The Lori and David Nicholas Family Foundation makes relatively few but large, place-based gifts focused on protecting land and strengthening community infrastructure in northeastern Wisconsin. Their grants concentrate on environmental conservation and research, local community development (including farm preservation and workforce housing), accessible public spaces, and support for a Catholic Jesuit school — often via designated, project-specific awards. They favor repeat, sizable commitments to a small set of regional partners rather than many small, one-off grants.
A defining feature of The Lori and David Nicholas Family Foundation Inc is its repeated use of designated, project-specific grants to build land, trail, and community assets in Door County and nearby Wisconsin communities. The foundation’s recent awards include major support for the HSB Farm Preservation Fund through the Door County Community Foundation, plus a series of commitments to The Ridges Sanctuary for master plan implementation, research equipment tied to a UW–Madison partnership, and broader conservation and education work. It also backs physical improvements at places such as Nativity Jesuit Academy, where grants have supported a green space initiative and a capital campaign to finish the lower level of Camp Thunderhead’s Lakeview Lodge. The pattern is place-based and focused on tangible outcomes: preserving farms, protecting natural areas, improving public access, and strengthening local institutions. Grants also reach community-serving projects in Milwaukee, Sturgeon Bay, Egg Harbor, and Fish Creek. The foundation’s recent portfolio shows support for environmental stewardship, accessible outdoor infrastructure, workforce housing, library technology, and school-based site improvements, with many awards made to the same regional partners across multiple years.
Land conservation and farm preservation are central to the foundation’s giving. In 2024 and 2025, it gave $300,000 and $250,000 to Door County Community Foundation Inc, each designated for the HSB Farm Preservation Fund. It also supported The Ridges Sanctuary Inc with $300,000 in 2024 and $270,000 in 2025, including master plan implementation and equipment for a research project with UW–Madison. Outdoor recreation and accessible public spaces are another clear theme. Afar Inc received $350,000 in 2025 for the Universal Park Project, and Friends of Peninsula State Park Inc received $200,000 in 2025 and $120,000 in 2024 for mountain bike trail work. The foundation also funds community services and education. Door County Community Foundation Inc received $250,000 in 2024 for workforce housing needs, while South Central Library System Foundation received $150,000 in 2025 for technology and genealogy areas in the Monroe Public Library.
$2.8M
$52.4M
$4.8M
$2.9M
Most grants fall between $20K and $105K, with a median of $53K.
25th Percentile
$20K
Median
$53K
75th Percentile
$105K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated, high-dollar, project-designated grants to a small number of repeat regional grantees; mix of capital and program support tied to specific initiatives rather than unrestricted operating funding.
Notable grantees: Nativity Jesuit Academy, The Ridges Sanctuary, Inc., Door County Community Foundation, AFAR Inc.
Typical grants are substantial: the p25 is $20,000, the median is $52,500, and the p75 is $105,000. The recent record shows both one-time awards and repeat support, especially for Door County Community Foundation Inc, The Ridges Sanctuary Inc, Friends of Peninsula State Park Inc, Nativity Jesuit Academy, Grand Avenue Club Inc, and Uwm Foundation Inc across 2024 and 2025. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF. Its awards are usually project-specific or designated, with some capital campaign support and occasional general operating support, such as a 2025 grant to Reflo Inc.
Giving is highly concentrated in Wisconsin, with 94% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Within the recent grant list, Milwaukee appears frequently, along with Sturgeon Bay, Fish Creek, Baileys Harbor, and Egg Harbor in Door County. The top giving state by count is Colorado, but the recent grants provided here are all to US recipients, and the recipient-country distribution is entirely domestic.
Recent grants show support for land and farm preservation, conservation and ecological research, accessible parks and trails, workforce housing, library improvements, behavioral health, and Catholic/K–12 Jesuit education. Many awards are designated for a specific project or capital campaign rather than broad unrestricted support.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Door County Community Foundation Inc, The Ridges Sanctuary Inc, Friends of Peninsula State Park Inc, Nativity Jesuit Academy, Grand Avenue Club Inc, and Uwm Foundation Inc. That suggests a pattern of recurring support for selected partners.
The grant-size distribution is relatively large: the 25th percentile is $20,000, the median is $52,500, and the 75th percentile is $105,000. Recent awards also include several grants in the $100,000 to $350,000 range.
