George W Neilson Foundation
The George W. Neilson Foundation is a private foundation based in Bemidji, Minnesota. Established in 1962, it supports community projects and programs serving the Bemidji region, including work in arts, education, environment, health, youth, and economic development.
Key facts about George W Neilson Foundation
In short: George W Neilson Foundation gave $1.6M across 34 grants in 2025 (avg $46K), mostly in Minnesota. 54% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 41-6022186
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,579,712
- Grants made (2025)
- 34
- Average grant
- $46,462
- Median grant
- $25,500
- New grantees (estimate)
- 54% first-time grantees (15 of 28, 2025)
- Total assets
- $30,454,241
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation’s website provides an application process for proposals. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The website says applications should be received by the first Wednesday of the month for consideration at that month’s…
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$30.5M
+1.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.6M
+12.9% YoY
Grant Count
34
+13.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$46K
-0.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, George W Neilson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.8M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is George W Neilson Foundation open to new grantees?
54%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 15 of 28 grantees (54%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $67K; repeat grants $44K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $30K repeat.
- 32% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+0%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 96% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to fund community projects and programs that benefit and serve the Bemidji region and improve quality of life. Its guidelines welcome projects that improve community life, foster cohesion, support revitalization, create a positive community image, or respond to specific community needs. It considers both capital projects and new programming, and emphasizes matching funds, community contributions, and resources sufficient to sustain programs after startup.
Its 2025 grants included support for a mobile mammography unit, workforce development, youth programming, science education, scholarships, internships, and facility construction or renovation. The foundation’s application guidelines call for grants to not-for-profit organizations; its 2025 filing states that awards are restricted to qualified charitable organizations.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 34 grants totaling $1,579,712. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $400,000, with a median of $25,500. Its largest reported awards included $400,000 to Sanford Foundation for a mobile mammography lab; $250,000 to Neilson Fieldhouse for building renovation; $125,000 to Greater Bemidjimi2 for workforce development; and $100,000 to Boys and Girls Club of the Bemidji Area for 2025 programming.
Review Cycle
. The filing names Suzanne Liapis as the application contact and calls for a general outline of the proposal.
How to Apply
for proposals. Applications are reviewed monthly; the filing lists qualified charitable organizations as the restriction on awards.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from George W Neilson Foundation
Ready to take the next step with George W Neilson Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it serves the Bemidji region. In 2025, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Minnesota and 1% to recipients in North Dakota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 34 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
159 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SANFORD FOUNDATION Bemidji, MN | MOBILE MAMMO LAB | $400,000 |
| NEILSON FIELDHOUSE Bemidji, MN | BUILDING RENOVATION | $250,000 |
| GREATER BEMIDJIMI2 Bemidji, MN | WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT | $125,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE BEMIDJI AREA Bemidji, MN | PROGRAMMING 2025 | $100,000 |
| HEADWATERS SCIENCE CENTER Bemidji, MN | 3 YEAR ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT | $62,000 |
| BSUNTCGREATER BEMIDJIMI2 Bemidji, MN | MARKET STUDY | $50,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE BEMIDJI AREA Bemidji, MN | CAPITAL PROJECT/STORAGE, OFFICE | $50,000 |
| NO MN ROBOTICS CONFERENCE Bemidji, MN | FACILITY CONSTRUCTION | $50,000 |
| BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION Bemidji, MN | FUND SCHOLARSHIPS | $40,000 |
| HEADWATERS SHOOTING SPORTS FOUNDATION Bemidji, MN | EQUIPMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE | $39,400 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Grant total | Number of grants |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,579,712 | 34 |
| 2024 | $1,398,763 | 30 |
| 2023 | $1,481,722 | 34 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $30,454,241 | $30,068,975 | $30,474,937 |
| Revenue | $2,245,700 | $1,252,896 | $965,247 |
| Expenses | $1,860,434 | $1,658,858 | $1,708,489 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,694,900 | $1,511,188 | $1,584,908 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,107,121 | $1,122,355 | $846,854 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,774,043 | $1,694,301 | $1,528,599 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 13, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 4, 2026)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 4, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Suzanne Liapis, Paul Welle, James Naylor, Glen Lindseth, and Mark Dickinson as trustees. The foundation’s website says George W. Neilson established the foundation in 1962 and that his daughter, Katharine Neilson Cram, served as executive director until her death in 2000.
George W Neilson Foundation's 2025 filing lists 5 officers; all 5 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Glen Lindseth
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$12K (2020) → $15K (2025)
James Naylor
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$12K (2020) → $15K (2025)
Mark Dickinson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$12K (2020) → $15K (2025)
Paul Welle
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$12K (2020) → $15K (2025)
Suzanne Liapis
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$12K (2020) → $11K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
Contact
Application contact: Suzanne Liapis
Mailing address: PO Box 692, Bemidji, MN 56619
Phone: (218) 444-4963
Website: https://www.gwnf.org
Frequently asked questions about George W Neilson Foundation
How much does George W Neilson Foundation give each year?
George W Neilson Foundation gave $1.6M across 34 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.4M across 30 grants.
What is George W Neilson Foundation's typical grant size?
George W Neilson Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,500, and its average grant was $46,462, across 34 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from George W Neilson Foundation that year got $67K on average.
Where does George W Neilson Foundation give grants?
George W Neilson Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Bemidji, MN (31 grants).
Does George W Neilson Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 34 grants with a stated purpose on George W Neilson Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Fund Scholarships" (3 grants).
Who are George W Neilson Foundation's largest grantees?
George W Neilson Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Sanford Foundation ($400,000), Neilson Fieldhouse ($250,000) and Boys and Girls Club of the Bemidji Area ($150,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 51% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is George W Neilson Foundation?
George W Neilson Foundation reported $30.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does George W Neilson Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to fund community projects and programs that benefit and serve the Bemidji region and improve quality of life. Its guidelines welcome projects that improve community life, foster cohesion, support revitalization, create a positive community image, or respond to specific community needs. It considers both capital projects and new programming, and emphasizes matching funds, community contributions, and resources sufficient to sustain programs after startup. Its …
How do I apply for a grant from George W Neilson Foundation?
The foundation’s website provides an application process for proposals. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is George W Neilson Foundation's EIN?
George W Neilson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-6022186. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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