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Trefoil Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Trefoil Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$5k
Granted FY2025still arriving
3
Grants FY2025still arriving
3
States reached
$2k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0199% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2025.

Religion$52kInternational$32kHousing & Shelter$24kHealth$19kArts & Culture$12kEnvironment$8kHuman Services$7kEducation$5kOther$0
02FY2025 · 3 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

$2,000
Median grant
3
States reached
$13k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
Order of St John$2,000
Episcopal Diocese of Maryland$2,000
Granite United Way$500
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY17–24, $31k) land where the poverty rate runs at 17%, against an area that typically sits at 9%. 95% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 9%New Hampshire Food Bank: $500 → 7%New Hampshire Food Bank: $500 → 7%New Hampshire Food Bank: $250 → 7%New Hampshire Food Bank: $250 → 7%Covenant House: $9k → 17%Covenant House: $6k → 17%COVENANT HOUSE: $3k → 17%Covenant House: $3k → 17%COVENANT HOUSE: $2k → 17%Covenant House: $1k → 17%Convenant House: $1k → 17%Episcopal Relief & Development: $2k → 17%EPISCOPAL RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT: $2k → 17%Episcopal Relief & Development: $1k → 17%EPISCOPAL RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT: $1k → 17%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

ME
NH
MI
NY
MA
IA
CT
CA
VA
MD
AR
DC
GA
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

85%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$139k · 30 repeat orgs$24k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +40% since the first grant, against +7% for those funded once.

30 repeat relationships: 3 still active in FY2025, 27 since wound down.

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

30
22

Total granted

$139k
$24k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+40%
+7%

Still filing today

60%
64%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 100% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $0 went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
InternationalArts & CultureHuman ServicesHealthEducationCivil RightsOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • CH
    COVENANT HOUSE
    7× · 2017–2024 · $23k · revenue +34%
  • PI
    PRIORY IN THE USA OF THE MOST VENERABLE ORDER OF THE HOSP / ST JOHN OF JERUSALEM
    7× · 2018–2025 · $15k · revenue +46%
  • UNITED STATES FUND FOR UNICEF
    6× · 2017–2024 · $14k · revenue +76%

Funded once

  • SI
    St Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Ch
    one grant, 2024 · $7k
  • SI
    St Ignatius of Antioch
    one grant, 2023 · $6k
  • CI
    CAMBRIDGE IN AMERICAgraduated
    one grant, 2020 · $2k · revenue +89%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Parliamentarians for Global Action

Parliamentarians for global action (pga) is a non-partisan ngo network of legislators from all regions of the world acting in their individual capacity to advocate for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law; peace and human security;…

International
2
The Population Council Inc

We generate ideas, produce evidence, and design solutions to improve the lives of underserved populations around the world. we take a multidisciplinary, intergenerational, life-cycle approach that contributes to (see schedule o)four global…

International
3
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Chartered by a unanimous act of congress, the museum is america's national institution for the documentation, study, interpretation, and education of holocaust history and serves as our country's memorial to the victims of the holocaust.…

Arts & Culture
4
Conservation International Foundation

Ci works to spotlight and secure the critical benefits that nature provides to humanity.

Environment
5
University of New Haven

The University of New Haven is a student-centered comprehensive university with an emphasis on excellence in liberal arts and professional education. Our mission is to prepare our students to lead purposeful and fulfilling lives in a…

Education
6
United States Naval Institute

Provide an independent forum for those who dare to read, think, speak, and write to advance the professional, literary, and scientific understanding of sea power and other issues critical to global security.

—
7
American National Standards Institute

To enhance both the global competitiveness of u.s. business and the u.s. quality of life by promoting and facilitating voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems, and safeguarding their integrity.

Public Benefit
8
World Wildlife Fund Inc

Wwf's mission is to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on earth. (continued on schedule o)

Environment
9
National Public Radio Inc

National public radio, inc. ("npr") works collaboratively with member public radio station licensees ("member stations") to create a more informed public, one that is challenged and invigorated by a deeper understanding and appreciation of…

Arts & Culture
10
Peter G Peterson Institute for International Economics

The peterson institute for international economics (piie) is an independent nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization dedicated to strengthening prosperity and human welfare in the global economy through expert analysis and practical…

Social Science
11
Climate Institute

The climate institute is organized for the purpose of educating the general public and policy makers as to the gravity of potential climate change, exploring the policy implications of the latest scientific findings on climate modelling…

Environment
12
International Crisis Group

Crisis group works to prevent and resolve deadly conflict around the world by informing and influencing the perceptions and actions of policymakers and other key conflict actors. to this end, we endeavour to talk to all sides and provide…

International
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Human Rights Watch Inc; the most unlike its peers is The Womens Home. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

34 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 34 of the 53 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
2
Early backer (in before they grew)
33/34
Grantees still filing
26/34
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

St Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Church: $12,950 · OtherSt Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal ChurchCONVENTION OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF DIOCESE OF MD: $8,200 · OtherCONVENTION OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF …St Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Ch: $6,600 · OtherSt Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal ChTHE NATURE CONSERVANCY: $6,300 · OtherTHE NATURE CONSERVANCYSt Ignatius of Antioch: $6,000 · OtherSt Ignatius of AntiochEpiscopal Charities: $6,000 · OtherEpiscopal CharitiesST JOHNS EPISCOPAL CHURCH: $4,900 · OtherST JOHNS EPISCOPAL CHURCHEPISCOPAL CHURCH AT YALE: $3,000 · OtherPortsmouth Historical Society: $2,500 · Other+19 more: $17,100 · Other+19 moreUNITED STATES FUND FOR UNICEF: $14,100 · InternationalUNITED STATES FUND FOR…MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC: $12,250 · InternationalMEDECINS SANS FRONTIER…PROJECT HOPE - THE PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE HEALTH FOUNDATION INC: $2,500 · InternationalPROJECT HOPE - THE PEO…CAMBRIDGE IN AMERICA: $2,000 · InternationalCAMBRIDGE IN AMERICACOOPERATIVE FOR ASSISTANCE AND RELIEF EVERYWHERE INC: $1,350 · InternationalHUMAN RIGHTS WATCH INC: $1,200 · International+1 more: $750 · InternationalCOVENANT HOUSE: $23,000 · Human ServicesCOVENANT HOUSEEPISCOPAL RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT: $6,000 · Human ServicesEPISCOPAL RELIEF AND…New Hampshire Catholic Charities: $1,500 · Human Services+1 more: $250 · Human ServicesPRIORY IN THE USA OF THE MOST VENERABLE ORDER OF THE HOSP / ST JOHN OF JERUSALEM: $15,450 · HealthPRIORY IN TH…AIDS RESPONSE SEACOAST: $2,500 · HealthAIDS RESPONS…+1 more: $500 · HealthSTRAWBERY BANKE MUSEUM: $2,000 · Arts & CultureTHE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF THE COLONIAL DAMES OF AMERICA: $1,000 · Arts & CultureNATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN THE UNITED STATES: $750 · Arts & CultureSEACOAST SCIENCE CENTER INC: $300 · Arts & CultureMaine Public Broadcasting Corporation: $250 · Arts & Culture+1 more: $75 · Arts & CultureTHE CARROLL SCHOOL: $1,500 · EducationPROPRIETORS PORTSMOUTH ATHENAEUM: $1,500 · EducationWILLIAM J BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE INC: $900 · EducationLAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE & EDUCATION FUND INC: $3,000 · Civil RightsTHE CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS INC: $300 · Civil Rights
Other$73,550International$34,150Human Services$30,750Health$18,450Arts & Culture$4,375Education$3,900Civil Rights$3,300

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetCOVENANT HOUSE: $23,000 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetPRIORY IN THE USA OF THE MOST VENERABLE ORDER OF THE HOSP / ST JOHN OF JERUSALEM: $15,450 over 7y, 0.1% of budgetUNITED STATES FUND FOR UNICEF: $14,100 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetMEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC: $12,250 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetTHE NATURE CONSERVANCY: $6,300 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetEPISCOPAL RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT: $6,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetLAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE & EDUCATION FUND INC: $3,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetPROJECT HOPE - THE PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE HEALTH FOUNDATION INC: $2,500 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetAIDS RESPONSE SEACOAST: $2,500 over 4y, 0.3% of budgetPortsmouth Historical Society: $2,500 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetCAMBRIDGE IN AMERICA: $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSTRAWBERY BANKE MUSEUM: $2,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetNew Hampshire Catholic Charities: $1,500 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetGRANITE UNITED WAY: $1,500 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetTHE CARROLL SCHOOL: $1,500 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetPROPRIETORS PORTSMOUTH ATHENAEUM: $1,500 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetCOOPERATIVE FOR ASSISTANCE AND RELIEF EVERYWHERE INC: $1,350 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetHUMAN RIGHTS WATCH INC: $1,200 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetEpiscopal Impact Fund FKA Episcopal Charities: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF THE COLONIAL DAMES OF AMERICA: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNEW YORK THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWILLIAM J BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE INC: $900 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetNATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN THE UNITED STATES: $750 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetFINCA INTERNATIONAL INC: $750 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetGuttmacher Institute Inc: $600 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetGAY MEN'S HEALTH CRISIS INC: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetThe Womens Home: $500 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetSEACOAST SCIENCE CENTER INC: $300 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS INC: $300 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND INCORPORATED: $300 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMaine Public Broadcasting Corporation: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetAmerican National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSociety for Promoting & Encouraging Arts & Knowledge of the Church: $200 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMUSEUM OF FINE ARTS: $75 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

A Caring Community IncNew Hampshire Charita…American Endowment Fo…Renaissance Charitabl…Vanguard Charitable E…National Philanthropi…Morgan Stanley Global…The Bank of America C…Network for GoodDonor Advised Charita…Fidelity Investments …American Online Givin…
A Caring Community IncME15.7× affinity5 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: A Caring Community Inc · New Hampshire Charitable Foundation · American Endowment Foundation · Renaissance Charitable Foundation Inc · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · National Philanthropic Trust · Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc · The Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc · Network for Good · Donor Advised Charitable Giving Inc · Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund · American Online Giving Foundation Inc

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Trefoil Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Trefoil Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 10%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →median 0%
  • Museum of Fine Arts: 0% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
1get no government money at all
4report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 53 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Trefoil’s filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home