Trellis Foundation

About Trellis Foundation

Trellis Foundation’s recent grantmaking shows a strong Texas education strategy built around postsecondary completion, student well-being, and systems change. The foundation gave $1,000,000 each in 2025 to New York University and Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, alongside major support for Texas-based colleges, foundations, and advocacy organizations. That mix points to a funder that backs both research and practice: policy work, student support, workforce pathways, and institutional capacity all appear in the portfolio. The foundation’s work is closely tied to equitable educational opportunity for low-income students and students of color in Texas. Its grants include support for college completion nonprofits, nursing pathways, reskilling and upskilling initiatives, and collaborative efforts that connect colleges with workforce partners. Trellis also uses a range of grant sizes, from smaller expedited awards to large strategic investments reviewed by the board. Across the recent grants list, Texas institutions and intermediaries appear repeatedly, including Texas Association of Community Colleges, Region One Education Service Center, and University of Texas at San Antonio. The pattern suggests a regional funder focused on improving postsecondary outcomes through direct services, convenings, and policy-relevant investments.

What Trellis Foundation Funds

In mental health and student wellbeing, Trellis Foundation awarded $1,000,000 to Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute in 2025 and previously gave $650,000 in 2023. In policy and systems work, it provided $300,000 to The Aspen Institute, aligning with its support for convenings, collaborations, and statewide change. In community-based student support, the foundation awarded $500,000 to Communities Foundation of Texas Inc. and $223,500 to Waco Foundation, both of which sit within its Texas-focused college completion strategy. The foundation also invests in workforce-linked education. It gave $350,000 to E2e Partners and $325,000 to Texas Association of Community Colleges in 2025, reflecting attention to regional partnerships and postsecondary pathways. Research and institutional learning appear as well: Trellis awarded $257,554 to University of Texas at Austin for research and $187,500 to American Association of Colleges & Universities for capacity-related work. These grants show a mix of direct service support, systems-building, and field-level collaboration.

How Trellis Foundation Gives