The Ab Nicholas Scholarship Foundation is a private foundation based in Mequon, Wisconsin, established in 2012. The foundation was created by Albert Nicholas, founder of the Nicholas Company, Inc., a Milwaukee-based investment advisory firm that manages the Nicholas mutual funds. The foundation was established with a $50 million endowment to support higher education access for Wisconsin students.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$3.4M
+5.3% YoY
Grant Count
420
+5.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
+0.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Ab Nicholas Scholarship Foundation seeks to make a college degree affordable for Wisconsin high school students who participate as players or managers in their school's basketball program. The foundation provides need-based scholarships that are renewable annually for students pursuing degrees at University of Wisconsin System schools.
Grantmaking
Scholarships are available for all University of Wisconsin System schools, including UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay, UW-La Crosse, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Parkside, UW-Platteville, UW-River Falls, UW-Stevens Point, UW-Stout, UW-Superior, UW-Whitewater, and their respective branch campuses.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Wisconsin. The foundation exclusively funds students attending University of Wisconsin System schools.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending September 2024:
- Total assets: $57,564,782
- Total revenue: $2,886,438
- Total expenses: $3,609,439
- Total liabilities: $15,000
- Investment income and dividends: $961,085
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $1,719,515
- Miscellaneous revenues: $205,838
Staffing:
- 1 employee (as of 2024)
Tax Status:
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
- Tax-exempt since September 2012
- EIN: 46-6194488
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Ab Nicholas Scholarship Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Ashton Buckner ($15,000), Abbi Olson ($10,000), Abbigayle Spencer ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AADEN JENSEN SHELL LAKE, WI | UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - PLATTEVILLE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP | $5,000 |
| ABBI OLSON COLUMBUS, WI | UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - OSHKOSH COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP | $10,000 |
| ABBI SITTE SISTER BAY, WI | UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - MILWAUKEE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP | $5,000 |
| ABBIGAIL CAMPION JANESVILLE, WI | UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - STEVENS POINT COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP | $5,000 |
| ABBIGAYLE SPENCER HILLPOINT, WI | UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - LA CROSSE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP | $10,000 |
| ABRIANA BROWN BUTTERNUT, WI | UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - MADISON COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP | $10,000 |
| ADAM LOENSER CLEAR LAKE, WI | UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - LA CROSSE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP | $10,000 |
| ADAM SCHAEFER MUSCODA, WI | UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - MADISON COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP | $10,000 |
| ADELAIDE LILLA GREEN, WI | UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - MADISON COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP | $5,000 |
| ALAYNA CULVER READSTOWN, WI | UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - OSHKOSH COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Albert Nicholas, founder of the Nicholas Company, Inc., established the foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LYNN S NICHOLAS | TRUSTEE | 20 | $120,000 |
| DAVID O NICHOLAS | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| SUSAN NICHOLAS FASCIANO | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| NANCY J NICHOLAS | TRUSTEE | — | — |
Contact Information
Address: 10309 N. River Road Mequon, WI 53092
Phone: 262-242-3040
Email: info@abnicholasscholars.org
Website: abnicholasscholars.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ab Nicholas Scholarship Foundation fund?
The Ab Nicholas Scholarship Foundation seeks to make a college degree affordable for Wisconsin high school students who participate as players or managers in their school's basketball program. The foundation provides need-based scholarships that are renewable annually for students pursuing degrees at University of Wisconsin System schools.
How do I apply for a grant from Ab Nicholas Scholarship Foundation?
**Scholarship Structure:** • Annual award: $10,000 per year for students in four-year programs • Total potential award: $40,000 over four years (renewable annually with maintenance of cumulative GPA above 2.0) • Typical award range: $2,500–$15,000 • Total annual giving: $3,415,000 (2024) **Eligibility Requirements:** • Must be a Wisconsin high school senior • Must participate in high school basketball program as either a player or manager • Must demonstrate financial need (determined through FA…
Where does Ab Nicholas Scholarship Foundation make grants?
Wisconsin. The foundation exclusively funds students attending University of Wisconsin System schools.
What size grants does Ab Nicholas Scholarship Foundation award?
In 2024, Ab Nicholas Scholarship Foundation awarded 420 grants totaling $3.4M — an average of about $8K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Ab Nicholas Scholarship Foundation's EIN?
Ab Nicholas Scholarship Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-6194488. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ab Nicholas Scholarship Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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