The Nimick Forbesway Foundation makes a small number of large, program-specific grants focused on higher-education fellowships and experiential learning for children, with a secondary interest in targeted conservation work. Their funding typically creates named fellowships or specific capital/program support (playground, museum exhibits, field conservation projects), suggesting a preference for visible, project-based investments that build institutional capacity or public access.
A defining pattern for the Nimick Forbesway Foundation is its use of sizable, project-specific grants to create named fellowships, exhibits, and public-access improvements. Recent awards include a fellowship program at Washington University School of Law, a fellowship in art and archaeology at Princeton University, and support for the International Crane Foundation’s work in Zambia’s Kafue Flats. That mix shows a funder comfortable backing both higher-education scholarship and place-based conservation work. The foundation also supports community-facing projects that are visible to the public. Grants have funded a new museum exhibit at Mount Vernon, renovations at St Paul’s School, and playground support for the Children’s Institute Foundation. In cultural and educational settings, its gifts often align with a specific program, exhibit, or scholarship rather than broad institutional operating support. Another thread is targeted support for children and youth. Recent grants have gone to the Madison Children’s Museum for a nature exhibit and access work, to The Neighborhood Academy for scholarships, and to Hilltop Urban Farm for youth-farm programming. Across these areas, the foundation’s grantmaking favors defined initiatives with clear institutional or community outcomes.
In higher education, the foundation has made program-specific awards that create named opportunities for students and fellows. Washington University School of Law received $200,000 for the Nimick Forbesway Foundation Fellowship Program, and Princeton University received $116,667 for the Nimick Fellowship in Art and Archeology and Service Fund Scholarship Fund. Its youth and education support also includes early-learning and school-based programming. The Children’s Institute Foundation received $200,000 for a playground fund, while Hilltop Urban Farm received $31,750 to support the Youth Farm, the Farmer Incubator Program, and the Community/Youth Farm Orchards. On the cultural side, the foundation has funded museum and public-history work. Mount Vernon Ladies Association of the Union received $100,000 for a new museum exhibit, and the Senator John Heinz History Center received $100,000 for America 101: Civic Knowledge in Action. Environmental giving appears in conservation projects tied to specific places, including $100,000 to the International Crane Foundation for work with the Kafue Flats of Zambia.
$1.3M
$19.8M
$1.7M
$1.5M
Most grants fall between $25K and $50K, with a median of $40K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$40K
75th Percentile
$50K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in PA.
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Concentrated grantmaking: few but large grants that are program- or project-specific (named fellowships, capital/exhibit support). Tends to fund established institutions rather than many small organizations, and supports a mix of higher education, children's learning spaces, and focused conservation projects.
Notable grantees: Washington University School of Law, Trustees of Princeton University, Childrens Institute Foundation, International Crane Foundation, Madison Children’s Museum
The foundation’s recent grants cluster around mid-sized awards, with a typical range of $25,000 at the 25th percentile, $40,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The latest 990 year on file is 2025, and the annual grants total is $2,560,417 against $19,631,559 in assets. The pattern is more program-based than recurring by default: several recipients appear in multiple years, including the Allegheny Cemetery Historical Association, Groundswell Conservancy, Rock Creek Conservancy, Thomas Paine National Historical Association, The Neighborhood Academy, and Conservation International-related grantees. The foundation funds individuals through fellowships and scholarships, alongside institutional grants. Its grants are distributed nationally, and the record shows project support, general support, and unrestricted awards.
Grants are nationally distributed, with the strongest concentration in Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh appears repeatedly, including grants to the Children’s Institute Foundation, Senator John Heinz History Center, Allegheny Cemetery Historical Association, The Neighborhood Academy, Fred Rogers Productions, Global Links, Hilltop Urban Farm, and Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Madison, Wisconsin is another frequent destination through Madison Children’s Museum, Literacy Network, Groundswell Conservancy, and Centro Hispano. Other notable recipient locations include Baraboo, Arlington, Bethesda, New Rochelle, and Princeton. All listed recipient grants in the dataset are in the United States.
The foundation tends to make defined, project-specific grants. Recent examples include named fellowships, museum exhibits, playground support, chapel and gatehouse renovations, scholarship funds, and conservation work tied to specific habitats such as Zambia’s Kafue Flats.
Yes. Recent awards include $200,000 to Washington University School of Law for the Nimick Forbesway Foundation Fellowship Program and $116,667 to Trustees of Princeton University for the Nimick Fellowship in Art and Archeology and Service Fund Scholarship Fund.
Typical awards are in the mid-range: the 25th percentile is $25,000, the median is $40,000, and the 75th percentile is $50,000. Recent grants also include larger outliers such as $200,000 awards.
Pennsylvania is the top state by grant count, and Pittsburgh appears frequently among recipients. The record also shows awards in Wisconsin, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Missouri, and New Hampshire.
No. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including the Allegheny Cemetery Historical Association, Groundswell Conservancy, Rock Creek Conservancy, Thomas Paine National Historical Association, The Neighborhood Academy, and Conservation International-related grantees.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHILDRENS INSTITUTE FOUNDATION | PITTSBURGH, PA | $200,000 | 2026 | Playground funds |
| TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY | PRINCETON, NJ | $116,667 | 2026 | Nimick Fellowship in Art and Archeology and Service Fund Scholarship Fund |
| INTERNATIONAL CRANE FOUNDATION INC | BARABOO, WI | $100,000 | 2026 | To support ICF's work with the Kafue Flats of Zambia |
| MADISON CHILDRENS MUSEUM INC | MADISON, WI | $75,000 | 2026 | Nature Exhibit, Caretakes of Wonder, and Access for Everyone |
| ARCHIPELAGO BOOKS INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $65,000 | 2026 | To support for two ambitious long-term projects from Argentina: a two-volume edition of Julio Cortzar's letters and a five-volume series of Quino's Mafalda, for the second and third volumes of the Mafalda series |
| ST PAULS SCHOOL | CONCORD, NH | $50,000 | 2026 | Support of the renovation of the interior of the Chapel of St. Peter and St. Paul |
| ALDO LEOPOLD NATURE CENTER INC | MONONA, WI | $50,000 | 2026 | Access For All: Ensuring Educational Equity for Underserved Youth Initiative (AFA) |
| LITERACY NETWORK INC | MADISON, WI | $50,000 | 2026 | Citizenship Program: Supporting Immigrants with Naturalization |
| ROCK CREEK CONSERVANCY INC | BETHESDA, MD | $50,000 | 2026 | In support of the Carter Barron Ampitheater |
| MADISON PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION INC | MADISON, WI | $50,000 | 2026 | The Imagination Center at Reindahl Park |
| FORWARD THEATER COMPANY | MADISON, WI | $50,000 | 2026 | Future Forward Endowment Campaign |
| GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH | MADISON, WI | $50,000 | 2026 | Replacement and repair of the slate roof system on the original 1858 nave |
| UPSTREAM POLICY INSTITUTE INC | DAMARISCOTTA, ME | $50,000 | 2026 | Best Waste Reduction Idea for America's Best Idea |
| PIEDMONT ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL | WARRENTON, VA | $35,000 | 2026 | Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative |
| GROUNDSWELL CONSERVANCY INC | MADISON, WI | $31,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| CHILDRENS THEATER OF MADISON INC | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | CTM's Ensure the Future Campaign |
| BAYVIEW FOUNDATION INC | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | Youth Programming Support and Stabilization Program |
| SOUTHERN TIER ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES INC | LIGONIER, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | To help the transition from the current Ligonier Therapeutic Center curriculum to a nationwide educational training program |
| FORT LIGONIER ASSOCIATION | LIGONIER, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| MADISON PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION INC | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | Teacher Support Network |
| MADISON MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART INC | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | Youth Education Programs |
| CAFE MOMENTUM PITTSBURGH | DALLAS, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | To support the Education Program |
| CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY | PITTSBURGH, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | Mars Exhibition at the Carnegie Science Center |
| MADISON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC | MADISON, WI | $15,000 | 2026 | Young People's Concert Series |
| TICKETS FOR KIDS FOUNDATION | PITTSBURGH, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | TFK Cultural Access Program |
| LOYALHANNA WATERSHED ASSOCIATION INC | LIGONIER, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | Conservation Education Program |
| COUNCIL OF LITERARY MAGAZINES AND PRESSES | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | General Support for Publication of Conjunctions: Issue 85 |
| CHILDRENS INSTITUTE FOUNDATION | PITTSBURGH, PA | $200,000 | 2025 | Playground fund |
| TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY | PRINCETON, NJ | $116,667 | 2025 | Nimick Fellowship in Art and Archeology and Service Fund Scholarship Fund |
| MADISON CHILDRENS MUSEUM INC | MADISON, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | Nature Exhibit, Caretakes of Wonder, and Access for Everyone |
| INTERNATIONAL CRANE FOUNDATION INC | BARABOO, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | To support ICF's work with the Kafue Flats of Zambia |
| ALLEGHENY CEMETERY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION | PITTSBURGH, PA | $75,000 | 2025 | In support of the Allegheny Cemetery Historical Association's revitalization of the Butler Street Gatehouse |
| CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION | ARLINGTON, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | the Wallacea region of Indonesia through Conservation International's ongoing project focusing on the coastal and marine ecosystems of the Indonesian portion of the Wallacea biodiversity hotspot which forms parts of the Coral Triangle and the global center for marine biodiversity |
