The Nichols Trust
The Nichols Trust is a private foundation located in Hollis, New Hampshire. Established in 1959, it operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with no paid staff. The foundation's primary purpose is accomplished through investment income, which funds its grantmaking activities.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.5M
-2.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$74K
+1.0% YoY
Grant Count
32
-11.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$2K
+13.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Nichols Trust reported a distributable amount of $78K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports authorized 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. Investment income serves as the primary means by which the trust accomplishes its charitable purpose.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 32 grants in its most recent fiscal year (ending April 2025), with a median grant size of $375 and a range from $100 to $14,000.
Grant Range
of $375 and a range from $100 to $14,000.
Review Cycle
** None specified
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with The Nichols Trust?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending April 2025:
- Total Assets: $1,495,545
- Total Revenues: $66,984
- Total Expenses: $93,480
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Number of Employees: 0
As of Fiscal Year Ending April 2024:
- Total Assets: $1,530,000
- Total Revenues: $64,900
- Total Expenses: $89,100
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,495,545 | $1,528,134 | $1,558,127 |
| Revenue | $66,984 | $64,944 | $48,189 |
| Expenses | $93,480 | $89,088 | $95,750 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $80,695 | $73,337 | $79,837 |
| Net Investment Income | $54,484 | $49,944 | $33,189 |
| Distributable Amount | $78,117 | $74,865 | $77,658 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
163 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Beaver Brook Association ($13,500), Boston University's Wheelock College of Education & Human Development ($12,000), Berry College ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN RED CROSS CONCORD, NH | ANNUAL FUND/GENERAL | $250 |
| APPLEWILD SCHOOL FITCHBURG, MA | ANNUAL FUND/GENERAL | $2,850 |
| ARNOLD ARBORETUM JAMAICA PLAIN, MA | ANNUAL FUND/GENERAL | $100 |
| BEAVER BROOK ASSOCIATION HOLLIS, NH | ANNUAL FUND/GENERAL | $13,500 |
| BERRY COLLEGE BERRY, GA | ANNUAL FUND/SCHOLARSHIP | $10,000 |
| BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS HOSPITAL PLYMOUTH, MA | ANNUAL FUND/GENERAL | $1,000 |
| BOSTON UNIVERSITY'S WHEELOCK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT BOSTON, MA | ANNUAL FUND/GENERAL | $12,000 |
| BRIGHAM & WOMEN'S FAULKNER HOSPITAL BOSTON, MA | ANNUAL FUND/GENERAL | $500 |
| BRIMMER & MAY SCHOOL CHESTNUT HILL, MA | ANNUAL FUND/SCHOLARSHIP | $10,000 |
| BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN BROOKLYN, NY | ANNUAL FUND/GENERAL | $100 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is governed by four trustees:
- Richard R Husk (Trustee) — 8 hours/week, no compensation
- Frances F Nichols (Trustee) — 0.5 hours/week, no compensation
- Charles J Husk (Trustee) — 0.5 hours/week, no compensation
- Monique M Graves (Trustee) — 0.5 hours/week, no compensation
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRANCES F NICHOLS | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| RICHARD R HUSK | TRUSTEE | 8 | — |
| CHARLES J HUSK | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| MONIQUE M GRAVES | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Nichols Trust fund?
The foundation supports authorized 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. Investment income serves as the primary means by which the trust accomplishes its charitable purpose.
How do I apply for a grant from The Nichols Trust?
**Grant Activity:** The foundation made 32 grants in its most recent fiscal year (ending April 2025), with a median grant size of $375 and a range from $100 to $14,000. **Recent Grants (FY 2025):** • Beaver Brook Association: $13,500 (Annual Fund/general support) • Berry College: $10,000 (Annual Fund/scholarship) • Brimmer and May School: $10,000 (Annual Fund/scholarship) **Application Process:** • **Eligibility:** Letters from authorized 501(c)(3) charities • **Deadlines:** None specified • **…
What size grants does The Nichols Trust award?
In 2025, The Nichols Trust awarded 32 grants totaling $74K — an average of about $2K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Nichols Trust required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, The Nichols Trust reported a distributable amount of $78K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Nichols Trust's EIN?
The Nichols Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6026880. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Nichols Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Maine Dental Service Corporation
CONCORD, NH
Assets
$86.4M
Grants
1
Total Given
$331K
Hefflon Fbo Various Charities Tr Xxx-xx-xxxx
MANCHESTER, NH
Assets
$439K
Grants
3
Total Given
$25K
Lighthouse Federal Credit Union
PORTSMOUTH, NH
Assets
$1.9B
Grants
3
Total Given
$42K
Bhbt Ttee Henderson Charitable Trust
CONCORD, NH
Assets
$309K
Grants
4
Total Given
$16K
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic
LEBANON, NH
Assets
$285.1M
Grants
77
Total Given
$3.3M
Serve and Succeed Charitable Foundation
CLAREMONT, NH
Assets
$1.8M
Grants
2
Total Given
$25K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Nichols Trust on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching The Nichols Trust to a real strategy.