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The Nicholson Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker New York, NY EIN: 22-2344110 Website

The Nicholson Foundation is a private foundation whose 2024 filing lists its location as New York, New York; its website describes it as a family foundation based in Newark, New Jersey. The foundation states that it made its first grants in 2002, issued its final awards in 2021, and closed on December 31, 2021. Its stated mission was to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable populations in New Jersey.

Key facts about The Nicholson Foundation

In short: The Nicholson Foundation gave $984K across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $197K), mostly in New Jersey. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
22-2344110
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$984,348
Grants made (2024)
5
Average grant
$196,870
Median grant
$144,348
Total assets
$8,525,489
Primary geography
New Jersey (65% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to apply
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$8.5M

-13.7% YoY

Annual Giving

$984K

-20.1% YoY

Grant Count

5

+25.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$197K

-36.0% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Nicholson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $458K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

How The Nicholson Foundation gives

  • Giving fell 88% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 253% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation’s mission was to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable populations in New Jersey. In its final years, it focused on primary care, population health, early childhood, professional development, and state government, supporting efforts to improve health and early-childhood services.

The 2024 grants included support for arts and craft organizations and programs. GlassRoots describes its mission as building Greater Newark’s creative and economic vitality, with a focus on youth and young adults, through glass art. The Butterfly Effect Project describes its mission as empowering young girls with tools to pursue emotionally stable, self-confident futures.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2024, the foundation reported five grants totaling $984,348. Grant amounts ranged from $50,000 to $500,000, with a median of $144,348. The largest awards were $500,000 to GlassRoots Inc. for renovation and furnishings at a new site, and $190,000 to the Metal Museum for a new enamel workspace. GlassRoots also received $144,348 for its Peters Valley residential youth development program; The Butterfly Effect Project received $100,000 for a mentoring program for low-income girls of color; and Peconic Arts School of Fine Crafts received $50,000 for a new campus building.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation’s stated historical mission and focus were centered on vulnerable populations in New Jersey. Its 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in New Jersey (65%), Tennessee (19%), New York (10%), and North Carolina (5%).

Grant Distribution by State

12states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.

Cities

NewarkPatersonPiscatawayTrentonNew BrunswickCamdenCarrboroAsbury ParkBarnegat LightBostonSan FranciscoEast WindsorHamiltonKnoxvilleLittle FallsMonroe TownshipNeptunePennsaukenPrincetonSummit

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$5M$10M$15M87 grants2020 65 grants2021 1 grant2022 4 grants2023 5 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $134K (2022) to $10.8M (2020). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $984K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 4 recipients in 2024

Glassroots Inc: $644K across 2 grantsGlassroots Inc$644K · 2 grantsMetal Museum: $190KMetal Museum$190KThe Butterfly Effect Project: $100KThe Butterfly Effect Project$100KPeconic Arts School of Fine Crafts: $50KPeconic Arts School of FineCrafts$50K

The largest 2024 recipient was Glassroots Inc ($644K across 2 grants). Together the top 4 received $984K.

Grant Size Distribution

162 grants across all recorded years

58<$50K41$50–100K42$100–250K13$250–500K6$500K–1M2$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 58 grants of 162 (36%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Glassroots Inc Newark, NJFunds to support the renovation and furnishing of a new site.$500,000
Metal Museum Memphis, TNTo provide a capital grant for building out a new enamel workspace within the new building.$190,000
Glassroots Inc Newark, NJFunds to support the glassroots peters valley residential youth development program. It is a 12-week program for the peters valley residents to take courses in glassmaking and other crafts.$144,348
The Butterfly Effect Project Riverhead, NYFunds to support a mentoring program for low-income girls of color.$100,000
Peconic Arts School of Fine Crafts Columbia, NCFunds for a new building to add to the campus space.$50,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants Grant count
2024 $8,525,489 -$174,397 $1,291,065 $984,348 5
2023 $9,875,571 $486,579 $1,540,919 $1,231,244 4
2022 $10,798,203 $790,549 $745,249 $134,394 1
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$5M$10M$15M$20M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$8,525,489$9,875,571$10,798,203
Revenue$-174,397$486,579$790,549
Expenses$1,291,065$1,540,919$745,249
Qualifying Distributions$1,161,778$1,367,296$556,219
Net Investment Income$150,987$312,956$601,519
Distributable Amount$458,418$486,911$570,518

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Barbara Nicholson McFadyen as secretary, chairman, and trustee; Jan Nicholson as president, treasurer, and trustee; and Michael P. Vito as trustee.

The Nicholson Foundation is led by Jan Nicholson, President, Treasurer & Trustee on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Jan Nicholson

    President, Treasurer & Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    10 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Barbara Nicholson McFadyen

    Secretary, Chairman & Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Michael P. Vito

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Contact

Mailing address: Co Raines Fischer 555 5Th Ave 9, New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 953-9200
Website: https://thenicholsonfoundation.org

Frequently asked questions about The Nicholson Foundation

How much does The Nicholson Foundation give each year?

The Nicholson Foundation gave $984K across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.2M across 4 grants.

What is The Nicholson Foundation's typical grant size?

The Nicholson Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $144,348, and its average grant was $196,870, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does The Nicholson Foundation give grants?

The Nicholson Foundation gives mostly in New Jersey: 65% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Tennessee (19%) and New York (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Newark, NJ (2 grants).

Does The Nicholson Foundation give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on The Nicholson Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.

Who are The Nicholson Foundation's largest grantees?

The Nicholson Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Glassroots Inc ($644,348 across 2 grants), Metal Museum ($190,000) and The Butterfly Effect Project ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 95% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is The Nicholson Foundation?

The Nicholson Foundation reported $8.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $458K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does The Nicholson Foundation fund?

The foundation’s mission was to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable populations in New Jersey. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from The Nicholson Foundation?

The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is The Nicholson Foundation's EIN?

The Nicholson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-2344110. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Does The Nicholson Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?

No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

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