Round Rock, Texas – Trellis Company (formerly TG), a Texas-based nonprofit and leader in student debt administration and repayment, announced today the creation of the Trellis Foundation – an independent public charity and grantmaking organization.
Trellis Foundation will support efforts to assist low- and moderate-income students to increase their ability to access, afford, and complete a postsecondary education.
As TG, from 2006 to 2016, the company awarded more than $400 million through its philanthropic program. This includes nearly $50 million in competitive grants in support of 395 projects nationwide to increase college access and completion. The company also provided $32 million in scholarship support to students through the Charley Wootan Grant Program, and $323 million to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to support the TEXAS Grant Program, T-STEM Scholarship Program, and the Permanent Fund Supporting Military and Veterans Exemptions. Trellis Foundation will continue to expand on this well-established legacy of commitment and dedication to student success.
“I’m proud that we are in a position to establish and fund the Trellis Foundation,” acknowledged Renard Johnson, Interim President and CEO for Trellis Company. “Our organization has a long history of helping those in most need. I expect big things from the Trellis Foundation. The Foundation has the right leadership and mission to make a significant difference in the lives of many students.”
The Foundation’s Board of Directors includes a group of prominent Texas-based education and business leaders including Richard Rhodes, PH.D., President, Austin Community College; Dora Ann Verde, certified public accountant and former Chief of Internal Audit, San Antonio Water System; and Welcome W. Wilson, Jr., President and CEO, Welcome Group, LLC.
“The Trellis Foundation will build on a tremendous legacy of informing and supporting efforts surrounding higher education attainment,” stated Richard Rhodes, Board Chair. “We recognize the inherent value in focusing on postsecondary opportunities and helping students succeed and graduate. Education is fundamental to our future and to the quality of lives of the students, their families, our communities, and our state.”
Kristin Boyer, Director of Philanthropy at Trellis Company for the past five years, has accepted the position of Executive Director of Trellis Foundation. Boyer will oversee the administration, grantmaking programs, and strategic focus of the Foundation. “Increasing postsecondary attainment is essential to the state’s prosperity and to maximizing the potential of students and families. I welcome the opportunity to contribute to these efforts and am honored to be part of Trellis Foundation.”
For more information regarding Trellis Foundation’s priorities and how to collaborate, visit www.trellisfoundation.org.
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About Trellis Company
Trellis Company, formerly TG, is a nonprofit corporation providing outsourcing services to help organizations deliver a higher level of support and education to their customers. We do this in a variety of ways, such as customer service, financial education and coaching, and account collections. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we’re committed to investing in the greater good. We fund programs designed to help more people attend college and attain their degrees or certificates with less student loan debt.