To champion organizations that create opportunities for local underserved youth in arts, education, and social services.
Nicholson Family Foundation’s recent giving shows a strong preference for long-term support to Minnesota institutions, including repeated capital campaign funding for Ramsey County Historical Society Inc across 2023, 2024, and 2025. That pattern sits alongside general operating grants to arts, education, and social service organizations, plus designated support for the Planet Forward Fund. The foundation also appears to fund individuals and scholarship-related work, which broadens its profile beyond institutional grants. In its recent grants, the foundation has backed organizations tied to Saint Paul civic life and cultural access, such as Park Square Theater Company, Friends of the St Paul Public Library, and Commonbond Communities. Other awards have gone to health, housing, historical, and educational institutions, suggesting a portfolio that includes both direct service and community infrastructure. Several grants are sized in the tens of thousands of dollars, while the foundation’s typical grant size is much smaller, indicating a mix of larger strategic awards and a broader base of smaller grants. Its giving is local in scope and heavily concentrated in Minnesota, where 82% of grants land.
Arts, education, and social services are the clearest recurring themes in the foundation’s grantmaking. In arts, Nicholson Family Foundation awarded $61,687 to Park Square Theater Company for general operations in 2025 and $18,000 to Ordway Center for the Performing Art for general operations in 2025. Education-related support appears through grants such as $30,000 to Metro State University Foundation for general operations in 2024 and $26,909 to St Paul Academy and Summit School for a capital campaign in 2023. In social services, the foundation gave $25,000 to Listening House of St Paul for general operations in both 2024 and 2025, showing sustained support for the same organization. The foundation also made an environmental grant through the Planet Forward Fund, with $25,000 to George Washington University in 2025.
The foundation’s typical grant size is $1,000 at the 25th percentile, $2,000 at the median, and $5,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent records also include larger awards in the $17,600 to $64,606 range, showing that the small-grants pattern coexists with a set of materially larger institutional grants. The grantmaking structure includes both general operating support and restricted support, including capital campaign and endowment funding. It also uses invitation-only multi-year grants alongside Letter of Inquiry cycles, so recipients can be both recurring partners and unsolicited applicants. The foundation funds individuals as well as organizations.
$902K
$15.4M
$1.9M
$1.1M
Most grants fall between $1K and $5K, with a median of $2K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$2K
75th Percentile
$5K
Top 4 recipient countries by grant volume for Nicholson Family Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 482 | $2.5M | 99.4% |
| 2 | South Korea |
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Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Minnesota: 82% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Minnesota is also the top state by grant count. Recent grants cluster in Saint Paul and nearby communities, including Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation, Friends of the St Paul Public Library, Listening House of St Paul, Como Friends, and St Paul Parks and Conservancy. Outside the U.S., the recipient distribution shows one grant each in France, Kenya, and Kansas-listed recipients in the source data.
The foundation supports arts, education, social services, youth development, and general operating needs. Recent grants show that mix in practice, with awards to theater, library, housing, historical, health, and community organizations, plus designated support for the Planet Forward Fund.
Yes. Its Letter of Inquiry-based cycles accept unsolicited submissions, and the published process says LOIs submitted by June 1 are considered for funding in the following calendar year. It also has an invitation-only multi-year grant program that is not open to unsolicited applications.
The foundation’s typical grant size is $1,000 at the 25th percentile, $2,000 at the median, and $5,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include larger grants in the tens of thousands of dollars.
Minnesota is the top state by grant count, and 82% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent grants are concentrated in Saint Paul and other Minnesota organizations.
Yes. The recent record shows repeated support to the same organizations across multiple years, including Ramsey County Historical Society Inc in 2023, 2024, and 2025, Listening House of St Paul in 2024 and 2025, and Park Square Theater Company in 2024 and 2025.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| 1 |
| $5K |
0.2% |
| 3 | France | 1 | $1K | 0.2% |
| 4 | Kenya | 1 | $300 | 0.2% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Current and upcoming funding from Nicholson Family Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Only proposals that meet the foundation's guidelines are considered. Applicants must complete the inquiry form and follow instructions for submitting a narrative proposal.
