The Nielsen Foundation Inc
The Nielsen Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Oldsmar, Florida, originally funded by Nielsen, a global data and analytics company. It supports work advancing inclusive innovation in media and technology, particularly through data and research.
The Nielsen Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Nielsen Foundation Inc gave $1.9M across 48 grants in 2025 (avg $39K), top state New York. 26% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,851,530
- -24.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 48
- -7.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $38,574
- -18.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $34,652,837
- +0.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (11 of 42, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (45% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Nielsen Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation accepts applications by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests; it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Grant recipients must be tax-exempt nonprofit organizations classified by the IRS, or the international equivalent. The foundation will not support organizations that discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, religious organizations for sectarian purposes, or direct contributions to candidates, political parties, PACs, super PACs, political committees, 527 groups, or ballot question committees.
- Contact
Mailing address: 501 Brooker Creek Blvd, Oldsmar, FL 34677
Phone: (203) 563-3154
Website: https://nielsen-foundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Nielsen Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Tampa Bay Wave Inc ($223K). Together the top 10 received $1.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
225 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 130 grants of 225 (58%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant dollars were distributed among recipients in multiple states, with the largest shares going to New York (45%), Florida (12%), California (12%), South Carolina (9%), and Virginia (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 48 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Nielsen Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 11 of 42 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $25K; repeat grants $51K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 67% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−10%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 102% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.3M (2023) to $2.5M (2024). In 2025 it made 48 grants totaling $1.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Wave Inc Tampa, FL | To support the 2026 tech|x purpose driven innovation accelerator | $222,500 |
| The Blackbaud Giving Fund Charleston, SC | Cause cards program (administered by yourcause and processed through the blackbaud giving fund). Nielsen employees who log volunteer hours can unlock "cause cards" to direct donations from the nielsen foundation to eligible non-profits, as a way to further recognize and increase the impact of their volunteer hours. The nielsen foundation also offers other special issue cause card programs throughout the year. | $164,680 |
| Local Initiatives Support Corporation New York, NY | To support lisc's optimizing narrative change initiative to cultivate community networks through storytelling | $150,000 |
| National Afterschool Association Oakton, VA | Support for the discover data program for middle and high school data science activities | $120,000 |
| Advertising Council Inc New York, NY | General Operating Support | $75,000 |
| Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media Marina Del Ray, CA | General Operating Support | $75,000 |
| ARF Charitable Foundation Inc New York, NY | To Support the ARF Wide Program | $50,000 |
| Civic Nation Washington, DC | To support we the action, an initiative of civic nation | $50,000 |
| Climate Central Inc Princeton, NJ | To support research helping local U.S. broadcasters better cover extreme weather and climate change | $50,000 |
| Entertainment Industry Foundation Los Angeles, CA | General Operating Support for DEFY:DISASTER | $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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,652,837 | $2,386,947 | $2,245,095 | $1,851,530 | 48 | $2,049,956 | $2,244,125 | $2,000,474 |
| 2024 | $34,510,985 | $2,387,229 | $2,754,652 | $2,455,118 | 52 | $2,580,348 | $2,240,638 | $1,899,585 |
| 2023 | $34,878,408 | $1,375,057 | $1,580,968 | $1,322,840 | 23 | $1,445,682 | $1,271,777 | $1,717,229 |
| 2022 | $35,084,319 | $706,224 | $2,325,527 | $2,049,106 | 52 | $2,181,288 | $885,634 | $1,792,010 |
| 2021 | $36,703,622 | $4,222,652 | $2,304,967 | $1,971,456 | 50 | $2,104,501 | $4,114,758 | $1,987,923 |
| 2020 | $34,785,937 | $2,191,977 | $2,421,591 | $2,179,240 | 64 | — | $2,078,337 | $1,751,423 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Nielsen Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $2.0M for 2025 — 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 is to power and advance inclusive innovation in the media and technology industries, especially through the use of data and research. Its stated priority areas are media production and content; media and technology careers; and using media and technology for social impact, including work related to inclusion, mental health, and climate change’s impact on vulnerable communities.
Data for Good grants support projects that use data innovatively to bridge divides and catalyze long-term change. The foundation identifies goals including increasing access to skills, resources, and opportunities; influencing public attitudes or behavior for positive social outcomes; and using data to inform positive social change. Its two current Signature Programs are Tech|X Accelerator, with Tampa Bay Wave, and Discover Data, with the National AfterSchool Association and Discovery Education.
