The Nielsen Foundation Inc
The Nielsen Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking foundation based in Oldsmar, Florida. Originally funded by Nielsen, a global data and analytics company, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission centered on media, technology, and inclusive innovation. The foundation maintains a broad philanthropic reach across multiple U.S. states and cities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$34.5M
-1.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.5M
+85.6% YoY
Grant Count
52
+126.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$47K
-17.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Nielsen Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Nielsen Foundation envisions a world, enabled by media and technology, where everyone has voice and opportunities to succeed. The foundation's mission is to power and advance inclusive innovation in the media and technology industries, especially through the use of data and research.
The foundation supports organizations and projects working in the following priority areas:
Media Production and Content — Encouraging the use of data and research to understand and foster inclusion of all voices on-screen and behind-the-screen in media production and advertising, across content types and platforms.
Media and Technology Careers — Supporting talent from all experiences and perspectives to pursue and succeed in media and technology careers.
Media and Technology as Forces for Good — Supporting efforts to leverage data and innovation that enable social impact using media and technology, including efforts related to inclusion, mental health and the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities.
Grantmaking
The Nielsen Foundation operates several grant programs, including Data for Good grants and Signature Programs.
Average Grant
amount: $1,050–$325,000
Ready to take the next step with The Nielsen Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Nielsen Foundation supports organizations across multiple U.S. states and cities. Primary funding regions include:
- New York
- California
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- South Dakota
- Virginia
The foundation's grantmaking reaches organizations across 20 states, with significant concentration in New York, Virginia, and Florida, which account for 48% of all grants.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $34,878,408 (2023)
Annual Revenue: $1,375,057 (2023)
Annual Expenses: $1,580,968 (2023)
Total Assets: $34,510,985 (2024)
Total Giving: $2,455,118 (2024)
The foundation has no employees and operates with volunteer leadership.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $34,510,985 | $34,878,408 | $35,084,319 |
| Revenue | $2,387,229 | $1,375,057 | $706,224 |
| Expenses | $2,754,652 | $1,580,968 | $2,325,527 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,580,348 | $1,445,682 | $2,181,288 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,240,638 | $1,271,777 | $885,634 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,899,585 | $1,717,229 | $1,792,010 |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
223 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Tampa Bay Wave Inc ($222,500), Local Initiatives Support Corporation ($150,000), The Blackbaud Giving Fund ($139,568).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACCELERATED COLLEGE EXPERIENCES INC BOSTON, MA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ADVERTISING COUNCIL INC NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $75,000 |
| AI4ALL SAN FRANCISCO, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR IGNITE PROGRAM | $50,000 |
| AKSHAYA PATRA FOUNDATION USA FREMONT, CA | SUPPORT FOR THE AKSHAYA PATRA MID-DAY MEAL PROGRAM | $25,000 |
| AMERICA ON TECH INC NEW YORK, NY | TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S AI-POWERED DATA INFRASTRUCTURE EFFORTS | $50,000 |
| ARF CHARITABLE FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | SUPPORT FOR IN-PERSON PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING AND TRAVEL EXPENSES | $6,000 |
| ARF CHARITABLE FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | TO SUPPORT THE ARF WIDE PROGRAM | $50,000 |
| BLACK COLLEGIATE GAMING ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION INC ATLANTA, GA | SUPPORT FOR THE GIRLS GOT GAME PROGRAM | $15,000 |
| BROADCASTERS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA NEW YORK, NY | TO SUPPORT PEOPLE IN THE RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCASTING PROFESSION IN ACUTE NEED | $25,000 |
| CARING ACROSS GENERATIONS NEW YORK, NY | TO SUPPORT THE CARE INCLUSION PLAYBOOK | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Andrea Bertels — President and Executive Director of Grantmaking
Lisa Longo — Senior Vice President
The foundation is governed by 8 officers and trustees who contribute their time without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LISA LONGO | VICE PRESIDENT-FINANCE | 2 | — |
| GEORGE CALLARD | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| ANDREA BERTELS | PRESIDENT,EXEC DIR-GRANTMAKING | 6 | — |
| SANDRA SIMS-WILLIAMS | DIRECTOR, SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| SHANNON COYNE ROSADO | DIRECTOR, GRANTMAKING | 2 | — |
| BRENDON PERKINS | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| CAITLIN CAHALAN | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| AMAZON HAWKINS | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Nielsen Foundation announced its 2025 Data for Good grantees, continuing its commitment to supporting projects that leverage data for social impact. The foundation's 2024 grantmaking year was its largest ever, distributing $2.7 million in grants to advance inclusive media and technology initiatives. The foundation regularly announces annual grantees and publishes grantmaking highlights to showcase its impact across priority areas.
Nielsen Foundation announces 2025 Data for Good grantees - Nielsen FoundationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Nielsen Foundation Inc fund?
The Nielsen Foundation envisions a world, enabled by media and technology, where everyone has voice and opportunities to succeed. The foundation's mission is to power and advance inclusive innovation in the media and technology industries, especially through the use of data and research. The foundation supports organizations and projects working in the following priority areas: **Media Production and Content** — Encouraging the use of data and research to understand and foster inclusion of all …
How do I apply for a grant from The Nielsen Foundation Inc?
The Nielsen Foundation operates several grant programs, including Data for Good grants and Signature Programs. **Data for Good grants** support projects that use data in innovative ways and help bridge divides to catalyze long-term change by addressing goals such as increasing access to skills, resources, and opportunities; influencing public attitudes or behavior for positive social outcomes; and using data to inform positive social change. **Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2024: $2,455,118
Where does The Nielsen Foundation Inc make grants?
The Nielsen Foundation supports organizations across multiple U.S. states and cities. Primary funding regions include: • New York • California • District of Columbia • Florida • Arizona • Colorado • Connecticut • Illinois • Maryland • Minnesota • Missouri • North Carolina • South Dakota • Virginia The foundation's grantmaking reaches organizations across 20 states, with significant concentration in New York, Virginia, and Florida, which account for 48% of all grants.
What size grants does The Nielsen Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Nielsen Foundation Inc awarded 52 grants totaling $2.5M — an average of about $47K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Nielsen Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Nielsen Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.9M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Nielsen Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Nielsen Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-5513015. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Nielsen Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Virgil P Warren Fdn Tr Ua
ORLANDO, FL
Assets
$4.2M
Grants
14
Total Given
$96K
Palm Valley Academy Parent-teacher
PONTE VEDRA, FL
Assets
$261K
Grants
1
Total Given
$78K
The Fritch Foundation
FT LAUDERDALE, FL
Assets
—
Grants
17
Total Given
$167K
Leiman Asterisk Foundation Inc
DELRAY BEACH, FL
Assets
$1.2M
Grants
2
Total Given
$62K
Rachel Memorial Foundation
SANTA RSA BCH, FL
Assets
—
Grants
6
Total Given
$10K
My Brother'ssister's Keeper Charitable
ROYAL PALM BEACH, FL
Assets
$462K
Grants
1
Total Given
$50K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Nielsen Foundation Inc 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 Nielsen Foundation Inc to a real strategy.