The Nicholson Foundation
The Nicholson Foundation is a private foundation based in New York, NY, established in April 1981. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization dedicated to addressing the complex needs of vulnerable populations through strategic grantmaking and partnerships. The foundation works to improve service delivery systems and support underserved communities across the United States.
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on improving the quality of life for economically disadvantaged and low-income individuals. Its primary focus areas include:
- Education and higher education
- Health and healthcare outcomes
- Early childhood education
- Community and economic development
- Human services
- Support for pregnant people and vulnerable populations
The foundation began its current work in 2002, focusing on encouraging reform of health, early education, and human services delivery systems. It operates through partnerships with policymakers, stakeholders, and service providers, convening like-minded agencies and organizations while providing technical assistance during project research, planning, and implementation.
Grantmaking
The foundation has supported specific initiatives including:
Grant Range
& Range:**
Average Grant
amount: $629 (based on recent data)
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation operates primarily in the United States, with particular emphasis on:
- New Jersey (primary focus, especially urban areas)
- New York
- Tennessee
- California
- Massachusetts
- Additional funding in Colorado, Illinois, and Texas
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $9,875,571
- Total revenue: $486,579
- Total expenses: $1,540,919
Historical Data (2023):
- Total assets: $9.88 million
- Total liabilities: $0
The foundation maintains a strong financial position with no outstanding liabilities.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
110 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Glassroots Inc ($500,000), Metal Museum ($190,000), Glassroots Inc ($144,348).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| GLASSROOTS INC NEWARK, NJ | FUNDS 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 |
| GLASSROOTS INC NEWARK, NJ | FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE RENOVATION AND FURNISHING OF A NEW SITE. | $500,000 |
| THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT PROJECT RIVERHEAD, NY | FUNDS TO SUPPORT A MENTORING PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME GIRLS OF COLOR. | $100,000 |
| PECONIC ARTS SCHOOL OF FINE CRAFTS COLUMBIA, NC | FUNDS FOR A NEW BUILDING TO ADD TO THE CAMPUS SPACE. | $50,000 |
| METAL MUSEUM MEMPHIS, TN | TO PROVIDE A CAPITAL GRANT FOR BUILDING OUT A NEW ENAMEL WORKSPACE WITHIN THE NEW BUILDING. | $190,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key personnel include:
- Barbara Nicholson McFadyen – Secretary/Chairman/Trustee (1 hour per week)
- Jan Nicholson – President/Treasurer/Trustee (10 hours per week)
- Michael P. Vito – Trustee (1 hour per week)
All trustees serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BARBARA NICHOLSON MCFADYEN | SECRETARY/CHAIRMAN/TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JAN NICHOLSON | PRESIDENT/TREASURER/TRUSTE | 10 | — |
| MICHAEL P VITO | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been active in supporting statewide initiatives, including support for an ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Action Plan that outlines an ambitious roadmap for systemic change in New Jersey.
Victoria Foundation chipping in $30,000 to support charities in 2026 | PeninsulaFrequently Asked Questions
What does The Nicholson Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on improving the quality of life for economically disadvantaged and low-income individuals. Its primary focus areas include: • Education and higher education • Health and healthcare outcomes • Early childhood education • Community and economic development • Human services • Support for pregnant people and vulnerable populations The foundation began its current work in 2002, focusing on encouraging reform of health, early education, and human services delivery sy…
How do I apply for a grant from The Nicholson Foundation?
**Grant Size & Range:** • Grant range: $6,487 to $1,000,000 • Median grant amount: $76,524 • Average grant amount: $629 (based on recent data) **Recent Activity:** • Total giving in 2023: $1,367,296 • Total grants awarded: 92 • Giving rate: 13.2% of assets **Grant Programs:** The foundation has supported specific initiatives including: • Funds to improve asthma outcomes and related health programs (average $76,396 per grant; 3 recipients; last awarded in 2020) • Funds to develop and implement c…
Where does The Nicholson Foundation make grants?
The foundation operates primarily in the United States, with particular emphasis on: • New Jersey (primary focus, especially urban areas) • New York • Tennessee • California • Massachusetts • Additional funding in Colorado, Illinois, and Texas
What size grants does The Nicholson Foundation award?
In 2024, The Nicholson Foundation awarded 5 grants totaling $984K — an average of about $197K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Nicholson Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Nicholson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $458K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Nicholson 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.
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