Esther N Nielsen Foundation
Esther N Nielsen Foundation is a private foundation, based in Eagan, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.5M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $82K. Net investment income was $161K.
Esther N Nielsen Foundation at a glance
In short: Esther N Nielsen Foundation gave $82K across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $16K), top state North Dakota. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $82,495
- +8.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 5
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $16,499
- +8.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $16,499
- Total assets
- $1,537,634
- +5.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- North Dakota (40% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Esther N Nielsen Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was American Heart Association ($16K). Together the top 5 received $82K.
Grant Size Distribution
25 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 25 grants of 25 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How Esther N Nielsen Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−9%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 97% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $76K (2024) to $91K (2022). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $82K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Heart Association St Petersburg, FL | General Operating | $16,499 |
| Churches United for the Homeless Moorhead, MN | General Operating | $16,499 |
| Homeward Animal Shelter Inc Fargo, ND | General Operating | $16,499 |
| Sanford Health Foundation North Fargo, ND | General Operating | $16,499 |
| The Salvation Army Hoffman Estates, IL | General Operating | $16,499 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,537,634 | $191,810 | $117,301 | $82,495 | 5 | $87,057 | $161,107 | $89,598 |
| 2024 | $1,463,682 | $80,712 | $107,327 | $75,955 | 5 | $80,418 | $54,492 | $86,958 |
| 2023 | $1,490,792 | $44,752 | $110,732 | $81,015 | 5 | $85,237 | $28,864 | $80,175 |
| 2022 | $1,557,412 | $22,538 | $124,954 | $90,610 | 5 | $94,890 | $21,454 | $85,294 |
| 2021 | $1,670,927 | $184,659 | $110,011 | $78,150 | 5 | $82,646 | $156,776 | $95,107 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Esther N Nielsen Foundation reported a distributable amount of $90K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Esther N Nielsen Foundation's only listed officer is US Bank N A, Trustee on filings since 2021 (compensated).
Officers on the 2025 filing
US Bank N A
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$28K (2021) → $29K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: US Bank NA (2023) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $29K, to US Bank N a (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Esther N Nielsen Foundation
How much does Esther N Nielsen Foundation give each year?
Esther N Nielsen Foundation gave $82K across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $76K across 5 grants.
What is Esther N Nielsen Foundation's typical grant size?
Esther N Nielsen Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $16,499, and its average grant was $16,499, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Esther N Nielsen Foundation give grants?
Esther N Nielsen Foundation's top state is North Dakota, with 40% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Florida (20%) and Minnesota (20%). The most frequent recipient cities were Fargo, ND (2 grants).
Does Esther N Nielsen Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Esther N Nielsen Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Esther N Nielsen Foundation's largest grantees?
Esther N Nielsen Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include American Heart Association ($16,499), Churches United for the Homeless ($16,499) and Homeward Animal Shelter Inc ($16,499), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 60% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Esther N Nielsen Foundation?
Esther N Nielsen Foundation reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $87K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $90K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is Esther N Nielsen Foundation's EIN?
Esther N Nielsen Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 32-6537290. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 5, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Live grants for the work Esther N Nielsen Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Esther N Nielsen Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Esther N Nielsen Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?