Trestle - Get Funded

Professional Growth & Business Development

Online

Trestle is a funding strategy consultancy built on the belief that great work too often goes underfunded - not because it lacks merit, but because traditional systems reward familiarity over vision. Founded by Kat Dean, Trestle bridges that gap for founders, organizers, and creators who’ve been steered toward the wrong doors for too long. Our work spans nonprofits, for-profits, and film, always beginning from the same place: relationships first. We embed ourselves in the work of mission-driven clients, learn the language of their communities, and design funding infrastructure that mirrors their values, not just their spreadsheets. At its core, Trestle exists to move capital toward the people and projects changing culture from the ground up. Kat brings a rare cross-sector fluency built from years raising funds for diverse-founded organizations and navigating both philanthropic and private investment landscapes. Her insight into the structural barriers facing queer founders and community organizations has shaped Trestle’s mission: to turn those barriers into leverage. Where conventional funders see risk, Trestle sees opportunity. We help clients pitch smarter, move faster, and access the capital routes that have always been there - just not on the standard map. Trestle is more than a consultancy; it’s a growing network of strategists driven by equity, creativity, and integrity. Because getting funded should never mean becoming someone you’re not.