The Kestrel Foundation
The Kestrel Foundation is a private foundation established in 1998, based in Florham Park, New Jersey. The foundation is also known as the Armstrong-Nickoll Family Foundation or Armstrong Nickoll Family Foundation. It operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with no employees and focuses on general unrestricted grantmaking to qualified organizations.
Key facts about The Kestrel Foundation
- EIN
- 13-4007198
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $967,100
- Grants made (2024)
- 56
- Average grant
- $17,270
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $13,670,245
- Primary geography
- Virginia (69% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026.
Who The Kestrel Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Kestrel Foundation's 56 itemized 2024 grants were Virginia (69%), Connecticut (19%) and New York (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (14 grants), Washington Depot, CT (7 grants), Washington, CT (4 grants) and Kent, CT (3 grants). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$13.7M
-1.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$967K
+150.0% YoY
Grant Count
56
-8.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
+172.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Kestrel Foundation reported a distributable amount of $669K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Kestrel Foundation primarily funds general unrestricted grants to organizations across multiple sectors. Based on recent grantmaking activity, the foundation supports organizations working in education, human services, and international humanitarian causes.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 58 grants in 2023, with a total giving amount of $967,100. Recent grants include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on Connecticut, New York, and the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 56 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 31, 2023:
- Total Assets: $13,855,671
- Total Revenues: $240,888
- Total Expenses: $798,654
- Investment Income and Dividends: $153,060
- Total Grants, Contributions, etc.: $0
As of 2024 (most recent IRS 990 filing):
- Total Assets: $13,670,245
- Total Giving: $967,100
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $13,670,245 | $13,855,671 | $13,759,493 |
| Revenue | $807,876 | $240,888 | $83,595 |
| Expenses | $1,099,614 | $798,654 | $731,737 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $980,818 | $407,739 | $530,506 |
| Net Investment Income | $672,447 | $124,780 | $461,616 |
| Distributable Amount | $668,675 | $640,409 | $649,687 |
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
316 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Cloudbreak Inc ($665,000), Northwest Ct Land Concervancy ($42,000), Doctors Without Borders ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CLOUDBREAK INC MCLEAN, VA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $665,000 |
| NORTHWEST CT LAND CONCERVANCY KENT, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $42,000 |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| UNHCR WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| STEEP ROCK ASSOCIATION WASHINGTON DEPOT, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| WASHINGTON PARK FOUNDATION WASHINGTON DEPOT, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $12,000 |
| AFTER SCHOOL ARTS PROGRAM WASHINGTON DEPOT, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| FRIENDLY HANDS TORRINGTON, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| GREENWOODS COUNSELING LITCHFIELD, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BENJAMIN E NICKOLL | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| CHRISTINE M ARMSTRONG | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Kestrel Foundation fund?
The Kestrel Foundation primarily funds general unrestricted grants to organizations across multiple sectors. Based on recent grantmaking activity, the foundation supports organizations working in education, human services, and international humanitarian causes.
How do I apply for a grant from The Kestrel Foundation?
The foundation made 58 grants in 2023, with a total giving amount of $967,100. Recent grants include: • Brown University: $25,000 (General Support) • Doctors without Borders USA: $20,000 (General Support) • USA for UNHCR (United States Association for United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees): $20,000 (General Support) Typical grant awards range from $100 to $665,000. The foundation provides general support and unrestricted gifts to grantees.
Where does The Kestrel Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on Connecticut, New York, and the District of Columbia.
What size grants does The Kestrel Foundation award?
In 2024, The Kestrel Foundation awarded 56 grants totaling $967K — an average of about $17K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Kestrel Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Kestrel Foundation reported a distributable amount of $669K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Kestrel Foundation's EIN?
The Kestrel Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-4007198. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Kestrel 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.