| THE FRED ROGERS COMPANY | PITTSBURGH, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | Alma's Way |
| THE NEIGHBORHOOD ACADEMY | PITTSBURGH, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | general scholarship fund |
| ROCK CREEK CONSERVANCY INC | BETHESDA, MD | $50,000 | 2025 | Carter Barron Ampitheater |
| CENTRO HISPANO INC | MADISON, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| THOMAS PAINE NATIONAL HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION | NEW ROCHELLE, NY | $40,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| HILLTOP URBAN FARM | PITTSBURGH, PA | $31,750 | 2025 | To support programming the Youth Farm, the Farmer Incubator Program, and the Community/Youth Farm Orchards |
| GROUNDSWELL CONSERVANCY INC | MADISON, WI | $31,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| CAFE MOMENTUM PITTSBURGH | DALLAS, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | Education Program Fund |
| EDUCATION BLUEPRINT | PITTSBURGH, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| READING READY PITTSBURGH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | Free Book Store and Family Friendly Spaces |
| INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CONFERENCES INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| SOUTHERN TIER ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES INC | LIGONIER, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | To help the transition from the current Ligonier Therapeutic Center curriculum to a nationwide educational training program |
| MADISON MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART INC | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | Youth Education Programs |
| NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | Anacostia Park Youth Development and Health & Wellness programs |
| MADISON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC | MADISON, WI | $15,000 | 2025 | Youth Programs |
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW | ST LOUIS, MO | $200,000 | 2023 | NIMICK FORBESWAY FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM |
| INTERNATIONAL CRANE FOUNDATION | BARABOO, WI | $100,000 | 2023 | KAFUE FLATS OF ZAMBIA SUPPORT |
CHILDRENS INSTITUTE FOUNDATION
$200,000Playground funds
TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
$116,667Nimick Fellowship in Art and Archeology and Service Fund Scholarship Fund
To support ICF's work with the Kafue Flats of Zambia
Nature Exhibit, Caretakes of Wonder, and Access for Everyone
ARCHIPELAGO BOOKS INC
$65,000To support for two ambitious long-term projects from Argentina: a two-volume edition of Julio Cortzar's letters and a five-volume series of Quino's Mafalda, for the second and third volumes of the Mafalda series
Support of the renovation of the interior of the Chapel of St. Peter and St. Paul
Access For All: Ensuring Educational Equity for Underserved Youth Initiative (AFA)
LITERACY NETWORK INC
$50,000Citizenship Program: Supporting Immigrants with Naturalization
GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$50,000Replacement and repair of the slate roof system on the original 1858 nave
Best Waste Reduction Idea for America's Best Idea
GROUNDSWELL CONSERVANCY INC
$31,000General & Unrestricted
SOUTHERN TIER ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES INC
$25,000To help the transition from the current Ligonier Therapeutic Center curriculum to a nationwide educational training program
CAFE MOMENTUM PITTSBURGH
$25,000To support the Education Program
CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
$25,000Mars Exhibition at the Carnegie Science Center
TICKETS FOR KIDS FOUNDATION
$10,000TFK Cultural Access Program
COUNCIL OF LITERARY MAGAZINES AND PRESSES
$10,000General Support for Publication of Conjunctions: Issue 85
CHILDRENS INSTITUTE FOUNDATION
$200,000Playground fund
TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
$116,667Nimick Fellowship in Art and Archeology and Service Fund Scholarship Fund
Nature Exhibit, Caretakes of Wonder, and Access for Everyone
To support ICF's work with the Kafue Flats of Zambia
ALLEGHENY CEMETERY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
$75,000In support of the Allegheny Cemetery Historical Association's revitalization of the Butler Street Gatehouse
CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION
$50,000the Wallacea region of Indonesia through Conservation International's ongoing project focusing on the coastal and marine ecosystems of the Indonesian portion of the Wallacea biodiversity hotspot which forms parts of the Coral Triangle and the global center for marine biodiversity
THOMAS PAINE NATIONAL HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
$40,000General & Unrestricted
To support programming the Youth Farm, the Farmer Incubator Program, and the Community/Youth Farm Orchards
GROUNDSWELL CONSERVANCY INC
$31,000General & Unrestricted
CAFE MOMENTUM PITTSBURGH
$25,000Education Program Fund
EDUCATION BLUEPRINT
$25,000General & Unrestricted
READING READY PITTSBURGH
$25,000Free Book Store and Family Friendly Spaces
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CONFERENCES INC
$25,000General & Unrestricted
SOUTHERN TIER ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES INC
$25,000To help the transition from the current Ligonier Therapeutic Center curriculum to a nationwide educational training program
Anacostia Park Youth Development and Health & Wellness programs
NIMICK FORBESWAY FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM