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Minnesota · Private foundation

Nicholson Family Foundation

Its FY2024 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$902k
Granted FY2024(still arriving)
156
Grants FY2024
156
Organizations funded FY2023
12%
First-time grantees FY2023
Read the full brief
Median grant, FY2024
$2,500
Largest grant, FY2024
$61,687
Organizations funded a year
96 to 163
FY2017 to FY2023
States reached, FY2024
14
Total assets, FY2024
$15M
Applications
Preselected organizations only
Per its most recent filing; check its own site

How open it is to new grantees

In FY2023, 12% of the organizations Nicholson Family Foundation funded were first-time grantees, receiving 13% of its grant dollars.

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2023, 87% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $106k went to new ones.

50%100%’18’19’20’21’22’23
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’18’19’20’21’22’23
EducationArts & CultureEnvironmentHuman ServicesHealthPublic BenefitOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.
The numbers by year
Fiscal yearOrganizations fundedTo those organizationsFirst-time grantees
FY2024still arriving151$874k5%
FY2023156$803k12%
FY2022163$711k31%
FY2021140$782k15%
FY2020137$480k23%
FY2019124$437k34%
FY201896$282k46%
FY2017130$306kn/a
96% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2024.

Arts & Culture$1.5MEducation$1.0MPhilanthropy$858kHealth$372kEnvironment$342kHousing & Shelter$203kYouth Development$165kHuman Services$152kOther$0

Where its grants go

Grant dollars by states, across the years we hold.

Which US states its grants reach

MT
MN
IL
WI
MI
NY
OR
IN
OH
NJ
CT
CA
CO
VA
MD
TN
DC
LA
AL
GA
TX
FL

Top grantees

Largest recipients by total granted, FY2017 to FY2024, and the share of each one’s budget the grants supplied at peak.

