The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation appears to concentrate its recent giving on Connecticut-focused environmental sustainability efforts and selective investments in education capacity-building. The foundation makes a small number of sizable grants, with repeat funding to a lead environmental organization and one substantial grant supporting education organizational strengthening. Its support is programmatic (environmental project funding) and strategic (capacity building) rather than broad, distributed giving.
A repeated pattern defines The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Inc: it makes large, multi-year grants to sustain Connecticut environmental work while also backing targeted education and arts projects elsewhere. The clearest thread is its support for Sustainable Ct Inc, which appears in multiple years and in both general operating and project/program roles, including a $389,477 grant in 2023 and a $198,986 grant in 2024. That kind of recurring support points to a funder that favors continuity over one-time checks. Education is another major lane. The foundation gave $262,500 to Earlybird Education for capacity building in 2023, then followed with another $150,000 project/program grant in 2025. It also supported The Learning Alliance in both 2023 and 2025, showing a willingness to stay with selected education partners over time. Beyond environment and education, the foundation has also funded visual arts organizations and media projects, including The Art Institute of Chicago and Hyperallergic Media Inc. The portfolio suggests strategic grants to organizations working at the program or organizational level rather than broad, dispersed support.
Environmental sustainability in Connecticut is the foundation’s most visible cause area. In 2025, it gave $150,000 to Greenwave Organization Corp in New Haven for an environment project/program grant, and it has repeatedly funded Sustainable Ct Inc for both operating and project work. Education support shows a separate emphasis on organizational strength and program delivery. Earlybird Education received $262,500 for capacity building in 2023 and another $150,000 for a project/program grant in 2025. The Learning Alliance also appears with grants in 2023 and 2025, both tied to education program support. The foundation also funds arts and media work. The Art Institute of Chicago received $150,000 in 2025 for a visual art project/program grant, while Hyperallergic Media Inc received grants in 2023 and 2024 for visual arts programming.
Typical grants are modest to mid-sized rather than very small or transformational: the 25th percentile is $2,000, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $12,750. The recent-gifts list also shows a narrower set of larger awards at the program level, with multiple grants at $100,000 and above. The pattern is repeat funding to the same organizations across years, especially in environment and education. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Grants appear to be made through operating support, project/program support, and capacity-building support rather than through an application process that is visible in the data.
$2.9M
$78.8M
$14.5M
$4.9M
Most grants fall between $2K and $13K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$13K
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Concentrated, large gifts to a very small number of recipients; repeat funding to a primary environmental grantee and occasional single large grants for organizational capacity in education.
Notable grantees: Sustainable CT Inc, EarlyBird Education
Giving is national, but Connecticut receives the largest share of grants and accounts for 24% of recipients in the HQ state. Recipient locations in the recent grants list cluster in a few places: Storrs, CT; New Haven, CT; Philadelphia, PA; Needham, MA; and Arlington, VA. The country distribution is entirely domestic, with 584 grants to US recipients and no non-US grant destinations shown. Connecticut stands out not just because of volume, but because several of the largest grants in the recent list go to Connecticut-based organizations.
The recent grants show support for environmental, education, and visual arts organizations. Environmental recipients include Sustainable Ct Inc and Greenwave Organization Corp; education recipients include Earlybird Education, The Learning Alliance, Aim Academy, and the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation; visual arts recipients include The Art Institute of Chicago and Hyperallergic Media Inc.
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeated support for several organizations across multiple years, including Sustainable Ct Inc in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Earlybird Education in 2023 and 2025; The Learning Alliance in 2023 and 2025; and Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation in 2023 and 2025.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is relatively concentrated: the 25th percentile is $2,000, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $12,750. The recent grants list also includes larger awards, including several grants at $100,000 or more.
Connecticut is the top state by grant count, with 24% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Recent recipient cities there include Storrs and New Haven.
