Tresemer Foundation Inc.

Tresemer Foundation Inc. is a private family foundation established in Guilford, Connecticut, with IRS ruling in August 1999 and a July fiscal year end. The foundation operates from a private residence (365 Moose Hill Rd, Guilford, CT) with no active public-facing website — the domain tresemer.org is currently reserved via STRATO hosting with no content. The Tresemer family is associated with alternative/holistic education and Waldorf/anthroposophical communities; the surname Tresemer is linked to David Tresemer, a Colorado-based author and educator in anthroposophy and Waldorf education. This suggests the foundation may support arts, education, or spiritually-oriented community organizations aligned with these values, though this cannot be confirmed from public records alone. With NTEE code T21 (Corporate Foundation), the foundation is classified among corporate-origin foundations, though it appears to function as an independent family foundation. No staff are compensated, and the operation appears entirely volunteer/family-run. Grantmaking decisions are made internally without a public application process.

Tresemer Foundation Inc. maintains a consistent annual grantmaking pattern with a July fiscal year end. Historical distributions by year: - FY2022 (ending Jul 2023): $135,000 in grants; total assets $1,948,829 - FY2021 (ending Jul 2022): $130,000 in grants; total assets $2,136,986 - FY2020 (ending Jul 2021): $97,000 in grants; total assets $2,153,422 - FY2019 (ending Jul 2020): $97,000 in grants; total assets $2,111,992 - FY2018 (ending Jul 2019): $105,000 in grants; total assets $2,154,478 - FY2014 (ending Jul 2015): $129,000 in grants; total assets $2,316,542 - FY2013: $115,000 in grants; total assets $2,340,068 - FY2012: $114,000 in grants; total assets $2,360,010 - FY2010: $123,292 in grants; total assets $2,349,339

Average annual grantmaking: approximately $112,000 over the documented period. The portfolio includes government obligations ($608K), corporate stocks ($1.27M), and corporate bonds ($35K), totaling ~$1.9M in securities. Investment income from dividends averages ~$50,000/year. In FY2022, unrealized losses of $80,722 reduced total revenue to -$28,209 despite actual dividend income of $52,438. Individual grant sizes are not disclosed but likely range from $10,000-$50,000 based on total annual distributions.

Tresemer Foundation Inc. is a mid-range small private foundation in Connecticut, which has one of the highest concentrations of private foundations per capita in the US:

Tresemer Foundation falls in the typical small CT family foundation tier. Its consistent $100K+ annual grantmaking despite relatively modest assets suggests the foundation is meeting or exceeding minimum distribution requirements. The Waldorf/anthroposophical connection (if confirmed) would align it with a small national network of foundations supporting alternative education and arts.

As of the most recent IRS data (FY2022, filed April 2024), Tresemer Foundation Inc. remains an active private foundation in good standing with the IRS (exempt organization status code 1). Key indicators: - Most recent assets: $1,948,829 (as of July 2023) - FY2022 grants distributed: $135,000 (highest in recent years) - Minimum required distribution: $119,191 (met) - Undistributed income noted: $115,984 (indicates distributions may increase in coming year) - Investment portfolio: ~$1.9M primarily in equities and government bonds - Website (tresemer.org) currently parked via STRATO hosting with no content as of March 2026 - No LinkedIn, social media, or news coverage found in public sources The foundation has operated continuously since 1999 with annual 990-PF filings, showing no gap years or status changes. The recent increase in grantmaking ($135K in FY2022 vs. $97K in FY2019-2020) suggests expanded philanthropic activity or a strategic decision to increase distributions.

Tresemer Foundation does not maintain a public website or visible application process, making unsolicited outreach challenging. The following strategies are recommended for organizations that believe they align with the foundation's interests: 1. Research the Tresemer family connection: David Tresemer is a known figure in Waldorf education, anthroposophy, and holistic arts. Organizations working in Waldorf education, arts-integrated education, anthroposophical medicine/health, or related spiritual/community programs may have the strongest alignment. 2. Contact by mail: The foundation address is 365 Moose Hill Rd, Guilford, CT 06437. A brief, compelling letter of inquiry is the most appropriate first contact. Address to "The Tresemer Foundation." 3. Connecticut and New England focus: Given the Guilford, CT base, organizations in Connecticut and New England are likely priority grantees. 4. Right-size your ask: With annual distributions of $97K-$135K, individual grants likely range from $10,000-$50,000. Match your request accordingly. 5. Highlight alignment with values: Given potential anthroposophical/Waldorf connections, emphasize holistic approaches, arts integration, sustainability, and human development in your proposal framing. 6. No urgency — build relationship: This is a private family foundation with no open cycle. Relationship-building through community networks (Waldorf schools, arts organizations, CT nonprofit sector) is the most reliable path to funding consideration.