The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc
The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc is a private foundation based in New York, NY. Its filing describes a foundation that does not limit giving to preselected organizations, and its grants support organizations working in areas including education, journalism, and community programs.
The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc at a glance
In short: The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc gave $592K across 36 grants in 2025 (avg $16K), top state New York. 42% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $591,814
- -6.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 36
- +5.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $16,439
- -11.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $10,234,801
- -1.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 42% first-time grantees (15 of 36, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (47% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s filing instructs applicants to contact Brown Advisory and submit an application in business-letter form disclosing all pertinent facts about the request. The filing says awards have no restrictions or limitations based on geographic area, charitable field, kind of institution, or other factors. For the Education Committee, the foundation’s program information requires a letter of intent from first-time applicants; applications are accepted online between November 1 and March 31, and letters of intent are accepted year-round. For the Journalism Committee, new applicants must submit a letter of intent, with the stated acceptance period running November 1 through February 1.
- Review Cycle
- The filing gives March 31 as the application deadline. The program information gives November 1–March 31 for Education Committee applications and November 1–February 1 for Journalism Committee letters of intent.
- Deadline
- The filing gives March 31 as the application deadline.
- Next open deadline
- February 1, 2027 (NBO Foundation - Community Impact Fund Grants)
- Contact
Application contact: Brown Advisory
Mailing address: 12 East 49Th Street 35Th Floor, New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 871-8569
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc
NBO Foundation - Community Impact Fund Grants
The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc
Amount
US $3,000 - US $20,000
Deadline
February 1, 2027
Listed date — confirm with the funder
NBO Foundation - Education Committee Grants
The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
NBO Foundation: Journalism Committee Grants
The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Avid Escondido ($39K). Together the top 10 received $243K.
Grant Size Distribution
166 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 163 grants of 166 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant dollars were distributed across recipient states, with 47% going to New York, 29% to California, 7% to Massachusetts, 5% to Florida, and 4% to New Jersey. The Education Committee program information notes a preference for projects providing ongoing student support after graduation, particularly in San Diego County and the New York metropolitan area. The Journalism Committee prioritizes local projects in communities where committee members reside.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 36 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc open to new grantees?
42%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 15 of 36 grantees (42%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $19K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 53% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−14%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 108% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $592K (2025) to $685K (2022). In 2025 it made 36 grants totaling $592K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Avid Escondido Escondido, CA | Program Support | $38,814 |
| Urban Arts Bronxville, NY | Program Support | $25,000 |
| LATINO U COLLEGE ACCESS Inc (LUCA) White Plains, NY | Program Support | $25,000 |
| Open Vallejo Vallejo, CA | Program Support | $25,000 |
| New Bedford Light New Bedford, MA | Program Support | $25,000 |
| Stonewall Inn Gives Back New York, NY | General Support | $24,000 |
| Marco Patriots Inc Marco Island, FL | General Support | $20,000 |
| Kid NUZ Alamo, CA | General Support | $20,000 |
| Fostering Media Connections Los Angeles, CA | General Support | $20,000 |
| Goddard Riverside Comm Center New York City, NY | Program Support | $20,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc?
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 | $10,234,801 | $490,474 | $673,803 | $591,814 | 36 | $595,272 | $367,275 | $549,294 |
| 2024 | $10,398,082 | $642,188 | $701,410 | $634,100 | 34 | $637,226 | $557,485 | $520,776 |
| 2023 | $10,501,971 | $275,811 | $716,204 | $643,460 | 32 | $646,015 | $209,908 | $527,092 |
| 2022 | $11,106,143 | $1,363,443 | $786,524 | $685,462 | 33 | $692,304 | $857,685 | $617,231 |
| 2021 | $10,227,573 | $737,114 | $814,613 | $651,500 | 31 | — | $457,755 | $579,969 |
| 2020 | $10,545,483 | $666,408 | $814,456 | $669,000 | 34 | — | $602,352 | $501,818 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc reported a distributable amount of $549K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation describes its commitment as improving communities and impacting lives. Its Education Committee grants support initiatives such as tutoring, college preparation, and internships. Its Journalism Committee supports journalism programs and projects, including investigative journalism, journalism schools, and initiatives protecting journalists in danger. The Community Impact Fund is identified as a committee, but no further details about its grantmaking are provided here.
