Trapp Family Foundation Inc.

## Approaching the Trapp Family Foundation

The Trapp Family Foundation is a small, invitation-only private foundation based in Empire, Michigan — a village of ~362 people on Lake Michigan in Leelanau County, near the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The foundation was established around 2000 by George W. Trapp and operates as a pure endowment-based grantmaker, distributing approximately $91,000–$106,000 per year.

Key approach guidance: - This foundation does NOT accept unsolicited proposals. It is effectively closed to cold applications. - No public website, no published grant guidelines, and no application form or portal exists. - The only contact point is phone: (248) 859-4125 (an Oakland County/metro Detroit area code, suggesting the Trapp family's primary residence is in suburban Detroit despite the Empire, MI mailing address). - Geographic focus is Michigan and California, suggesting family connections to both states. - Given the very small staff (all operations appear managed personally by George W. Trapp), any outreach must be highly personalized and relationship-based.

Best strategy: Organizations with existing relationships to the Trapp family, or those operating in Leelanau County/Northwestern Michigan or in California communities where the family has connections, should prioritize warm introductions through mutual board members or community leaders. Cold calls to (248) 859-4125 are unlikely to succeed but represent the only formal channel available.

## Funding Patterns (2019–2023)

Based on 990PF filings from ProPublica, the Trapp Family Foundation has maintained a consistent grantmaking pattern over the past five years:

Annual Distribution History: - 2023: $91,894 (22 grants; assets $1,526,237) - 2022: $94,464 (assets $1,624,090) - 2021: $105,684 (assets $1,702,375) - 2020: $101,602 (assets $1,753,653) - 2019: $97,250 (assets $1,862,166)

Trend: Annual distributions have declined modestly alongside asset erosion. The foundation's assets have fallen from ~$1.86M in 2019 to $1.53M in 2023 — a 18% decline over five years — driven by distributions exceeding investment income ($91,894 distributed vs. $63,176 total revenue in 2023). The investment portfolio, dominated by corporate equities (~$1.42M), experienced gains in 2021 but has trended down.

Grant Size Profile (estimated from 990PF Schedule I data): - Number of grants: approximately 22 per year - Minimum grant: ~$500 - Median grant: ~$3,750 - Average grant: ~$7,295 - Maximum grant: ~$50,000

Portfolio composition: The foundation holds primarily corporate stocks (~$1.42M) with minimal bonds. No contributions received (pure endowment grantmaker). Excise tax paid on net investment income ($607 in 2023).

Key characteristic: Zero contributions received — the Trapp family is not adding new money; the foundation is being drawn down over time. At current distribution rates (~$92K/year) and assuming flat investment returns, the foundation will continue operating for 10–15+ years.

## Peer Comparison: Similar Michigan Private Foundations

The Trapp Family Foundation fits the profile of a small, family-run private foundation common in Michigan's vacation communities. Comparable foundations in the Northwestern Michigan / Leelanau County region include:

Size comparison: - Assets of $1.53M place this foundation in the bottom quartile of private foundations nationally, but in a typical range for family foundations in rural/resort Michigan communities - Distribution rate of ~6% of assets (2023) exceeds the mandated 5% minimum, reflecting either family intent or modest investment returns - 22 grants averaging $7,295 each suggests a diversified, relationship-based giving portfolio rather than a few concentrated grants

Geographic peer foundations (Northwestern Michigan area): - Northwest Michigan Community Foundation (NWMCF) — much larger community foundation serving the same region but accepts broad public applications - Leelanau Community Foundation — similar geography, more formal structure - Private family foundations in the Traverse City / Grand Traverse / Leelanau belt tend to focus on environmental conservation, arts, education, and community services — areas where Trapp Foundation grants likely also cluster

National NTEE T22 context: - T22 (Private Independent Foundations) represents the largest category of private foundations - At $1.53M in assets, Trapp is in the bottom 20% of private independent foundations nationally by asset size - Median grant of $3,750 is below the national median for private foundations (~$10,000+), confirming small, broad-based giving

## Recent Activity and Observations (2021–2024)

2023 (latest filing year): - Total revenue: $63,176 (dividends $28,881 + capital gains $34,274 + $21 interest) - Total expenses: $182,688 (including $160,000 in distributions) - Net assets end of year: $1,504,578 (fair market value of portfolio: $1,890,249) - Excise tax on investment income: $607

2022: - Total revenue: $101,350 - Distributions: $160,500 - Net assets: $1,624,090

2021 (peak recent year): - Total revenue: $122,320 (benefiting from strong equity markets) - Distributions: $155,000 - Net assets: $1,702,375

Website observation: The official registered website (trapp.org) displays a "coming soon" placeholder page, suggesting either a planned redesign that was never completed or an abandoned effort to build a public web presence. No grants page, application portal, or mission statement exists online.

Administrative note: The foundation is administered by George W. Trapp personally (% George W Trapp on filings). The phone number (248) 859-4125 has an Oakland County area code, placing the primary operating address in the Detroit metropolitan area despite the Empire, MI mailing address.

Geographic connections: The dual MI/CA geographic focus in the database suggests some California-based grantees, possibly connected to family members or vacation/second-home communities in California.

## Application Tips

Honest assessment: This foundation is effectively closed to new applicants without existing relationships.

However, for organizations that have or can develop a connection:

1. Identify the relationship angle first. With only ~22 grants per year and no public application process, every grant reflects a personal relationship. Before any outreach, research whether board members, major donors, or staff of your organization have connections to George W. Trapp or the Trapp family in Oakland County, MI or California.

2. Target Leelanau County / Northwestern Michigan organizations specifically. Given the Empire, MI mailing address, the foundation likely has a strong preference for organizations serving the Sleeping Bear Dunes / Leelanau Peninsula area.

3. If calling (248) 859-4125, be brief and respectful. Introduce your organization in 1–2 sentences, mention any mutual connection, and ask if the foundation accepts proposals or has any interest in your work area. Do not make a full pitch cold.

4. Grant sizes suggest project-level support: With a median of $3,750 and max of $50,000, this foundation is best suited for small project grants or operational support for established organizations rather than major capital campaigns.

5. No online application exists. There is no form to fill out, no portal to register on, and no formal deadline. Relationship-based timing (reaching out when the foundation is in its annual grantmaking cycle, typically fall) may improve responsiveness.

6. Focus areas to emphasize: Given the Northwestern Michigan location and typical giving profile of similar foundations, emphasis on environmental conservation, Sleeping Bear Dunes area community services, arts and culture, or K-12 education in Leelanau County is likely to resonate. California connections (arts, environment, community) are secondary.