John D and Alexandra C Nichols Family Foundation
Invitation OnlyWinnetka, Illinois · EIN 36-3858388 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2025)$5.6M
Organizations funded37
Typical grant$10,000
Total assets$98.3M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $1,500 and $25,000.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2025 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
21% of grants went outside Illinois.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art Institute of Chicago | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $3,275,000 |
| Music Institute of Chicago | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $912,750 |
| Writers Theatre | Glencoe, IL | Unrestricted | $650,000 |
| Winnetka Community House | Winnetka, IL | Unrestricted | $200,000 |
| Wttw | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $158,000 |
| Harris Theater | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $100,000 |
| Joffrey Ballet | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $100,000 |
| Lincoln Park Zoo | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $35,000 |
| Ucan | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $30,000 |
| Field Museum | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation | Arlington, VA | Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Shirley Ryan Ability Lab | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Chicago Botanic Garden | Glencoe, IL | Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| American Red Cross of Chicago & N Illinois | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $12,394 |
| Better Government Assn | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Girl Scouts Gcnwi | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Millennium Park Foundation | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Paws Chicago | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Ravinia Festival Association | Highland Park, IL | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Antiquarian Society - Aic | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $5,500 |
| Chicago Public Library Foundation | Glenview, IL | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| School of the Art Institute of Chicago | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Friends of the Green Bay Trail | Glencoe, IL | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Lyric Opera | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Women's Board of the Field Museum | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Ita (Institute for Therapy Through the Arts) | Evanston, IL | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| Doctors Without Borders | Hagerstown, MD | Unrestricted | $1,500 |
| New Trier Township Food Pantry | Winnetka, IL | Unrestricted | $1,500 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Chattanooga | Atlanta, GA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Evans Scholar Foundation | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| International House | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Paws of Honor | Merrifield, VA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Vested Interest in K9's Inc | East Tauton, MA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Friends of the Library Winnetka-Northfield | Northfield, IL | Unrestricted | $500 |
| Indian Hill Club (Ihc) Scholarship Foundation | Winnetka, IL | Unrestricted | $500 |
| Smiling Dog Farms | Houston, TX | Unrestricted | $100 |
| Veterans of Foreign Wars | Milford, NH | Unrestricted | $100 |
Grants approved for future payment
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music Institute of Chicago | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $1,000,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,647,344 | 38 |
| 2024 | $5,416,480 | 44 |
| 2023 | $6,393,925 | 44 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed May 15, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202631359349103538
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 36-3858388
- Profile updated Nov 5, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.