James and Aune Nelson Foundation
The James and Aune Nelson Foundation is a private foundation based in Godfrey, Illinois. Its 2022 filing lists grants to organizations in Illinois and Missouri, including grants for general operations, a legal defense fund, an educator grant, a water diversion project, and burn equipment.
James and Aune Nelson Foundation at a glance
In short: James and Aune Nelson Foundation gave $1.1M across 10 grants in 2022 (avg $110K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2022)
- $1,095,500
- +9.3% vs 2021
- Grants made (2022)
- 10
- -23.1% vs 2021
- Average grant
- $109,550
- +42.1% vs 2021
- Median grant
- $22,500
- Total assets
- $18,682,295
- -3.6% vs 2021
- Primary geography
- Illinois (99% of itemized 2022 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2022 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2022; updated October 2026.
How to apply to James and Aune Nelson Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation stated in its 2022 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. This is a statement from the 2022 filing, not current application guidance.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 5146, Godfrey, IL 62035
Phone: (618) 463-0700
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who James and Aune Nelson Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2022
The largest 2022 recipient was The Natrue Institute ($595K). Together the top 9 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
38 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 29 grants of 38 (76%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2022, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois and 1% to recipients in Missouri.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2022 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
Cities
How James and Aune Nelson Foundation gives
- In 2022 it paid out 103% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2022, annual grant giving ranged from $969K (2020) to $1.1M (2022). In 2022 it made 10 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Natrue Institute Godfrey, IL | General Operations | $595,000 |
| Sierra Club Foundation Alton, IL | General Operations | $200,000 |
| Great Rivers Land Trust Alton, IL | General Operations | $193,000 |
| Great Rivers Land Trust Alton, IL | Legal Defense Fund | $27,500 |
| Mississippi River Confluence East Alton, IL | General Operations | $25,000 |
| Treehouse Wildlife Center Inc Dow, IL | General Operations | $20,000 |
| Riverlands Audubon Center West Alton, MO | Educator Grant | $15,000 |
| Friends of Pere Marquette Grafton, IL | Water Diversion Project | $13,000 |
| Lewis & Clark Community College Godfrey, IL | NGRREC Operations | $5,000 |
| Southern Illinois Prescribed Burn Golconda, IL | Burn Equipment | $2,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $18,682,295 | $556,507 | $1,263,712 | $1,095,500 | 10 | $1,102,958 | $353,752 | $1,075,072 |
| 2021 | $19,376,803 | $2,068,390 | $1,183,999 | $1,002,405 | 13 | $1,017,051 | $1,709,164 | $1,173,344 |
| 2020 | $18,485,976 | $790,481 | $1,136,425 | $968,950 | 15 | — | $641,231 | $1,040,218 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, James and Aune Nelson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2022 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2022 grants went to organizations including land, river, wildlife, and community organizations. Treehouse Wildlife Center, a 2022 grantee, describes its own mission as rehabilitating injured and abused wildlife and, when their condition warrants, acclimating them back into their surroundings.
Grantmaking
In 2022, the foundation reported 10 grants totaling $1,095,500. Grant amounts ranged from $2,000 to $595,000, with a median of $22,500.
Among the largest grants were $595,000 to The Nature Institute for general operations, $200,000 to Sierra Club Foundation for general operations, and $193,000 to Great Rivers Land Trust for general operations. Great Rivers Land Trust also received $27,500 for its legal defense fund. Other grants included $25,000 to Mississippi River Confluence for general operations and $20,000 to Treehouse Wildlife Center.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2022 filing lists Matt Schrimpf as president, Robert McClellan as secretary, and Cory Gallivan as treasurer. Directors listed were Rick Dyer, Warren Copple, Amitie Flynn, John Lovseth, Lisa Nielsen, and Anita Cooper.
James and Aune Nelson Foundation is led by Matt Schrimpf, President on the 2022 filing; none of the 9 officers listed in 2022 report compensation.
Officers on the 2022 filing
Matt Schrimpf
President
New on the 2022 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anita Cooper
Director
Vice President → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amitie Flynn
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Lovseth
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Nielsen
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rick Dyer
Director
Secretary → Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Warren Copple
Director
New on the 2022 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert McClellan
Secretary
Treasurer → Director, 2021
Director → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cory Gallivan
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Craig Dixon (2021) — Director
- Former: Richard Snyder (2021) — Director
- Former: Dianne White (2020) — Director
- Former: Felicia Breen (2020) — Secretary
- Former: Laura Asher (2020) — Director
- Former: Mike Fitzgerald (2020) — President
- Former: Patti Brown (2020) — Director
- Former: Shannon Briggs (2020) — Director
- Former: Steve Thompson (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2022. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about James and Aune Nelson Foundation
How much does James and Aune Nelson Foundation give each year?
James and Aune Nelson Foundation gave $1.1M across 10 grants in 2022, according to its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2021 it gave $1.0M across 13 grants.
What is James and Aune Nelson Foundation's typical grant size?
James and Aune Nelson Foundation's median grant in 2022 was $22,500, and its average grant was $109,550, across 10 grants on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does James and Aune Nelson Foundation give grants?
James and Aune Nelson Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Alton, IL (3 grants) and Godfrey, IL (2 grants).
Does James and Aune Nelson Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 50% of James and Aune Nelson Foundation's 2022 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are James and Aune Nelson Foundation's largest grantees?
James and Aune Nelson Foundation's largest 2022 grantees include The Natrue Institute ($595,000), Great Rivers Land Trust ($220,500 across 2 grants) and Sierra Club Foundation ($200,000), according to its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 93% of its itemized 2022 grant dollars.
How large is James and Aune Nelson Foundation?
James and Aune Nelson Foundation reported $18.7M in total assets on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does James and Aune Nelson Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2022 grants went to organizations including land, river, wildlife, and community organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from James and Aune Nelson Foundation?
The foundation stated in its 2022 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is James and Aune Nelson Foundation's EIN?
James and Aune Nelson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 37-1371840. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2022.
Does James and Aune Nelson Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2022
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