgeport appears repeatedly, including grants to the University of Bridgeport, St Vincent’s Medical Center Foundation, and Bridgeport Hospital Foundation. Other Connecticut recipients include Norwalk, Fairfield, New Haven, Danbury, and Trumbull, showing a southwestern Connecticut emphasis with some broader in-state reach. Outside Connecticut, the list includes Valhalla, New York; Michigan City, Indiana; and no non-U.S. countries in the grant record.
The recent grants point to higher education, healthcare, and community-serving institutions. University of Bridgeport, Norwalk Hospital Foundation, Bridgeport Hospital Foundation, St Vincent’s Medical Center Foundation, and Wakemans Boys & Girls Club all appear in the grant record, each receiving repeated support over multiple years.
The typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $7,500 at the median, and $16,500 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes much larger institutional awards, showing that the foundation makes both modest and substantial gifts.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years. For example, University of Bridgeport, Norwalk Hospital Foundation, Bridgeport Hospital Foundation, and Wakemans Boys & Girls Club each received repeated grants across 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Connecticut is the clear center of giving, with 93% of grants going to recipients in the state. Bridgeport is especially prominent in the recent grants list, alongside Norwalk and Fairfield.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | $400,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Norwalk Hospital Foundation | Norwalk, CT | $250,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| ST Vincent'S Medical Center Foundation | Bridgeport, CT | $217,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Ronald McDonald House Greater Hudson Valley | Valhalla, NY | $132,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Ronald McDonald House Of New Haven CT | New Haven, CT | $125,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Wakemans Boys & Girls Club | Fairfield, CT | $100,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Bridgeport Hospital Foundation | Bridgeport, CT | $100,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Kids And Clay Foundation | Michigan City, IN | $68,900 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Make A Wish Foundation | Trumbull, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Danbury Hospital Development Fund | Danbury, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Housatonic Community College Foundation | Bridgeport, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Sared Heart University Scholarship Fund | Fairfield, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| United Way Campaign of Coastal Fairfield County | Bridgeport, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Greater Bridgeport Symphony | Bridgeport, CT | $40,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Trumbull Congregational Church | Trumbull, CT | $40,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| CT Beardsley Zoo | Bridgeport, CT | $40,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Fairfield University | Fairfield, CT | $35,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| American Cancer Society | Wilton, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| ST Joseph High School | Trumbull, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| American Red Cross | Bridgeport, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Americares | Stamford, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Caroline House | Bridgeport, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Connecticut Central Coast YMCA | New Haven, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Cardinal Shehan Center | Bridgeport, CT | $20,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Horizons at Sacred Heart University | Fairfield, CT | $20,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| ST Vincent's Foundation Golf Tournament | Bridgeport, CT | $16,500 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Barnum Festival | Bridgeport, CT | $15,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Lifebridge Community Services | Bridgeport, CT | $15,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Stepping Stones Museum | Trumbull, CT | $15,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Livlife Livfun livfree | Shelton, CT | $15,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Kolbe Cathedral Scholarship Fund | Bridgeport, CT | $15,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Sterling House Community Center | Straford, CT | $15,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Bridgeport Rescue Mission | Bridgeport, CT | $15,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Kennedy Center | Trumbull, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Person To Person | Norwalk, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Thomas Merton Center | Bridgeport, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Children's Community School | Waterbury, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Visiting Nurse Services Of CT | Bridgeport, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Alpha Community Services | Bridgeport, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Boys & Girls Village | Milford, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Habitat For Humanity Of Greater Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Children's Educational Opportunity | Bridgeport, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Center For Family Justice | Bridgeport, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| ISPIRICA | Stamford, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Workplace Inc | Bridgeport, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Downtown Special Services District | Bridgeport, CT | $7,500 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| New Beginings Family Academy | Bridgeport, CT | $7,500 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Fairfield Museum and History Center | Fairfield, CT | $7,500 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| Fairfield County Community Foundation | Norwalk, CT | $7,500 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
| St Catherine's Center for Special Needs | Fairfield, CT | $7,500 | 2025 | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation |
University of Bridgeport
$400,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
ST Vincent'S Medical Center Foundation
$217,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Ronald McDonald House Greater Hudson Valley
$132,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Ronald McDonald House Of New Haven CT
$125,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Wakemans Boys & Girls Club
In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Bridgeport Hospital Foundation
$100,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Kids And Clay Foundation
$68,900In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Make A Wish Foundation
$50,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Danbury Hospital Development Fund
$50,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Sared Heart University Scholarship Fund
$50,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
United Way Campaign of Coastal Fairfield County
$50,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Greater Bridgeport Symphony
$40,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Trumbull Congregational Church
$40,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
CT Beardsley Zoo
$40,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
American Cancer Society
$25,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
ST Joseph High School
$25,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
American Red Cross
$25,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Americares
$25,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Caroline House
$25,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Cardinal Shehan Center
$20,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Horizons at Sacred Heart University
$20,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
ST Vincent's Foundation Golf Tournament
$16,500In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Barnum Festival
$15,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Lifebridge Community Services
$15,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Stepping Stones Museum
$15,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Livlife Livfun livfree
$15,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Kolbe Cathedral Scholarship Fund
$15,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Sterling House Community Center
$15,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Kennedy Center
$10,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Thomas Merton Center
$10,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Children's Community School
$10,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Visiting Nurse Services Of CT
$10,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Alpha Community Services
$10,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Habitat For Humanity Of Greater Bridgeport
$10,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Children's Educational Opportunity
$10,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
ISPIRICA
$10,000In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Downtown Special Services District
$7,500In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
New Beginings Family Academy
$7,500In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Fairfield Museum and History Center
$7,500In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
Fairfield County Community Foundation
$7,500In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation
St Catherine's Center for Special Needs
$7,500In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation