The Margaret Ellen Nielsen Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests, so a cold proposal is not the way in; a group should first seek a personal introduction or another existing connection.
- Its recorded giving is strongest for Christian fellowships and church-related ministry, with youth education, schools, universities and international development and humanitarian relief also appearing, so work in those areas is the closest match.
- Most of its grants are modest: about 8 in 10 fall between $5,000 and $125,000, and the median is about $10,000, so a request near that size is typical, though its largest grant was $250,000, so that band is not a ceiling.
- Repeat funding is a notable part of its giving, with 23% of its grant dollars going to organisations it had also funded in earlier filings, which suggests existing ties may count for something.
- Its geographic focus is not stated; its grants have mainly gone to Florida, Massachusetts, Wisconsin and Ohio, but that is a pattern rather than a rule, so groups elsewhere should not rule themselves out.
Overview
The Margaret Ellen Nielsen Foundation is a US private foundation based in Wilmington, DE.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2025, TY2024, TY2023) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The filings show grants to Christian fellowships and church-related organisations, alongside youth organisations, schools, universities and other charities. A substantial strand of the recorded giving supports Christian ministry through fellowship programmes, leadership training, discipleship, scripture engagement and church facilities. Other grants support youth education and campus projects, as well as general and unrestricted purposes. The record also includes international development and humanitarian relief projects, including water, sanitation and health work and terror relief. This summarises recorded awards; the filings do not give a general statement of funding priorities or applicant eligibility.
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Florida, Massachusetts, Wisconsin and Ohio.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2025 filing, 23% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2023 or TY2024 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2023, TY2024 and TY2025 filings, half of its 52 grants to organisations were about $10,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2023–2025.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 7%
Outside the US or with no state on the filing: 1%
- The largest single recipient received 20% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2025, 23% of grant dollars went to organisations The Margaret Ellen Nielsen Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 14% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 14 grants in tax year 2025 by size
Median $25,000 (tax year 2025)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund · Steven E. and Elizabeth T. Nielsen Gift Fund$250,0002025 tax year
- Williams College · Alumni Fund$150,0002025 tax year
- Urban Youth Impact · Complete the Campus$125,0002025 tax year
- InterVarsity Christian Fellowship USA · Forming Faithful Leaders Campaign$65,0002025 tax year
- Urban Youth Impact · Carver Christian Academy of Urban Youth Impact$50,0002025 tax year
- Lever · General & Unrestricted$50,0002025 tax year
- SIM USA · Support for the African Strategic Discipleship Movement$25,0002025 tax year
- Southwick Civic Fund · Richard Atkinson Fund$25,0002025 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Steven Nielsen — President, Director
- Elizabeth Nielsen — Director, Secretary, Treasurer
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 tax year | $576,761 | $471,900 | $14,555,896 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $811,236 | $544,300 | $25,073,269 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
| 2025 tax year | $1,184,535 | $802,500 | $41,447,806 | Filing for 2025 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 The Margaret Ellen Nielsen Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Wilmington, DE
Applying to The Margaret Ellen Nielsen Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Wilmington, DE