The Nicholson Family Foundation
Historical FunderPetaluma, California · EIN 77-0444787 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2025)$313K
Organizations funded49
Typical grant$5,000
Total assets$9M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $5,000 and $10,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2025):
| Contact | KELSEY NICHOLSON |
|---|---|
| Address | 6691 MORO STREET, PETALUMA CA 94954 |
| Phone | 5106533117 |
| Form and materials | CONTACT KELSEY NICHOLSON FOR DETAIL INFORMATION (510)653-3117 |
| Deadlines | N/A |
| Restrictions | N/A |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
4% of grants went outside California.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Mark Children's House | San Leandro, CA | General operating expenses. pediatric hospice. | $25,000 |
| Artogether | Oakland, CA | General operating expenses. multi-year grant. arts & education programs. | $10,000 |
| Be a Mentor Inc | Hayward, CA | General operating expenses. multi-year grant. education programs. | $10,000 |
| Berkeley Art Center | Berkeley, CA | General operating expenses. arts & educational support. | $10,000 |
| Camping Unlimited | Boulder Creek, CA | General operating expenses. multi-year grant. social enrichment for disabled youth. | $10,000 |
| First Graduate | San Francisco, CA | General operating expenses. multi-year grant. education. | $10,000 |
| Hack the Hood | Oakland, CA | General operating expenses. multi-year grant. arts & education programs. | $10,000 |
| Hospice of Santa Cruz | Scotts Valley, CA | General operating expenses. social & educational programs. | $10,000 |
| Performing Arts Workshop | San Francisco, CA | General operating expenses. multi-year grant. performing arts programs. | $10,000 |
| San Francisco Mime Troupe | San Francisco, CA | General operating expenses. multi-year grant. arts & education programs. | $10,000 |
| San Francisco Youth Theatre | San Francisco, CA | General operating expenses. multi-year grant. performing arts programs. | $10,000 |
| Survivors Healing Center | Santa Cruz, CA | General operating expenses. multi-year grant. social services. | $10,000 |
| Tides Center First Exposures | San Francisco, CA | First exposures multi-year grant. youth social & arts leadership programs. | $10,000 |
| Ultimate Impact | Oakland, CA | General operating expenses. multi-year grant. youth leadership. | $10,000 |
| Vista Center for the Blind | Palo Alto, CA | General operating expenses. multi-year grant. social services. | $10,000 |
| Ala Costa Centers | Berkeley, CA | General operating expenses. social & education programs. | $5,000 |
| Animal Assisted Happiness Inc | Sunnyvale, CA | General operating expenses. social & education programs. | $5,000 |
| Aspire Education | Oakland, CA | General operating expenses. education programs. | $5,000 |
| Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music | Santa Cruz, CA | General operating expenses. preforming arts programs. | $5,000 |
| Children Rising | Oakland, CA | General operating expenses. environmental education programs. | $5,000 |
| City Surf Project | San Francisco, CA | General operating expenses. social & education programs. | $5,000 |
| Coastal Watershed Council | Santa Cruz, CA | General operating expenses. social & education programs. | $5,000 |
| Elevate Tutoring | Mountain View, CA | General operating expenses. social & education programs. | $5,000 |
| Farm Discovery at Live Earth | Watsonville, CA | General operating expenses. social & educational outdoor programs. | $5,000 |
| Foodwhat Inc | Santa Cruz, CA | General operating expenses. youth leadership and food justice program. | $5,000 |
| Girlventures | Oakland, CA | General operating expenses. youth leadership outdoor programs. | $5,000 |
| Golden Gate Performing Arts | San Francisco, CA | General operating expenses. preforming arts programs. | $5,000 |
| Judicial District Vii Casa Program | Idaho Falls, ID | General operating expenses. discretionary funds. community programs. | $5,000 |
| Kala Art Institute | Berkeley, CA | General operating expenses. arts & educational support. | $5,000 |
| Loved Twice | Oakland, CA | General operating expenses. social services. | $5,000 |
| Mission Bit | San Francisco, CA | General operating expenses. educational support. | $5,000 |
| New Life Center | Goodyear, AZ | General operating expenses. discretionary funds. community programs. | $5,000 |
| Prescott Circus Theatre | Oakland, CA | General operating expenses. youth theater & enrichment programs. | $5,000 |
| Project Commotion | San Francisco, CA | General operating expenses. youth movement & enrichment programs. | $5,000 |
| Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History | Santa Cruz, CA | General operating expenses. arts & education programs. | $5,000 |
| Skills of Life Cafe | Capitola, CA | General operating expenses. social & educational programs. | $5,000 |
| Sustainability and Community Health Initiative | Sunnyvale, CA | General operating expenses. social & educational programs. kids in nutrition. | $5,000 |
| Teen Kitchen Project | Soquel, CA | General operating expenses. social & educational programs. | $5,000 |
| The Reach Foundation | Palo Alto, CA | General operating expenses. social & educational programs. | $5,000 |
| Young Audiences of Northern California | San Francisco, CA | General operating expenses. arts & educational support. | $5,000 |
| Young Steamers | Fremont, CA | General operating expenses. educational support. | $5,000 |
| Zaccho Dance Theatre | San Francisco, CA | General operating expenses. performing arts programs. | $5,000 |
| High Fives Foundation | Truckee, CA | General operating expenses. social & educational programs. | $2,000 |
| Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes | Watsonville, CA | General operating expenses. holiday donations. | $2,000 |
| Piedmont Community Church | Piedmont, CA | General operating expenses. holiday donations. | $2,000 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank | Watsonville, CA | General operating expenses. holiday donations. | $2,000 |
| Valley Churches United | Ben Lomond, CA | General operating expenses. holiday donations. | $2,000 |
| Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County | Santa Cruz, CA | General operating expenses. holiday donations. | $2,000 |
| Independent Arts & Media | San Francisco, CA | Fiscal sponsor for cushion works. discretionary funds. arts programming. | $1,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $313,000 | 49 |
| 2024 | $337,000 | 45 |
| 2023 | $322,670 | 48 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed Mar 13, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202640729349100529
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 77-0444787
- 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.