Trellis, a nonprofit organization focused on the well-being of older adults and located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, seeks members for its board of directors.
Applications will be accepted through November 10, 2025.
Trellis board members serve for three-year terms and may serve up to nine years. The time commitment is approximately two-to-four hours per month. Meetings are generally held in person with a virtual option. Due to conflict-of-interest Trellis does not elect individuals to its board who are employed by grantees or contractors under our Title III Older Americans Act funding program. Trellis employs about 80 people and operates with an annual budget of $21 million.
To inquire or apply
We welcome questions or conversations before applying. Contact Dawn Simonson, President and CEO, at dsimonson@trellisconnects.org or Alison Colton, Board Governance and Nominations Chair at aecolton77@gmail.com.
To be considered for board service, please complete our online application or download a printable application [PDF, 107.05 KB].
Our organization
The mission of Trellis is to assist individuals to age well and develop the capacity of communities to care for an aging population. Trellis provides services, connections and innovations to help people thrive as they age.
Through partnerships with community organizations and healthcare organizations, we work to bridge social care and medical care to produce more positive outcomes for individuals and communities.
Our commitment to equity
Trellis believes that inequities in aging are the byproduct of a lifetime of discrimination, non-inclusive policies and a lack of responsive systems. The consequences of these inequities are experienced by older adults and caregivers with diverse identities. Trellis staff and our community partners are actively working to design equitable policies and services that respond to the unique needs of underserved communities with culturally relevant solutions. We are committed to fostering inclusive environments for the communities we serve, community partners and Trellis staff.
Major programs
Area Agency on Aging
Trellis is designated by the Minnesota Board on Aging to serve individuals and organizations in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties. In this role, Trellis administers the federal Older Americans Act funding and advocacy programs, providing services to 30,000 older adults and family caregivers every year.
Juniper
In partnership with dozens of health and social care providers, Trellis delivers evidence-based health promotion programs to more than 3,000 people annually across Minnesota. The programs help people prevent falls, manage chronic conditions and get fit. Trellis is one of 58 emerging community care hubs in the nation.
Minnesota Aging Pathways
As a provider for the State of Minnesota’s information and assistance service, Trellis responds each year to 35,000 callers and helps them connect with community services, housing options and Medicare plans that best meet their needs.
Ideal candidates and board opportunities
Board members are committed to the mission, vision and values of Trellis, and provide perspectives from their personal and professional backgrounds to advance our work. Visit trellisconnects.org/about to see current board members. Several board members will meet term limits in the next few years, and we are working to maintain continuity and growth through planned transitions.
Trellis has a particular interest in candidates who bring experience in fundraising, equity and inclusion, health care, financial management and strategy, and business development, as well as those who bring lived experiences related to the issues addressed by Trellis. We generally, but not exclusively, seek applicants from the Twin Cities area, namely those who reside or work in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties.
Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and change
Trellis is committed to racial and cultural diversity to ensure that all aspects of our work are inclusive. We strongly encourage individuals who are Native, other minority or LGBTQ+ to apply to help us increase access to services that meet diverse needs and preferences.
Board member responsibilities
The board of Trellis is dedicated to effective governance with accountability in four areas:
- Leadership
- Oversight and accountability
- Organizational ambassadorship
- Executive support and oversight
Board members work to build a strong board culture, contribute to the effectiveness of the board and financially support the organization. Each member serves on at least one standing committee. Current committees include:
- Audit and Finance Committee
- Development Committee
- Governance Committee
- Title III Planning Committee (funding policy and process)
Interested in learning more?
Contact Dawn Simonson, President & CEO at dsimonson@trellisconnects.org or Alison Colton, Board Governance and Nominations Chair at aecolton77@gmail.com.