Yes. The foundation has given both capacity-building and project/program grants in education. Earlybird Education received $262,500 for capacity building in 2023 and $150,000 for a project/program grant in 2025, and The Learning Alliance received grants in both 2023 and 2025.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE LEARNING ALLIANCE | VERO BEACH, FL | $155,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| EARLYBIRD EDUCATION | NEEDHAM, MA | $150,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $150,000 | 2025 | VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| GREENWAVE ORGANIZATION CORP | NEW HAVEN, CT | $150,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| SUSTAINABLE CT INC | STORRS, CT | $131,014 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT - GENERAL OPERATING |
| AIM ACADEMY | CONSHOHOCKEN, PA | $125,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $110,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| SUSTAINABLE CT INC | STORRS, CT | $100,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| SUSTAINABLE CT INC | STORRS, CT | $100,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| PA BRANCH INTERNATIONAL DYSLEXIA ASSOCIATION | PHOENIXVILLE, PA | $90,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA FOUNDATION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $88,527 | 2025 | EDUCATION - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| WETA-TV-FM | ARLINGTON, VA | $75,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| SUSTAINABLE CT INC | STORRS, CT | $58,446 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT - GENERAL OPERATING |
| CONNECTICUT COUNCIL FOR PHILANTHROPY | HARTFORD, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| WESTMINSTER SCHOOLS INC | ATLANTA, GA | $50,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION - GENERAL OPERATING |
| PRATT INSTITUTE | BROOKLYN, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA - GREATER PHILADELPHIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| ARTS DESIGN ALUMNI RESEARCH | PROVIDENCE, RI | $50,000 | 2025 | VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| TRIANGLE ARTWORKS | RALEIGH, NC | $47,000 | 2025 | VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| AIM ACADEMY | CONSHOHOCKEN, PA | $45,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| THE LEARNING ALLIANCE | VERO BEACH, FL | $40,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION - GENERAL OPERATING |
| CREATIVE WACO | WACO, TX | $35,000 | 2025 | VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| CHIEFS FOR CHANGE | WASHINGTON, DC | $35,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| NEUHAUS EDUCATION CENTER | BELLAIRE, TX | $30,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| SUSTAINABLE CT INC | STORRS, CT | $30,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| DENISON UNIVERSITY | GRANTVILLE, OH | $30,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION - GENERAL OPERATING |
| HOUSTON ARTS ALLIANCE | HOUSTON, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| THE ELLA PROJECT | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $25,000 | 2025 | VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| PRATT INSTITUTE | BROOKLYN, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| ARTS & BUSINESS COUNCIL OF GREATER BOSTON INC | BOSTON, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| DORF | AUSTIN, TX | $20,000 | 2025 | VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| ETHEL WALKER SCHOOL INC | SIMSBURY, CT | $20,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION - GENERAL OPERATING |
| EAGLEBROOK SCHOOL | DEERFIELD, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION - GENERAL OPERATING |
| HATHAWAY BROWN SCHOOL | SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION - GENERAL OPERATING |
| DATAHAVEN | NEW HAVEN, CT | $20,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| GREENS FARMS ACADEMY | GREEN FARMS, CT | $18,500 | 2025 | EDUCATION - GENERAL OPERATING |
| PREBLE STREET | PORTLAND, ME | $17,750 | 2025 | COMMUNITY PROJECTS - GENERAL OPERATING |
| HIGH POINT ARTS COUNCIL | HIGH POINT, NC | $15,000 | 2025 | VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| SHORELINE ARTS ALLIANCE | MADISON, CT | $15,000 | 2025 | VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| 22MOHAWKS | SHARON, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY PROJECTS - GENERAL OPERATING |
| MID-AMERICA ARTS ALLIANCE | KANSAS CITY, MO | $15,000 | 2025 | VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| ARTS DESIGN ALUMNI RESEARCH | PROVIDENCE, RI | $10,500 | 2025 | VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| MOONSHOT INITIATIVE INC | KINGSTON, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| ART AND CULTURE TOGETHER INC | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | VISUAL ARTS - GENERAL OPERATING |
| TSM 14 ENTERPRISE CORP | CARNEGIE, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY PROJECTS - GENERAL OPERATING |
| GIORNO POETRY SYSTEMS | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| MID ATLANTIC ARTS | BALTIMORE, MD | $10,000 | 2025 | VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN | AUSTIN, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION - GENERAL OPERATING |
| UNITED WAY-THOMAS JEFFERSON AREA | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY PROJECTS - GENERAL OPERATING |
| TEN DIRECTIONS INC | CHESTER, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY PROJECTS - GENERAL OPERATING |
EARLYBIRD EDUCATION
$150,000EDUCATION - PROJECT/PROGRAM
SUSTAINABLE CT INC
$131,014ENVIRONMENT - GENERAL OPERATING
EDUCATION - PROJECT/PROGRAM
GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE
$110,000ENVIRONMENT - PROJECT/PROGRAM
SUSTAINABLE CT INC
$100,000ENVIRONMENT - PROJECT/PROGRAM
SUSTAINABLE CT INC
$100,000ENVIRONMENT - PROJECT/PROGRAM
PA BRANCH INTERNATIONAL DYSLEXIA ASSOCIATION
$90,000EDUCATION - PROJECT/PROGRAM
SUSTAINABLE CT INC
$58,446ENVIRONMENT - GENERAL OPERATING
PRATT INSTITUTE
$50,000VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM
ARTS DESIGN ALUMNI RESEARCH
$50,000VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM
TRIANGLE ARTWORKS
$47,000VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM
CREATIVE WACO
$35,000VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM
SUSTAINABLE CT INC
$30,000ENVIRONMENT - PROJECT/PROGRAM
THE ELLA PROJECT
$25,000VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM
PRATT INSTITUTE
$25,000VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM
DORF
$20,000VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM
ETHEL WALKER SCHOOL INC
$20,000EDUCATION - GENERAL OPERATING
EAGLEBROOK SCHOOL
$20,000EDUCATION - GENERAL OPERATING
DATAHAVEN
$20,000ENVIRONMENT - PROJECT/PROGRAM
SHORELINE ARTS ALLIANCE
$15,000VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM
22MOHAWKS
$15,000COMMUNITY PROJECTS - GENERAL OPERATING
ARTS DESIGN ALUMNI RESEARCH
$10,500VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM
MOONSHOT INITIATIVE INC
$10,000VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM
ART AND CULTURE TOGETHER INC
$10,000VISUAL ARTS - GENERAL OPERATING
TSM 14 ENTERPRISE CORP
$10,000COMMUNITY PROJECTS - GENERAL OPERATING
GIORNO POETRY SYSTEMS
$10,000VISUAL ART - PROJECT/PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
$10,000EDUCATION - GENERAL OPERATING
UNITED WAY-THOMAS JEFFERSON AREA
$10,000COMMUNITY PROJECTS - GENERAL OPERATING
TEN DIRECTIONS INC
$10,000COMMUNITY PROJECTS - GENERAL OPERATING