Esther N Nielsen Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker Milwaukee, WI EIN: 32-6537290

Esther N Nielsen Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Milwaukee, WI. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $76K. Net investment income was $54K.

Key facts about Esther N Nielsen Foundation

EIN: 32-6537290
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $75,955
Grants made (2024): 5
Average grant: $15,191
Median grant: $15,191
Total assets: $1,463,682
Primary geography: North Dakota (40% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Who Esther N Nielsen Foundation funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Esther N Nielsen Foundation's 5 itemized 2024 grants were North Dakota (40%), Florida (20%) and Virginia (20%). The most frequent recipient cities were Fargo, ND (2 grants). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.

How Esther N Nielsen Foundation gives

Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−3%). Method
In 2024 it paid out 92% 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.

Next steps with Esther N Nielsen Foundation

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Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$1.5M

-1.8% YoY

Annual Giving

$76K

-6.2% YoY

Grant Count

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$15K

-6.2% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Esther N Nielsen Foundation reported a distributable amount of $87K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

About Esther N Nielsen Foundation

Based on IRS filings

Focus Areas

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

North Dakota $30K (40%)

Florida $15K (20%)

Virginia $15K (20%)

Minnesota $15K (20%)

Share of all 5 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

Florida Illinois Minnesota North Dakota Virginia

Cities

FargoMoorheadSt PetersburgHoffman EstatesAlexandria

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$1,463,682	$1,490,792	$1,557,412
Revenue	$80,712	$44,752	$22,538
Expenses	$107,327	$110,732	$124,954
Qualifying Distributions	$80,418	$85,237	$94,890
Net Investment Income	$54,492	$28,864	$21,454
Distributable Amount	$86,958	$80,175	$85,294

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

March 2, 2026 IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 5 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

20 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include American Heart Association ($15,191), Salvation Army National Corp ($15,191), Churches United for the Homeless ($15,191).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION St Petersburg, FL	GENERAL OPERATING	$15,191
SALVATION ARMY NATIONAL CORP Alexandria, VA	GENERAL OPERATING	$15,191
CHURCHES UNITED FOR THE HOMELESS Moorhead, MN	GENERAL OPERATING	$15,191
HOMEWARD ANIMAL SHELTER INC Fargo, ND	GENERAL OPERATING	$15,191
SANFORD HEALTH FOUNDATION NORTH Fargo, ND	GENERAL OPERATING	$15,191

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
US Bank N a	Trustee	1	$28,134

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Esther N Nielsen Foundation?

Esther N Nielsen Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Milwaukee, WI. It holds $1.5M in total assets as of 2024.

How large is Esther N Nielsen Foundation?

As of 2024, Esther N Nielsen Foundation holds $1.5M in total assets with $81K in annual revenue. It awarded 5 grants totaling $76K in 2024.

Where does Esther N Nielsen Foundation operate?

Esther N Nielsen Foundation has awarded grants in Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota, Virginia.

What size grants does Esther N Nielsen Foundation award?

In 2024, Esther N Nielsen Foundation awarded 5 grants totaling $76K — an average of about $15K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Esther N Nielsen Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Esther N Nielsen Foundation reported a distributable amount of $87K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.