Private foundation · EIN 06-1485833 · Bridgeport, Connecticut · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 109 grants paid, $2.5M total, median $7,000. 94% of grants stayed in Connecticut.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
109
$2.5M
Median grant
$7,000
Stays in CT
94%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$9.2M

Grants paid in 2025

Top 60 of 109 grants by amount · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
University of BridgeportBridgeport, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$377K
Norwalk Hospital FoundationDanbury, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$250K
St Vincent's Medical Center FoundationBridgeport, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$191K
Ronald McDonald House Greater Hudson ValleyValhalla, NYIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$150K
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ct & Western MaNew Haven, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$150K
Bridgeport Hospital FoundationBridgeport, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$100K
Kids & Clays FoundationMichigan City, INIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$69K
Ct Beardsley ZooBridgeport, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$50K
Danbury Hospital Development FundDanbury, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$50K
Housatonic Community College FoundationBridgeport, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$50K
Make a Wish FoundationTrumbull, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$50K
Sacred Heart University Scholarship FundFairfield, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$50K
United Way of Coastal & Western CtBridgeport, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$50K
Trumbull Congregational ChurchTrumbull, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$40K
Fairfield UniversityFairfield, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$35K
St Joseph High SchoolTrumbull, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$34K
American Cancer Society New England DivNorwalk, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$25K
American Red CrossFarmington, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$25K
AmericaresStamford, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$25K
Bridgeport Caribe Youth LeadersBridgeport, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$25K
Caroline HouseBridgeport, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$25K
Connecticut Central Coast YMCANew Haven, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$25K
Trumbull Veterans & First Responders CenterTrumbull, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$25K
Bridgeport Rescue MissionBridgeport, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$20K
Cardinal Shehan CenterBridgeport, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$20K
Greater Bridgeport SymphonyBridgeport, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$20K
Horizons at Sacred Heart UniversityFairfield, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$20K
Wakeman Boys & Girls ClubBridgeport, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$20K
St Vincent's Medical Foundation Golf TournamentBridgeport, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$15K
Barnum FestivalBridgeport, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$15K
Center for Family JusticeBridgeport, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$15K
Children's Community SchoolWaterbury, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$15K
Kolbe Cathedral High School Scholarship FundBridgeport, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$15K
Lifebridge Community ServicesBridgeport, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$15K
Livlife Livfun LivfreeTrumbull, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$15K
Stepping Stones Museum for ChildrenNorwalk, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$15K
Sterling House Community CenterStratford, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$15K
Alpha Community Services YMCABridgeport, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$10K
Boys & Girls VillageMilford, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$10K
Children's Educational Opportunity Foundation of Ct IncMadison, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$10K
Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield CountyHartford, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$10K
InspiricaStamford, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$10K
The Kennedy CenterTrumbull, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$10K
Person to PersonDarien, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$10K
Thomas Merton CenterBridgeport, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$10K
Visiting Nurse Services of CtBridgeport, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$10K
Ct Burns Care FoundationMilford, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$7,500
Bridgeport Downtown Special Services DistrictBridgeport, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$7,500
Fairfield County Community FoundationNorwalk, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$7,500
Fairfield Museum and History CenterFairfield, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$7,500
New Beginings Family AcademyBridgeport, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$7,500
Open Door ShelterNorwalk, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$7,500
Regional HospiceDanbury, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$7,500
St Catherine's Center for Special NeedsFairfield, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$7,500
New ReachNew Haven, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$7,000
Bridgeport Public Education FundBridgeport, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$6,000
Junior Achievement of Greater Fairfield CountyShelton, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$5,500
New Haven ChoraleNew Haven, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$5,500
Access Independence IncStratford, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$5,000
Ahlbin Rehabilitation CenterBridgeport, CTIn Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation$5,000

By state: Connecticut 102 · New York 6 · Indiana 1

About this foundation

Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Bridgeport, Connecticut, administered in care of Ernest C Trefz Ttee, tax-exempt since 1997. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $2.5M across 109 grants, a median of $7,000.

Where does Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation give?

Connecticut (102 grants), New York (6 grants), Indiana (1 grants), per its latest filing.

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