Grantees in 2025 included organizations working in areas reflected in these priorities. For example, the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media describes its work as using data-driven research, education, and advocacy to mitigate bias and promote authentic portrayals in entertainment, advertising, and gaming. Harmony Labs says it studies how media influence works in society and develops solutions with relevant stakeholders. The National AfterSchool Association describes itself as a membership association for professionals working with children and youth in afterschool programs.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 48 grants totaling $1,851,530. Grant amounts ranged from $2,000 to $222,500, with a median of $25,000.
The largest 2025 grants included $222,500 to Tampa Bay Wave Inc to support the 2026 Tech|X Purpose Driven Innovation Accelerator; $164,680 to The Blackbaud Giving Fund for the Cause Cards program; $150,000 to Local Initiatives Support Corporation for its Optimizing Narrative Change initiative; and $120,000 to the National Afterschool Association for the Discover Data program. Other notable grants included $75,000 each to the Advertising Council Inc for general operating support and the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media for general operating support. The foundation also awarded $50,000 to Climate Central to support research helping local broadcasters cover extreme weather and climate change, and $50,000 to GLAAD for general operating support for the GLAAD Media Institute.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Andrea Bertels as President and Executive Director of Grantmaking; Tracy Miller-Reimschussel as Vice President–Finance; and Caitlin Cahalan as Treasurer. Directors listed were George Callard, Sandra Sims-Williams (also Secretary), Shannon Coyne Rosado (Grantmaking), Ameyon Hawkins, Brendon Perkins (listed as a director until April 4, 2025), and Nicolina Marzicola (listed as a director as of September 4, 2025).
The Nielsen Foundation Inc is led by Andrea Bertels, President & Executive Dir-Grantmaking since 2021 (on filings since 2020); none of the 9 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Andrea Bertels
President & Executive Dir-Grantmaking
Executive Dir-Grantmaking → President & Executive Dir-Grantmaking, 2021
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
George Callard
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sandra Sims-Williams
Director & Secretary
Director → Director & Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shannon Coyne Rosado
Director & Grantmaking
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brendon Perkins
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ameyon Hawkins
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicolina Marzicola
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Caitlin Cahalan
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tracy Miller-Reimschussel
Vice President-Finance
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Lisa Longo (2020–2024) — Vice President-Finance
- Former: Amazon Hawkins (2024) — Director
- Former: Jamie Moldafsky (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Jana Palmaccio (2021–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Laurie Lovett (2020–2022) — Director & Executive Dir-Governance
- Former: Laura Nelson (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: William Bradley (2020–2021) — Treasurer & Director
- Former: Maria Genova (2021) — Director & Grantmaking
- Former: Emily Epstein (2020) — President, Secretary & Executive Dir-Governance
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Nielsen Foundation Inc
How much does The Nielsen Foundation Inc give each year?
The Nielsen Foundation Inc gave $1.9M across 48 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.5M across 52 grants.
What is The Nielsen Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Nielsen Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $38,574, across 48 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Nielsen Foundation Inc that year got $25K on average.
Where does The Nielsen Foundation Inc give grants?
The Nielsen Foundation Inc's top state is New York, with 45% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Florida (12%) and California (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (24 grants), Washington, DC (3 grants), Ventura, CA (2 grants) and Katonah, NY (2 grants).
Does The Nielsen Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 44% of The Nielsen Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (21 of 48) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "2025 Capacity-Building Grant" (6 grants).
Who are The Nielsen Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Nielsen Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Tampa Bay Wave Inc ($222,500), The Blackbaud Giving Fund ($164,680) and Local Initiatives Support Corporation ($150,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Nielsen Foundation Inc?
The Nielsen Foundation Inc reported $34.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Nielsen Foundation Inc fund?
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. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Nielsen Foundation Inc?
The foundation accepts applications by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests; it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2020–2025.
Does The Nielsen Foundation Inc 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 7, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Nielsen Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-nielsen-foundation-inc-morg_f98319fb813244daa33e17061a1617da
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_475513015_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Nielsen Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-nielsen-foundation-inc-morg_f98319fb813244daa33e17061a1617da},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Nielsen Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
The Nielsen Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?