Show all 181 grantees
All grantees of Nicholson Family Foundation by total granted
GranteeTotal grantedYearsShare of their budget
Ramsey County Historical Society Inc$277,10586%
The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library$194,50682%
Greater Twin Cities United Way$122,00080%
Mounds Park Academy$108,50080%
St Paul Academy and Summit School$105,90980%
OceanitesInc$100,000418%
Minnesota Museum of American Art$99,89915%
National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States$93,50060%
The History Theatre Inc$92,72571%
People Incorporated$89,50080%
Commonbond Communities$80,57160%
Como Friends$70,35780%
Allina Health Foundation$55,01020%
University of St Thomas$54,00080%
Northern Star Council$53,00080%
Twin Cities Public Television Inc$51,20050%
Listening House of St Paul Inc$50,00021%
Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities$49,50060%
Science Museum of Minnesota$47,10080%
Schubert Club The$45,45080%
Saint Paul Police Foundation$39,20072%
Canvas Health Inc$37,50080%
Friends of the Mississippi River$36,00080%
Liberty Classical Academy$31,00080%
Gillette Children's Hospital Foundation$29,50070%
Neighborhood House$29,50060%
University of Minnesota Foundation$28,20060%
Project for Pride in Living Inc$27,50060%
Lower Phalen Creek Project$27,00081%
College of St Scholastica Inc$27,00070%
DePauw University$25,50070%
The Garden Club of America$25,50050%
The George Washington University$25,00010%
Western Reserve Academy$23,70070%
Young Mens Christian Association of the North$23,50070%
Breakthrough T1d$22,00080%
Vail Christian Academy$21,00071%
Union Gospel Mission Association of St Paul Inc$20,10040%
Phillips Eye Institute Foundation$20,00041%
Stepping Stone Theater Co$20,00041%
Jeremiah Program$19,50080%
Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts Dba Minneapolis Institute of Arts$18,50060%
Hope Academy Inc$17,62530%
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts$17,57550%
Treehouse Inc$16,80050%
Salvation Army$16,5004n/a
The Freedom Foundation of Minnesota$16,00071%
Minnesota Transportation Museum Inc$15,00021%
Fort Snelling State Park Association$15,0002n/a
Historic Summit Avenue$15,000117%
White Bear Center for the Arts$14,93080%
The Colorado College$14,00070%
The Heritage Foundation$14,00070%
University of Denver$14,00070%
Shattuck - St Mary's School Foundation$13,75065%
Our Lady of Peace$12,50070%
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota$12,00040%
Ujamaa Place$12,00070%
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Society$12,00060%
Bright Future Foundation for Eagle County$11,50070%
Colorado State University Foundation$11,50070%
United Hospital Foundation$11,10030%
Belwin Conservancy$10,50060%
Dyslexia Institute of Mn Inc$10,50040%
Citizens League$10,00070%
Lifetrack Resources Inc$10,00040%
University of Northwestern - St Paul$10,00010%
Macalester College$10,00010%
Serveminnesota$10,00020%
Breakthrough Twin Cities$9,50080%
Amherst H Wilder Foundation$9,00020%
Saint Paul Garden Club$8,25062%
Center of the American Experiment$8,00080%
Solid Ground$7,55060%
American National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches$7,50040%
Connecticut College$7,50030%
Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness$7,50030%
Guild$7,50060%
The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union$7,00020%
Urban Roots Mn$6,50060%
Lewis & Clark College$6,00060%
Afton Historical Society Press$6,00029%
Franconia Sculpture Park Legeros$5,50060%
White Bear Lake Area Historical Society$5,35030%
Trustees of the Hamline University of Minnesota$5,00060%
Hamm Memorial Psychiatric Clinic$5,00070%
Mahtomedi Area Educational Foundation$5,00011%
Inland Lake Yachting Associationin$5,00011%
The Administrators of the Tulane Educational Fund$5,00010%
Wilderness Inquiry Inc$4,50070%
The Arts Partnership$4,50030%
Vail Health Services Foundation$4,50030%
Commusication$4,50051%
Courage Coalition$4,10024%
Unity Church of St Paul$4,0003n/a
Glacier National Park Conservancy$4,00060%
Ramsey Hill Association$3,85074%
The Charlemagne Institute$3,70050%
Friends of Mountain Rescue Inc$3,50070%
Penumbra Theatre Company Inc$3,50010%
Rondo Center of Diverse Expression$3,00034%
St Paul Fire Foundation$3,00032%
Century College Foundation$3,00030%
White Bear Yacht Club$3,00040%
Historic Saint Paul Corporation$3,00032%
Can Do Canines$3,00030%
Bill Betchey Memorial Fund$2,7503n/a
St Paul Curling Foundation$2,500114%
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities$2,50030%
Mental Health Resources Inc$2,50010%
Ten Thousand Things Theater$2,50030%
The Link$2,45050%
Hennepin History Museum$2,10020%
Friends of the Desert Mountains$2,00020%
Guided Discoveries Inc$2,00010%
Judicial Watch Inc$2,00020%
Theater Latte Da$2,00040%
Dakota County Historical Society$2,00030%
Minnesota Wild Foundation$2,00020%
Honor the Earth$2,0001n/a
Cathedral Heritage Foundation$2,00020%
Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul$2,0002n/a
Hallie Q Brown Community Center Inc$1,55030%
The Rectory School Inc$1,50030%
The Cookie Cart$1,26720%
White Bear Sailing School$1,25031%
Concordia University St Paul$1,00010%
Transportation Alternatives Inc$1,00020%
Shattuck-St Mary's School$1,00010%
Twin Cities Opera Guild$1,00011%
Summit Avenue Residential Preservation Association$1,00012%
Spondylitis Association of America$1,00040%
Washington County Historical Society$1,0001n/a
Neighborhood Development Center Inc$1,00010%
Minnesota Diversified Industries Inc$1,00030%
Planned Parenthood Minnesota North Dakota South Dakota$1,00010%
Compas Inc$1,00010%
National Audubon Society Inc$1,00010%
Hunters Harvest$85030%
Givemn$76710%
Bountifield International$55040%
Resource Conservation Foundation of Greater San Diego County$5251n/a
Wayzata Community Church$5001n/a
Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels Inc$50020%
Minnesota Voters Alliance$5001n/a
Ne Sculpture Gallery Factory$50020%
St John the Evangelist$5001n/a
Edible Schoolyard New York$50010%
At Home Group$50010%
Children & Nature Network$50010%
North House Folk School$50010%
Adventures in Missions Inc$5001n/a
Wikimedia Foundation Inc$50010%
Solar Cookers International$40040%
College Possible Inc$40030%
Population Connection$40040%
Northland College$30030%
Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory Foundation$30030%
Ducks Unlimited Inc$25010%
Coachella Valley Repertory$25010%
Roots for the Home Team$25010%
ECHO Inc$20020%
St Edwards University$20020%
Blood Cancer United Inc$20020%
St Lawrence University$20020%
Children's Tumor Foundation$10510%
Have a Heart Inc$10010%
Heritage Foundation$10010%
Augsburg University$10010%
Fresh Energy$10010%
The Desert Biennial Dba Desert X$10010%
Natural Resources Defense Council Inc$10010%
Newborn Foundation$10010%
Lake Street Council$10010%
United States Curling Association$10010%
World Wildlife Fund Inc$5010%
The Mental Health Association of New York City Inc$5010%
The Bond Between$5010%
Working Dogs for Vets$5010%
American Cancer Society Inc$5010%
Wildlife Rehabilitation & Release$251n/a

What it could do for these grantees

Plus 165 recipients with no EIN on record ($1.6M), not named here.

Where it is load-bearing

Each grantee by its size and the share of its budget Nicholson Family Foundation supplied at peak.

