The NYSSA Foundation concentrates on supporting regional environmental conservation and community knowledge institutions in the Delaware/Chester County area, providing unrestricted/general support to mission-driven nonprofits. Grants are directed to watershed science and nature organizations alongside a public library, signaling a blend of place-based environmental stewardship and local civic infrastructure funding.
A small number of mid-sized unrestricted operating grants focused on a tight geographic region; concentrated, targeted support rather than broad or numerous small awards.
Nyssa Foundation C/o the Fourth Floor’s recent giving is anchored by a $40,444 general-operations grant to Stroud Water Research in Avondale, Pennsylvania. That size and purpose fit a broader pattern of unrestricted support for mission-driven nonprofits working in environmental conservation, freshwater research, and local civic life. The foundation has also backed Delaware Nature Society with multiple general-operations grants, including awards of $25,858 in 2024 and $24,197 in both 2023 and 2024, showing repeated support for the same regional partner over time. Alongside conservation groups, the foundation has funded community knowledge institutions such as Kennett Library in Kennett Square and Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington, suggesting an interest in the organizations that shape place-based learning and public access to information. The grant record also reaches beyond a single program area. General-operations support has gone to Planned Parenthood of Delaware, The Ethel Walker School, and National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) - Delaware, indicating a flexible approach that centers organizational sustainability rather than tightly restricted project funding. The consistent use of general support is a defining feature of the funder’s approach.
Environmental conservation is a clear theme. Nyssa Foundation C/o the Fourth Floor gave $25,858 to Delaware Nature Society in 2024 and $24,197 in both 2023 and 2024, all for general operations, which points to sustained support for nature education and regional conservation work. Freshwater science is another strand: the $40,444 grant to Stroud Water Research in Avondale, Pennsylvania was also for general operations. The foundation also supports civic and cultural institutions. Kennett Library received $25,347 in 2024 for general operations, while Delaware Art Museum received $10,331 for the same purpose. In community infrastructure, Delaware Center for Horticulture appears with grants of $2,500 in 2023 and 2024, plus a $1,000 award in 2024, all for general operations. These gifts show a preference for operational support across environmental, cultural, and public-service organizations.
The typical grant size clusters in the low five-figure range: p25 is $4,375, median is $10,222, and p75 is $13,953. The recent record also includes a larger outlier at $40,444, but most awards sit well below that level. Repeat support is visible in the data, with Delaware Nature Society, Willistown Conservation Trust, National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) - Delaware, Delaware Botanic Gardens, and Delaware Center for Horticulture each appearing in multiple years. The foundation is structured as a private foundation and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Grants shown here are all general-operations awards, indicating a core-support orientation rather than project-specific funding.
$238K
$1.6M
$138K
$221K
Most grants fall between $4K and $14K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$4K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$14K
About 50% of grants go to recipients in DE.
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Notable grantees: Stroud Water Research (watershed science), Delaware Nature Society (regional conservation and education), Kennett Library (local public library services)
Giving is regional, with 50% of grants going to recipients in Delaware, the foundation’s top state by grant count. Pennsylvania also appears frequently through recipients in Avondale, Kennett Square, West Chester, and Newtown Square. Delaware recipients in the recent list include Hockessin, Wilmington, and Ocean View. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 20 grants to U.S. organizations.
The recent grants are all listed as General Operations, including awards to Stroud Water Research, Delaware Nature Society, Kennett Library, and Delaware Center for Horticulture. That pattern points to unrestricted, core operating support rather than tightly specified project grants.
Yes. Delaware Nature Society appears in both 2023 and 2024, Willistown Conservation Trust appears in 2023 and 2024 with multiple grants, and Delaware Center for Horticulture appears in 2023 and 2024 as well. National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) - Delaware and Delaware Botanic Gardens also recur across years.
The grants go to nonprofit organizations across environmental, cultural, educational, and community-serving sectors. Examples in the recent record include watershed research, nature conservation, a public library, an art museum, a school, and a public health organization, all supported with general-operations funding.
The grant-size distribution centers on modest operating awards: p25 is $4,375, the median is $10,222, and p75 is $13,953. Recent grants range from $1,000 to $40,444 in the data provided.
Most grants go to Delaware recipients, which accounts for 50% of grants in the data and is the top state by grant count. Pennsylvania is also a frequent destination, with recipient cities including Avondale, Kennett Square, West Chester, and Newtown Square.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stroud Water Research | Avondale, PA | $40,444 | 2024 | General Operations |
| Delaware Nature Society | Hockessin, DE | $25,858 | 2024 | General Operations |
| Kennett Library | Kennett Square, PA | $25,347 | 2024 | General Operations |
| Delaware Nature Society | Hockessin, DE | $24,197 | 2024 | General Operations |
| The Ethel Walker School | Simsbury, CT | $10,538 | 2024 | General Operations |
| Delaware Art Museum | Wilmington, DE | $10,331 | 2024 | General Operations |
| Planned Parenthood of Delaware | Wilmington, DE | $10,292 | 2024 | General Operations |
| Brandywine Red Clay Alliance | West Chester, PA | $10,232 | 2024 | General Operations |
| Willistown Conservation Trust | Newtown Square, PA | $10,222 | 2024 | General Operations |
| Willistown Conservation Trust | Newtown Square, PA | $10,184 | 2024 | General Operations |
| National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) - Delaware | Orinda, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | General Operations |
| National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) - Delaware | Orinda, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | General Operations |
| Delaware Center for Horticulture | Wilmington, DE | $2,500 | 2024 | General Operations |
| Delaware Botanic Gardens | Ocean View, DE | $2,500 | 2024 | General Operations |
| Delaware Center for Horticulture | Wilmington, DE | $1,000 | 2024 | General Operations |
| Delaware Nature Society | Hockessin, DE | $24,197 | 2023 | General Operations |
| Willistown Conservation Trust | Newtown Square, PA | $10,222 | 2023 | General Operations |
| National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) - Delaware | Orinda, CA | $5,000 | 2023 | General Operations |
| Delaware Botanic Gardens | Ocean View, DE | $2,500 | 2023 | General Operations |
| Delaware Center for Horticulture | Wilmington, DE | $2,500 | 2023 | General Operations |
Stroud Water Research
$40,444General Operations
Delaware Nature Society
$25,858General Operations
Kennett Library
$25,347General Operations
Delaware Nature Society
$24,197General Operations
The Ethel Walker School
$10,538General Operations
Delaware Art Museum
$10,331General Operations
Planned Parenthood of Delaware
General Operations
Brandywine Red Clay Alliance
$10,232General Operations
Willistown Conservation Trust
$10,222General Operations
Willistown Conservation Trust
$10,184General Operations
National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) - Delaware
$5,000General Operations
National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) - Delaware
$5,000General Operations
Delaware Center for Horticulture
$2,500General Operations
Delaware Botanic Gardens
$2,500General Operations
Delaware Center for Horticulture
$1,000General Operations
Delaware Nature Society
$24,197General Operations
Willistown Conservation Trust
$10,222General Operations
National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) - Delaware
$5,000General Operations
Delaware Botanic Gardens
$2,500General Operations
Delaware Center for Horticulture
$2,500General Operations