Nicholson Foundation Inc
Nicholson Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Nashville, Tennessee. Its 2023 IRS filing is marked as a final return: the foundation reported distributing all its remaining assets to qualified charities, said it would cease to exist, and appears to have wound down.
Nicholson Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Nicholson Foundation Inc gave $166K across 22 grants in 2023 (avg $8K), mostly in Tennessee. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $165,954
- +420.1% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 22
- +2100.0% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $7,543
- -76.4% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $200
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (99% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Nicholson Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation stated that it contributed only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. It filed a final return for 2023 and said it would cease to exist.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2117 32Nd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212-4042
Phone: (615) 481-2554
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Nicholson Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Community Foundation Middle TN ($149K). Together the top 10 received $165K.
Grant Size Distribution
25 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 24 grants of 25 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2023 grant dollars were reported as 99% to Tennessee recipients, 1% to California recipients, and less than 1% to Indiana recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Nicholson Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 405% from 2020 to 2023. Method
- In 2023 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2020 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $32K (2022) to $166K (2023). In 2023 it made 22 grants totaling $166K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Foundation Middle TN Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $149,239 |
| First Presbyterian Church Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $11,200 |
| Stanford University Stanford, CA | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $2,100 |
| Gordon Jewish Community Center Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $560 |
| Sweet Sleep Inc Brentwood, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $500 |
| Boy Scouts of Middle TN Council Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $300 |
| Harpeth Hall School Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $250 |
| Alive Hospice Nashville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $200 |
| Camp Nacome Centerville, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $200 |
| Etsu Foundation Johnson City, TN | To further one or more of the exempt purposes of the charity | $200 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation reported $0 in assets at the end of 2023.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | $3,984 | $169,340 | $165,954 | 22 | $167,636 | $5,632 | $6,701 |
| 2022 | $174,582 | $2,035 | $33,870 | $31,910 | 1 | — | — | — |
| 2021 | $210,703 | $15,659 | $34,480 | $32,535 | 1 | — | — | — |
| 2020 | $229,524 | $-11,535 | $32,895 | $32,875 | 1 | — | — | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Nicholson Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $7K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2023 grants went to organizations including a community foundation, a church, a university, schools, a hospice, a food bank, and other charities. The grantees’ own descriptions include the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s work bringing donors, nonprofit partners, and community members together to address needs in Nashville and Middle Tennessee; Sweet Sleep Inc.’s work to empower women to break cycles of economic and spiritual poverty; and Harpeth Hall School’s college-preparatory education for girls and young women.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation made 22 grants totaling $165,954. Grant amounts ranged from $50 to $149,239, with a median of $200. The largest grants were $149,239 to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, $11,200 to First Presbyterian Church, and $2,100 to Stanford University. Other listed recipients included Gordon Jewish Community Center ($560), Sweet Sleep Inc. ($500), and the Boy Scouts of Middle Tennessee Council ($300). The filing describes the purposes of the listed grants as furthering one or more of each charity’s exempt purposes.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists Alexander M. Nicholson Jr. as president and Laurie M. Nicholson as secretary.
Nicholson Foundation Inc is led by Alexander M. Nicholson Jr., President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Alexander M. Nicholson Jr.
President
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laurie M. Nicholson
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Nicholson Foundation Inc
How much does Nicholson Foundation Inc give each year?
Nicholson Foundation Inc gave $166K across 22 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $32K across 1 grant.
What is Nicholson Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Nicholson Foundation Inc's median grant in 2023 was $200, and its average grant was $7,543, across 22 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Nicholson Foundation Inc give grants?
Nicholson Foundation Inc gives mostly in Tennessee: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Nashville, TN (16 grants).
Who are Nicholson Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Nicholson Foundation Inc's largest 2023 grantees include Community Foundation Middle TN ($149,239), First Presbyterian Church ($11,200) and Stanford University ($2,100), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 98% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
What does Nicholson Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2023 grants went to organizations including a community foundation, a church, a university, schools, a hospice, a food bank, and other charities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Nicholson Foundation Inc?
The foundation stated that it contributed only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is Nicholson Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, Nicholson Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $7K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Nicholson Foundation Inc's EIN?
Nicholson Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-1685784. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Does Nicholson Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
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Figures come from Nicholson Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Nicholson Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?