25%50%75%100%$100k$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetRamsey County Historical Society Inc: $277,105 over 8y, 5.5% of budgetThe Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library: $194,506 over 8y, 1.8% of budgetGreater Twin Cities United Way: $122,000 over 8y, 0.0% of budgetMounds Park Academy: $108,500 over 8y, 0.1% of budgetSt Paul Academy and Summit School: $105,909 over 8y, 0.1% of budgetOceanitesInc: $100,000 over 4y, 18% of budgetMinnesota Museum of American Art: $99,899 over 1y, 4.7% of budgetNational Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States: $93,500 over 6y, 0.1% of budgetThe History Theatre Inc: $92,725 over 7y, 0.7% of budgetPeople Incorporated: $89,500 over 8y, 0.0% of budgetCommonbond Communities: $80,571 over 6y, 0.1% of budgetComo Friends: $70,357 over 8y, 0.4% of budgetAllina Health Foundation: $55,010 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetUniversity of St Thomas: $54,000 over 8y, 0.0% of budgetNorthern Star Council: $53,000 over 8y, 0.1% of budgetTwin Cities Public Television Inc: $51,200 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetListening House of St Paul Inc: $50,000 over 2y, 1.1% of budgetBoys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities: $49,500 over 6y, 0.1% of budgetScience Museum of Minnesota: $47,100 over 8y, 0.0% of budgetSchubert Club The: $45,450 over 8y, 0.4% of budgetSaint Paul Police Foundation: $39,200 over 7y, 2.4% of budgetCanvas Health Inc: $37,500 over 8y, 0.0% of budgetFriends of the Mississippi River: $36,000 over 8y, 0.4% of budgetLiberty Classical Academy: $31,000 over 8y, 0.1% of budgetGillette Children's Hospital Foundation: $29,500 over 7y, 0.1% of budgetNeighborhood House: $29,500 over 6y, 0.1% of budgetUniversity of Minnesota Foundation: $28,200 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetProject for Pride in Living Inc: $27,500 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetLower Phalen Creek Project: $27,000 over 8y, 1.2% of budgetCollege of St Scholastica Inc: $27,000 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetDePauw University: $25,500 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetThe Garden Club of America: $25,500 over 5y, 0.1% of budgetThe George Washington University: $25,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWestern Reserve Academy: $23,700 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetYoung Mens Christian Association of the North: $23,500 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetBreakthrough T1d: $22,000 over 8y, 0.0% of budgetVail Christian Academy: $21,000 over 7y, 0.5% of budgetUnion Gospel Mission Association of St Paul Inc: $20,100 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetPhillips Eye Institute Foundation: $20,000 over 4y, 0.9% of budgetStepping Stone Theater Co: $20,000 over 4y, 1.0% of budgetJeremiah Program: $19,500 over 8y, 0.0% of budgetMinneapolis Society of Fine Arts Dba Minneapolis Institute of Arts: $18,500 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetHope Academy Inc: $17,625 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetOrdway Center for the Performing Arts: $17,575 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetTreehouse Inc: $16,800 over 5y, 0.1% of budgetThe Freedom Foundation of Minnesota: $16,000 over 7y, 1.4% of budgetMinnesota Transportation Museum Inc: $15,000 over 2y, 0.7% of budgetHistoric Summit Avenue: $15,000 over 1y, 17% of budget

Tap a dot to name the grantee.

How this is measured
Share of budget is the funder’s grant in a year over the grantee’s total revenue that year, at its highest across the years we hold; revenue is from all sources. Only grantees confirmed against their own filings, whose grants do not exceed their revenue, are plotted: the largest 168.

Nonprofits that may fit its grantmaking

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Saint Paul & Minnesota FoundationMN86.7× affinity66 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation · Hardenbergh Foundation · Fr Bigelow Foundation · Xcel Energy Foundation · The Minneapolis Foundation · Otto Bremer Trust · The Hubbard Broadcasting Foundation · Hrk Foundation · Fred C and Katherine B Andersen Foundation · Osilas Foundation · The K Foundation · Target Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

Compare Nicholson Family Foundation with peer funders

Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

How do I get to Nicholson Family Foundation?

Find your warmest path to Nicholson Family Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

About Nicholson Family Foundation

How much does Nicholson Family Foundation give?
Nicholson Family Foundation reported 156 grants totaling $902,138 in its FY2024 IRS filing. It funded between 96 and 163 organizations a year over FY2017 to FY2023.
What does Nicholson Family Foundation fund?
By grant dollars over FY2017 to FY2024, its largest causes are Arts & Culture (29%), Education (20%), Philanthropy (16%).
Who are Nicholson Family Foundation's largest grantees?
By total granted over FY2017 to FY2024: Ramsey County Historical Society Inc ($277k), The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library ($195k), Greater Twin Cities United Way ($122k).
Does Nicholson Family Foundation fund new organizations?
In FY2023, 12% of the organizations it funded were first-time grantees.
Does Nicholson Family Foundation accept unsolicited applications?
Its most recent filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and does not take unsolicited requests. Check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.
Which funders back the same organizations as Nicholson Family Foundation?
Its strongest co-funders, measured against what their size predicts, include Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, Hardenbergh Foundation, Fr Bigelow Foundation.
Where is Nicholson Family Foundation based?
Nicholson Family Foundation is based in MN.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 355 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

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