Nicholas Family Foundation Trust
The Nicholas Family Foundation Trust is a private philanthropic foundation based in Mequon, Wisconsin. Established in 1993, the organization operates as a 501(c)(3) entity dedicated to supporting a diverse range of charitable causes across multiple states.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$3.4M
-0.6% YoY
Grant Count
49
-2.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$68K
+1.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's grantmaking priorities encompass:
- People with disabilities and vision impairments
- Arts and culture, including performing arts and theater
- Historical preservation and historical activities
- Education and philanthropy
- Health care, including in-patient medical care, hospital care, and specialty hospital services
- Human services, including family services, child welfare, and youth development
The foundation gives primarily for children and social services, with additional support directed toward children's hospitals.
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects across multiple states including:
- Wisconsin (primary focus)
- California
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Oregon
Specific cities supported include Los Angeles, Milwaukee, and Madison.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Total Assets: Approximately $50.3 million
Annual Revenues: Approximately $3.2 million
Annual Expenses: Approximately $3.5 million
Staffing: 1 employee
| 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
248 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Rockford Park District Foundation ($500,000), Children's Hospoital of Wi Foundation ($400,000), Macc Fund ($237,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALS ASSOCIATION SE WI CHAPTER WAUWATOSA, WI | BOUGHT TABLE AT BALL. DEDICATED TO FIGHT AGAINST ALS THROUGH RESEARCH, PATIENT SUPPORT AND INFORMATION AWARENESS. | $75,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS GREATER MILW CHAPTER MILWAUKEE, WI | ANNUAL CAMPAIGN. TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO VICTIJS OF DISASTERS AND HELP PEOPLE PREVENT, PREPARE FOR AND RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES. | $50,000 |
| BALANCE INC GRAFTON, WI | ANNUAL CAMPAIGN. DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. | $25,000 |
| BIRCH CREEK MUSIC PERFORMANCE CENTER INC EGG HARBOR, WI | ANNUAL CAMPAIGN. SUMMER MUSIC ACADEMY IN DOOR CTY WI FOR ADVANCED YOUNG MUSICANS. | $20,000 |
| BRIDGE TO BRIGHTER ELM GROVE, WI | ANNUAL CAMPAIGN. PROVIDES VITAL SERVICES TO SUPPORT AND STRENGTHEN YOUTH IN AND AGING OUT OF THE FOSTER SYSTEM IN MILWAUKEE. | $10,000 |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPOITAL OF WI FOUNDATION MILWAUKEE, WI | ANNUAL CAMPAIGN. ADVANCE THE WORK OF PEDIATRIC PATIENT CARE, REASEARCH AND TEACHING. | $400,000 |
| DELTA GAMMA FOUNDATION - OMEGA HOUSE CORPORATION COLUMBUS, GA | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN. PROMOTE EDUCATION, NUTURE MEANINGFUL FRIENDSHIPS AND BUILD WOMEN WITH STRONG IDEALS. | $50,000 |
| ELMBROOK HUMANE SOCIETY BROOKFIELD, WI | ANNUAL CAMPAIGN. TO PROVIDE SHELTER FOR HOMELESS ANIMALS, PROMOTE THE HUMAN ANIMAL BOND AND PREVENT ANIMAL CRUELTY AND NEGLECT. | $25,000 |
| EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION CULVER CITY, CA | ANNUAL CAMPAIGN. OFFERS SPECIALIZED EDUCATIONAL AND THERAPEUTIC PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO CHILDREN, YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS CHALLENGED BY LEARNING, DEVELOPMENTAL, EMOTIONAL OR MEDICAL DISABILITIES. | $25,000 |
| FAMILY PROMISE OF OZAUKEE COUNTY PORT WASHINGTON, WI | ANNUAL CAMPAIGN - TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY SHELTER, MEALS & EXPERT MGMT TO HOMELESS CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Lynn S. Nicholas serves as President and Trustee, with compensation of $120,000 for 25 hours of work per week.
Other Trustees:
- Nancy J. Nicholas
- Susan N. Fasciano
- David O. Nicholas
(These trustees serve without compensation.)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NANCY J NICHOLAS | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| LYNN S NICHOLAS | PRESIDENT - TRUSTEE | 25 | $120,000 |
| SUSAN N FASCIANO | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| DAVID O NICHOLAS | TRUSTEE | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Nicholas Family Foundation donated $1.5 million to Children's Wisconsin, demonstrating the foundation's ongoing commitment to pediatric health care and research initiatives.
Bobby Nichols-Fiddlesticks Charity Foundation presents more than $1.5 millionFrequently Asked Questions
What does Nicholas Family Foundation Trust fund?
The foundation's grantmaking priorities encompass: • **People with disabilities and vision impairments** • **Arts and culture**, including performing arts and theater • **Historical preservation and historical activities** • **Education and philanthropy** • **Health care**, including in-patient medical care, hospital care, and specialty hospital services • **Human services**, including family services, child welfare, and youth development The foundation gives primarily for children and social s…
How do I apply for a grant from Nicholas Family Foundation Trust?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $10,000 to $500,000. **Annual Giving:** The foundation distributed approximately $1.9 million in grants based on recent filings. **Recent Grant Activity:** Notable recent grants include: • $500,000 to Children's Wisconsin/Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Foundation for pediatric patient care, research, and teaching • $400,000 to UWM Foundation for supporting UW Milwaukee students, faculty, and community programs • $400,000 to Rogers Behavioral Health…
Where does Nicholas Family Foundation Trust make grants?
The foundation funds projects across multiple states including: • Wisconsin (primary focus) • California • Colorado • Georgia • Illinois • Oregon Specific cities supported include Los Angeles, Milwaukee, and Madison.
What size grants does Nicholas Family Foundation Trust award?
In 2024, Nicholas Family Foundation Trust awarded 49 grants totaling $3.4M — an average of about $68K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Nicholas Family Foundation Trust's EIN?
Nicholas Family Foundation Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-6589261. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Nicholas Family Foundation Trust'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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