The grantees’ missions illustrate the range of work supported. New Bedford Light, which received $25,000 in 2025, says it provides in-depth, fact-based journalism and a platform for diverse community voices. Fostering Media Connections, which received $20,000, describes its work as investigative, accountability, and solutions-oriented journalism focused on systems serving vulnerable children, youth, and families. Reading Team Inc, also awarded $20,000, runs early-literacy and after-school reading programs. Other 2025 grantees described work in youth mentoring, educational achievement, Latina empowerment, scholarships, and environmental journalism.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 36 grants totaling $591,814. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $38,814, with a median of $15,000. Among the largest awards were $38,814 to AVID Escondido for program support; $25,000 each to Urban Arts, Latino U College Access Inc, Open Vallejo, and New Bedford Light; and $24,000 to Stonewall Inn Gives Back for general support. Other notable grants included $20,000 each to South Bronx United Inc, Mentor for Change, Fostering Media Connections, Goddard Riverside Community Center, Fund for Investigative Journalism, and Reading Team Inc.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Christopher H Ottaway, David B Ottaway, Marina S Ottaway, Alexandra Ottaway, Robin H Ottaway, Christine Sherer, Ruth O Sherer, Audra Ottaway, and Richard Sherer as board members. Afrime Ottaway is listed as president through May 31, 2025.
The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc is led by Afrime Ottaway, President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 18 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Afrime Ottaway
President
Trustee & Vice President → Vice President & President, 2023
Vice President & President → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jillian Ottaway
President & Board Member
Vice President & Board Member → President & Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alexandra Ottaway
Board Member
Trustee → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Audra Ottaway
Board Member
Trustee → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christine Sherer
Board Member
Trustee → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher H. Ottaway
Board Member
Trustee → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David B. Ottaway
Board Member
Trustee → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric B. Ottaway
Treasurer, Assistant Secretary & Board Member
Trustee & Treasurer → Treasurer, Treasurer & Assistant Secretary, 2023
Treasurer, Treasurer & Assistant Secretary → Treasurer, Assistant Secretary & Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Sherer
Board Member
Trustee & President → President, 2023
President → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kailan Ottaway
Board Member
Trustee → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marina S. Ottaway
Board Member
Trustee → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard Sherer
Board Member
Trustee → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robin H. Ottaway
Board Member
Trustee → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ruth O. Sherer
Board Member
Trustee → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Torin Ottaway
Vice President & Board Member
Secretary → Secretary & Board Member, 2024
Secretary & Board Member → Vice President & Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alex Sherer
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brooke Ottaway
Board Member & Secretary
Board Member → Board Member & Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Ottaway Jr.
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Frank Alexei Sherer (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: James H. Ottaway Jr. (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Jay Ottaway (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Jill Fahy-Ottaway (2020–2023) — Vice President
- Former: Katrina Velder-Ottaway (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Lisa Orloff (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Nicholas Sherer (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Ricky Sherer (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Sarah Sherer (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Jakob Ottaway-Velder (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Bonnie Burgoyne (2020) — Executive Director & Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc
How much does The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc give each year?
The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc gave $592K across 36 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $634K across 34 grants.
What is The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc's typical grant size?
The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $16,439, across 36 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc that year got $13K on average.
Where does The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc give grants?
The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc's top state is New York, with 47% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (29%) and Massachusetts (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (7 grants), Los Angeles, CA (2 grants), Bronx, NY (2 grants) and Brooklyn, NY (2 grants).
Does The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 44% of The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (16 of 36) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (20 grants).
Who are The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc's largest grantees?
The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Avid Escondido ($38,814), Urban Arts ($25,000) and LATINO U COLLEGE ACCESS Inc (LUCA) ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc?
The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc reported $10.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $595K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $549K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc fund?
The foundation describes its commitment as improving communities and impacting lives. Its Education Committee grants support initiatives such as tutoring, college preparation, and internships. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc?
The foundation’s filing instructs applicants to contact Brown Advisory and submit an application in business-letter form disclosing all pertinent facts about the request. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc's EIN?
The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 14-1505939. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-nicholas-b-ottaway-fdn-inc-morg_0f65e60b55b24a17bf5a422ef861ed51
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_141505939_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-nicholas-b-ottaway-fdn-inc-morg_0f65e60b55b24a17bf5a422ef861ed51},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Nicholas B Ottaway Fdn 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.
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