Most grants go to Wisconsin recipients, with 94% of grants in the HQ state. Recent awards cluster in Milwaukee and Door County communities such as Sturgeon Bay, Fish Creek, Baileys Harbor, and Egg Harbor.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATIVITY JESUIT ACADEMY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $600,000 | 2026 | DESIGNATED FOR THE NICHOLAS FAMILY FIELD |
| FRIENDS OF PENINSULA STATE PARK INC | FISH CREEK, WI | $300,000 | 2026 | DESIGNATED FOR THE MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL PROJECT. |
| THE RIDGES SANCTUARY INC | BAILEYS HARBOR, WI | $265,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT PHASE 0 OF THE MASTER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT TO USE IN THE RESEARCH PROJECT WITH UW MADISON. |
| DOOR COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC | STURGEON BAY, WI | $250,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE GREENHOUSE, RESTORATION AND OPERATIONAL NEEDS AT HORSESHOE BAY |
| DOOR COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC | STURGEON BAY, WI | $250,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE DOOR COUNTY WINTER COMMONS CAMPAIGN, SISTER BAY ICE RINK |
| FRIENDS OF THE DOMES INC - MILWAUKEE DOMES ALLIANCE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $200,000 | 2026 | DESIGNATED FOR THE RESTORATION/RENOVATION PROJECT |
| AFAR INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $200,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE UNIVERSAL PARK PROJECT. |
| UWM FOUNDATION INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $100,000 | 2026 | DESIGNATED TO THE CENTER FOR WATER POLICY AT THE SCHOOL OF FRESHWATER SCIENCES. |
| DOOR COUNTY BOOKMOBILE | EGG HARBOR, WI | $85,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE BOOKMOBILE RENOVATION AND OPERATIONAL NEEDS. |
| PENINSULA SCHOOL OF ART INC | FISH CREEK, WI | $75,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM AND THE DIRECTOR SALARY FOR THE DOOR COUNTY PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL. |
| RADIO MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $70,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE 'UNIQUELY MILWAUKEE' AUDIO SHORTS. |
| THE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $50,000 | 2026 | DESIGNATED FOR APHASIA RESEARCH. SPECIFICALLY LANGUAGE LAB IN MEMORY OF GINNY WAGNER |
| ST JUDE THE APOSTLE SCHOOL | MILWAUKEE, WI | $50,000 | 2026 | DESIGNATED FOR SECURITY UPGRADES |
| VILLAGE OF EGG HARBOR PEG EGAN PAC | EGG HARBOR, WI | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE PEG EGAN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. |
| REFLO INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT. |
| FRIENDS OF SCHLITZ AUDUBON NATURE CENTER INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $30,000 | 2026 | DESIGNATED FOR THE SCHLITZ AUDUBON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER. |
| GATHERING WATERS INC | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT. TO STRENGTHEN LAND TRUSTS TO PROTECT WI'S SPECIAL PLACES & GROW HEALTHY, VIBRANT COMMUNITIES. |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE BLR | GREEN BAY, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | DESIGNATED TO SUPPORT THE DOOR COUNTY BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB CHAPTER |
| GUMBO LIMBO COSTAL STEWARDS INC | BOCA RATON, FL | $23,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT SEA TURTLE REHABILITATION EFFORTS |
| NORTHWOODS LAND TRUST INC | EAGLE RIVER, WI | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT. |
| TALL PINES CONSERVANCY INC | NASHOTAH, WI | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT. |
| OZAUKEE WASHINGTON LAND TRUST INC | WEST BEND, WI | $15,000 | 2026 | LANDSCAPE RESTORATION SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| THE AEMILIAN PRESCHOOL INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT TRAINING FOR THE WELLPOINT CARE NETWORK AND CLASSROOM NEEDS. |
| THE CONGREGATION OF HOLY ANGELS | WEST BEND, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | DESIGNATED FOR SECURITY UPGRADES AT HOLY ANGELS ELEMENTARY |
| DOOR SHAKESPEARE INC | BAILEYS HARBOR, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | DESIGNATED FOR THE EMPLOYEE HOUSING INITIATIVE. |
| TOSA TONIGHT | WAUWATOSA, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT. |
| THE KIPSONGO PROJECT INC | HEARTLAND, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES |
| AFAR INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $350,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE UNIVERSAL PARK PROJECT. |
| NATIVITY JESUIT ACADEMY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $300,000 | 2025 | DESIGNATED FOR THE GREEN SPACE INITIATIVE. |
| THE RIDGES SANCTUARY INC | BAILEYS HARBOR, WI | $270,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT PHASE 0 OF THE MASTER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT TO USE IN THE RESEARCH PROJECT WITH UW MADISON. |
| DOOR COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC | STURGEON BAY, WI | $250,000 | 2025 | DESIGNATED FOR THE HSB FARM PRESERVATION FUND. |
| FRIENDS OF PENINSULA STATE PARK INC | FISH CREEK, WI | $200,000 | 2025 | DESIGNATED FOR THE MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL PROJECT. |
| SOUTH CENTRAL LIBRARY SYSTEM FOUNDATION | MADISON, WI | $150,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TECHNOLOGY AND GENEALOGY AREAS IN THE MONROE PUBLIC LIBRARY |
| REFLO INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT. |
| DCMC | STURGEON BAY, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAM. |
| FRIENDS OF THE DOMES INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | DESIGNATED FOR THE RESTORATION/RENOVATION PROJECT |
| VILLAGE OF EGG HARBOR PEG EGAN PAC | EGG HARBOR, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE PEG EGAN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. |
| UWM FOUNDATION INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | DESIGNATED TO THE CENTER FOR WATER POLICY AT THE SCHOOL OF FRESHWATER SCIENCES. |
| GRAND AVENUE CLUB INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN. TO UPGRADE APPLIANCES IN CULINARY UNIT AS WEL AS ADD ADDITIONAL APPLIANCES TO CURRENT SPACE. |
| PENINSULA SCHOOL OF ART INC | FISH CREEK, WI | $75,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM AND THE DIRECTOR SALARY FOR THE DOOR COUNTY PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL. |
| DOOR COUNTY BOOKMOBILE | EGG HARBOR, WI | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPPERATING SUPPORT. |
| FRIENDS OF SCHLITZ AUDUBON NATURE CENTER INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $30,000 | 2025 | DESIGNATED FOR THE SCHLITZ AUDUBON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER. |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF GREEN BAY | GREEN BAY, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | DESIGNATED TO SUPPORT THE DOOR COUNTY BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB CHAPTER |
| RADIO MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE 'UNIQUELY MILWAUKEE' AUDIO SHORTS. |
| GATHERING WATERS INC | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT. TO STRENGTHEN LAND TRUSTS TO PROTECT WI'S SPECIAL PLACES & GROW HEALTHY, VIBRANT COMMUNITIES. |
| DOOR COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | STURGEON BAY, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | DESIGNATED FOR THE BAILEYS HARBOR OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION FUND. |
| DOOR SHAKESPEARE INC | BAILEYS HARBOR, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | DESIGNATED FOR THE EMPLOYEE HOUSING INITIATIVE. |
| OZAUKEE WASHINGTON LAND TRUST INC | WEST BEND, WI | $15,000 | 2025 | LANDSCAPE RESTORATION SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| THE AEMILIAN PRESCHOOL INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $12,010 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TRAINING FOR THE WELLPOINT CARE NETWORK AND CLASSROOM FURNITURE. |
| BRECKENRIDGE OUTDOOR EDUCATION CTR | BRECKENRIDGE, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT. |
NATIVITY JESUIT ACADEMY
$600,000DESIGNATED FOR THE NICHOLAS FAMILY FIELD
FRIENDS OF PENINSULA STATE PARK INC
$300,000DESIGNATED FOR THE MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL PROJECT.
THE RIDGES SANCTUARY INC
$265,000TO SUPPORT PHASE 0 OF THE MASTER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT TO USE IN THE RESEARCH PROJECT WITH UW MADISON.
TO SUPPORT THE GREENHOUSE, RESTORATION AND OPERATIONAL NEEDS AT HORSESHOE BAY
TO SUPPORT THE DOOR COUNTY WINTER COMMONS CAMPAIGN, SISTER BAY ICE RINK
FRIENDS OF THE DOMES INC - MILWAUKEE DOMES ALLIANCE
$200,000DESIGNATED FOR THE RESTORATION/RENOVATION PROJECT
DESIGNATED TO THE CENTER FOR WATER POLICY AT THE SCHOOL OF FRESHWATER SCIENCES.
DOOR COUNTY BOOKMOBILE
$85,000TO SUPPORT THE BOOKMOBILE RENOVATION AND OPERATIONAL NEEDS.
TO SUPPORT THE ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM AND THE DIRECTOR SALARY FOR THE DOOR COUNTY PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL.
DESIGNATED FOR APHASIA RESEARCH. SPECIFICALLY LANGUAGE LAB IN MEMORY OF GINNY WAGNER
ST JUDE THE APOSTLE SCHOOL
$50,000DESIGNATED FOR SECURITY UPGRADES
VILLAGE OF EGG HARBOR PEG EGAN PAC
$50,000TO SUPPORT THE PEG EGAN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER.
FRIENDS OF SCHLITZ AUDUBON NATURE CENTER INC
$30,000DESIGNATED FOR THE SCHLITZ AUDUBON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER.
GENERAL SUPPORT. TO STRENGTHEN LAND TRUSTS TO PROTECT WI'S SPECIAL PLACES & GROW HEALTHY, VIBRANT COMMUNITIES.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE BLR
$25,000DESIGNATED TO SUPPORT THE DOOR COUNTY BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB CHAPTER
GUMBO LIMBO COSTAL STEWARDS INC
$23,000TO SUPPORT SEA TURTLE REHABILITATION EFFORTS
NORTHWOODS LAND TRUST INC
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT.
OZAUKEE WASHINGTON LAND TRUST INC
$15,000LANDSCAPE RESTORATION SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS.
THE AEMILIAN PRESCHOOL INC
$10,000TO SUPPORT TRAINING FOR THE WELLPOINT CARE NETWORK AND CLASSROOM NEEDS.
THE CONGREGATION OF HOLY ANGELS
$10,000DESIGNATED FOR SECURITY UPGRADES AT HOLY ANGELS ELEMENTARY
DOOR SHAKESPEARE INC
$10,000DESIGNATED FOR THE EMPLOYEE HOUSING INITIATIVE.
TOSA TONIGHT
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT.
THE KIPSONGO PROJECT INC
$5,000FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES
NATIVITY JESUIT ACADEMY
$300,000DESIGNATED FOR THE GREEN SPACE INITIATIVE.
THE RIDGES SANCTUARY INC
$270,000TO SUPPORT PHASE 0 OF THE MASTER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT TO USE IN THE RESEARCH PROJECT WITH UW MADISON.
DESIGNATED FOR THE HSB FARM PRESERVATION FUND.
FRIENDS OF PENINSULA STATE PARK INC
$200,000DESIGNATED FOR THE MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL PROJECT.
SOUTH CENTRAL LIBRARY SYSTEM FOUNDATION
$150,000TO SUPPORT TECHNOLOGY AND GENEALOGY AREAS IN THE MONROE PUBLIC LIBRARY
DCMC
$100,000TO SUPPORT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAM.
FRIENDS OF THE DOMES INC
$100,000DESIGNATED FOR THE RESTORATION/RENOVATION PROJECT
VILLAGE OF EGG HARBOR PEG EGAN PAC
$100,000TO SUPPORT THE PEG EGAN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER.
DESIGNATED TO THE CENTER FOR WATER POLICY AT THE SCHOOL OF FRESHWATER SCIENCES.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN. TO UPGRADE APPLIANCES IN CULINARY UNIT AS WEL AS ADD ADDITIONAL APPLIANCES TO CURRENT SPACE.
TO SUPPORT THE ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM AND THE DIRECTOR SALARY FOR THE DOOR COUNTY PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL.
DOOR COUNTY BOOKMOBILE
$75,000GENERAL OPPERATING SUPPORT.
FRIENDS OF SCHLITZ AUDUBON NATURE CENTER INC
$30,000DESIGNATED FOR THE SCHLITZ AUDUBON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF GREEN BAY
$25,000DESIGNATED TO SUPPORT THE DOOR COUNTY BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB CHAPTER
GENERAL SUPPORT. TO STRENGTHEN LAND TRUSTS TO PROTECT WI'S SPECIAL PLACES & GROW HEALTHY, VIBRANT COMMUNITIES.
DESIGNATED FOR THE BAILEYS HARBOR OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION FUND.
DOOR SHAKESPEARE INC
$20,000DESIGNATED FOR THE EMPLOYEE HOUSING INITIATIVE.
OZAUKEE WASHINGTON LAND TRUST INC
$15,000LANDSCAPE RESTORATION SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS.
THE AEMILIAN PRESCHOOL INC
$12,010TO SUPPORT TRAINING FOR THE WELLPOINT CARE NETWORK AND CLASSROOM FURNITURE.