Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation
Invitation OnlyBridgeport, Connecticut · EIN 06-1485833 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2025)$2.5M
Organizations funded109
Typical grant$7,000
Total assets$48M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $5,000 and $20,000.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2025 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
6% of grants went outside Connecticut.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $377,337 |
| Norwalk Hospital Foundation | Danbury, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $250,000 |
| St Vincent's Medical Center Foundation | Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $190,727 |
| Ronald McDonald House Greater Hudson Valley | Valhalla, NY | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $150,000 |
| Ronald McDonald House Charities of CT & Western MA | New Haven, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $150,000 |
| Bridgeport Hospital Foundation | Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $100,000 |
| Kids & Clays Foundation | Michigan City, IN | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $68,900 |
| CT Beardsley Zoo | Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $50,000 |
| Danbury Hospital Development Fund | Danbury, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $50,000 |
| Housatonic Community College Foundation | Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $50,000 |
| Make A Wish Foundation | Trumbull, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $50,000 |
| Sacred Heart University Scholarship Fund | Fairfield, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $50,000 |
| United Way of Coastal & Western CT | Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $50,000 |
| Trumbull Congregational Church | Trumbull, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $40,000 |
| Fairfield University | Fairfield, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $35,000 |
| St Joseph High School | Trumbull, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $34,350 |
| American Cancer Society New England Div | Norwalk, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $25,000 |
| American Red Cross | Farmington, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $25,000 |
| Americares | Stamford, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $25,000 |
| Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders | Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $25,000 |
| Caroline House | Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $25,000 |
| Connecticut Central Coast YMCA | New Haven, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $25,000 |
| Trumbull Veterans & First Responders Center | Trumbull, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $25,000 |
| Bridgeport Rescue Mission | Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $20,000 |
| Cardinal Shehan Center | Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $20,000 |
| Greater Bridgeport Symphony | Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $20,000 |
| Horizons at Sacred Heart University | Fairfield, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $20,000 |
| Wakeman Boys & Girls Club | Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $20,000 |
| St Vincent's Medical Foundation Golf Tournament | Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $15,340 |
| Barnum Festival | Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $15,000 |
| Center For Family Justice | Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $15,000 |
| Children's Community School | Waterbury, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $15,000 |
| Kolbe Cathedral High School Scholarship Fund | Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $15,000 |
| Lifebridge Community Services | Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $15,000 |
| LivLife LivFun LivFree | Trumbull, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $15,000 |
| Stepping Stones Museum for Children | Norwalk, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $15,000 |
| Sterling House Community Center | Stratford, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $15,000 |
| Alpha Community Services YMCA | Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $10,000 |
| Boys & Girls Village | Milford, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $10,000 |
| Children's Educational Opportunity Foundation of CT Inc | Madison, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $10,000 |
| Habitat For Humanity Of Coastal Fairfield County | Hartford, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $10,000 |
| Inspirica | Stamford, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $10,000 |
| The Kennedy Center | Trumbull, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $10,000 |
| Person To Person | Darien, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $10,000 |
| Thomas Merton Center | Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $10,000 |
| Visiting Nurse Services Of CT | Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $10,000 |
| CT Burns Care Foundation | Milford, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $7,500 |
| Bridgeport Downtown Special Services District | Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $7,500 |
| Fairfield County Community Foundation | Norwalk, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $7,500 |
| Fairfield Museum and History Center | Fairfield, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $7,500 |
| New Beginings Family Academy | Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $7,500 |
| Open Door Shelter | Norwalk, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $7,500 |
| Regional Hospice | Danbury, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $7,500 |
| St Catherine's Center for Special Needs | Fairfield, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $7,500 |
| New Reach | New Haven, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $7,000 |
| Bridgeport Public Education Fund | Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $6,000 |
| Junior Achievement of Greater Fairfield County | Shelton, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $5,500 |
| New Haven Chorale | New Haven, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $5,500 |
| Access Independence Inc | Stratford, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $5,000 |
| Ahlbin Rehabilitation Center | Bridgeport, CT | In Furtherance of Stated Objectives of the Foundation | $5,000 |
Showing the 60 largest of 109 grants to organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,493,654 | 109 |
| 2024 | $2,496,189 | 104 |
| 2023 | $2,402,720 | 97 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed Jul 31, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202642119349100124
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 06-1485833
- Profile updated Nov 4, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.