Deadline: June 1 each cycle
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PARK SQUARE THEATER COMPANY | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $61,687 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $61,556 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| MN HISTORICAL SOCIETY | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $43,237 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| COMMONBOND COMMUNITIES | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $34,401 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| WILDER FOUNDATION AMHERST H | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $32,312 | 2025 | ENDOWMENT |
| METRO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $29,837 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ST PAUL PARKS AND CONSERVANCY | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $27,750 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | PLANET FORWARD FUND |
| LISTENING HOUSE OF ST PAUL | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ALLINA HEALTH FOUNDATION | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $24,467 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| COMO FRIENDS | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $19,100 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ORDWAY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ART | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $18,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| TWIN CITIES PUBLIC TELEVISION INC | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $17,600 | 2025 | ENDOWMENT |
| HISTORY THEATRE INC | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $17,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MOUNDS PARK ACADEMY | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $16,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MN MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FRIENDS OF THE ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $14,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| PEOPLE INCORPORATED | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $14,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SAINT PAUL AND MINNESOTA FOUNDATION | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $14,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MN BOY CHOIR | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $10,175 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, DC | $10,100 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $10,100 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GREATER TWIN CITIES UNITED WAY | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CANVAS HEALTH INC | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE TWIN CITIES | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $8,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| YMCA OF THE GREATER TWIN CITIES | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $8,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SCIENCE MUSEUM OF MN | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $8,100 | 2025 | ENDOWMENT |
| MN STATE FAIR FOUNDATION | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $7,500 | 2025 | ENDOWMENT |
| LANDMARK CENTER | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| NORTHERN STAR COUNCIL | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| LIBERTY CLASSICAL ACADEMY | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $7,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| REGIONS HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MN PUBLIC RADIO | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $6,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS TWIN CITIES AREA | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $6,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| DODGE NATURE CENTER THOMAS IRVINE | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $6,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| PROJECT FOR PRIDE IN LIVING INC | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $6,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| INLAND LAKE YACHTING ASSOCIATION | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FORT SNELLING STATE PARK ASSOCIATION | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ST PAUL ROTARY FOUNDATION | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SCHUBERT CLUB INC | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| UNION GOSPEL MISSION ASSN OF ST PAUL | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| TREEHOUSE INC | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SALVATION ARMY | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| NATIONAL CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION (HOPE ACADEMY) | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | ENDOWMENT |
| DEPAUW UNIVERSITY | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, IN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| JEREMIAH PROGRAM | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| EPISCOPAL HOMES FOUNDATION | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| AFS INTERCULTURAL PROGRAMS USA | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SERVEMN | AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, MN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC
$61,556CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
MN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$43,237GENERAL OPERATIONS
WILDER FOUNDATION AMHERST H
$32,312ENDOWMENT
METRO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$29,837GENERAL OPERATIONS
ST PAUL PARKS AND CONSERVANCY
$27,750GENERAL OPERATIONS
GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
$25,000PLANET FORWARD FUND
LISTENING HOUSE OF ST PAUL
$25,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
HISTORY THEATRE INC
$17,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
MN MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART
$15,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
SAINT PAUL AND MINNESOTA FOUNDATION
$14,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
MN BOY CHOIR
$10,175GENERAL OPERATIONS
NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
$10,100GENERAL OPERATIONS
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
YMCA OF THE GREATER TWIN CITIES
$8,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
SCIENCE MUSEUM OF MN
$8,100ENDOWMENT
MN STATE FAIR FOUNDATION
$7,500ENDOWMENT
LANDMARK CENTER
$7,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
NORTHERN STAR COUNCIL
$7,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
LIBERTY CLASSICAL ACADEMY
$7,500SCHOLARSHIP
REGIONS HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$7,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
MN PUBLIC RADIO
$6,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
AMERICAN RED CROSS TWIN CITIES AREA
$6,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
DODGE NATURE CENTER THOMAS IRVINE
$6,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
INLAND LAKE YACHTING ASSOCIATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
FORT SNELLING STATE PARK ASSOCIATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
ST PAUL ROTARY FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
SCHUBERT CLUB INC
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
UNION GOSPEL MISSION ASSN OF ST PAUL
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
SALVATION ARMY
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
NATIONAL CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION (HOPE ACADEMY)
$5,000ENDOWMENT
DEPAUW UNIVERSITY
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
EPISCOPAL HOMES FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
SERVEMN
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS