Nordlys Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- Nordlys Foundation gives mainly to conservation, education and community development, and its grant record includes land trusts, folk schools, arts and cultural institutions, and community organisations, so work in those areas is the closest fit.
- It makes contributions only to organisations it has preselected and does not accept unsolicited requests, so a cold application is unlikely to be considered; a better first step is an introduction through someone who already knows the foundation.
- A modest request fits well: about 8 in 10 of its grants to organisations fall between $5,000 and $125,000, and half were $15,000 or less, although its largest grant was $400,000.
- The filing shows that 54% of its grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had also funded in earlier filings, which suggests that an ongoing relationship matters more than competing for open funds.
- No geographic focus is stated, so the filing does not show whether it funds outside New York and Minnesota, and that is worth checking before you approach it.
Overview
Nordlys Foundation is a US private foundation based in Saratoga Springs, NY.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and web pages about the foundation (roadscholar.org), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Nordlys Foundation describes its giving as funding a variety of conservation, education and community development projects. It also works to establish paid internships that create opportunities for the next generation and encourage commitment to the Adirondacks, the environment, hospice, the arts, communities and the global community. Its grant record shows support for land-trust and conservation organisations, folk schools, arts and cultural institutions, and community organisations. In its own terms, its work spans environmental stewardship, learning and community development, alongside the development of future leaders.
Themes
- Conservation
- Education
- Community development
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in New York and Minnesota.
How to apply
The foundation makes contributions to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 54% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 57 grants to organisations were $15,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 17% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 54% of grant dollars went to organisations Nordlys Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 25 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $40,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Adirondack Land Trust · Program support$400,0002024 tax year
- American Swedish Institute · Kaffestugan project$375,0002024 tax year
- North House Folk School · Program support$300,0002024 tax year
- Camp Stomping Ground · Program support$140,0002024 tax year
- Pitney Meadows Community · Program support$125,0002024 tax year
- South Colonie CSD · Program support$123,0002024 tax year
- Saratoga Performing Arts Center · Program support$100,0002024 tax year
- Adirondack Council · Program support$100,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Kenneth Glaser — Director
- Susan Bokan — Treasurer
- Kimara Gustafson — Director
- Barbara Glaser — President
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $287,194 | $277,380 | $2,397,753 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $251,452 | $237,000 | $2,621,662 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $2,057,983 | $2,039,500 | $8,090,064 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Nordlys Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
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Contact
- Saratoga Springs, NY
Applying to Nordlys Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Saratoga Springs, NY