The Nicholson Foundation
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.
The Nicholson Foundation at a glance
In short: The Nicholson Foundation gave $984K across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $197K), mostly in New Jersey. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $984,348
- -20.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- +25.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $196,870
- -36.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $144,348
- Total assets
- $8,525,489
- -13.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New Jersey (65% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Nicholson Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: Co Raines Fischer 555 5Th Ave 9, New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 953-9200
Website: https://thenicholsonfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Nicholson Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
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
The most common grant size was under $50K: 58 grants of 162 (36%).
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
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
States
Cities
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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $134K (2022) to $10.8M (2020). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $984K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Glassroots Inc Newark, NJ | Funds to support the renovation and furnishing of a new site. | $500,000 |
| Metal Museum Memphis, TN | To provide a capital grant for building out a new enamel workspace within the new building. | $190,000 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $8,525,489 | $-174,397 | $1,291,065 | $984,348 | 5 | $1,161,778 | $150,987 | $458,418 |
| 2023 | $9,875,571 | $486,579 | $1,540,919 | $1,231,244 | 4 | $1,367,296 | $312,956 | $486,911 |
| 2022 | $10,798,203 | $790,549 | $745,249 | $134,394 | 1 | $556,219 | $601,519 | $570,518 |
| 2021 | $12,191,968 | $850,330 | $12,915,470 | $7,888,552 | 65 | $12,731,271 | $737,407 | $832,005 |
| 2020 | $24,303,452 | $880,218 | $15,717,029 | $10,766,880 | 87 | — | $697,542 | $1,502,053 |
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.
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.
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.
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 October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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