Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation
The Karl H. and Wealtha H. Nelson Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Omaha, Nebraska. It provides financial support for worthy projects in the an individual recipient area, with stated areas of charitable endeavor including health care, historical preservation, education, fine arts, and community development.
Key facts about Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation
In short: Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation gave $213K across 21 grants in 2024 (avg $10K), mostly in Nebraska. 39% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 36-3879767
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $212,500
- Grants made (2024)
- 21
- Average grant
- $10,119
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 39% first-time grantees (7 of 18, 2024; small sample)
- Total assets
- $2,098,496
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Submit a written application request that includes the purpose of the request. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- Applications are due annually by September 15; the application form says there are no exceptions.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 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 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.1M
-7.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$213K
+3.5% YoY
Grant Count
21
+23.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$10K
-16.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $196K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation open to new grantees?
39%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 7 of 18 grantees (39%) were first-time recipients. With only 18 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $16K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $8K repeat.
- 44% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−18%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 126% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 purpose is to support worthy projects in the an individual recipient area. Its statement of aims identifies health care, historical preservation, and education among its focus areas; its grant program description also names fine arts and community development.
Recent grantees illustrate the range of supported work. The Kregel Windmill Factory Museum says its mission includes preserving the historic windmill factory and educating the public about windmill manufacturing. St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation describes its mission as improving the health of the people it serves, especially vulnerable people. The University of Nebraska Foundation says it grows relationships and resources to enable the university to change lives and save lives. Southeast Community College’s foundation says it supports the college’s vitality and growth and creates educational opportunities.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 21 grants totaling $212,500. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $60,000, with a median of $5,000. Notable awards included $60,000 to the City of an individual recipient for trails, $24,500 to the an individual recipient Historical Society for operating support, and $20,000 to the City of an individual recipient for park playground equipment. Other grants included $12,500 to Kregel Windmill Factory Museum for educational programming, $10,000 to St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation for the Growing Great Kids in Southeast Nebraska program, and $8,000 to the University of Nebraska Foundation for a scholarship.
Review Cycle
Applications are due annually by September 15; the application form says there are no exceptions.
How to Apply
Submit a written application request that includes the purpose of the request. The application asks about the project, requested amount, funds available or pledged, and the benefit to an individual recipient and the Otoe County area. It also calls for a brief project outline and a copy of the applicant’s IRS tax-exempt determination letter. The filing states that awards are primarily made to organizations and local governments in Otoe County, Nebraska, and that the foundation also awards scholarships to students from Otoe County.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation
Ready to take the next step with Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated purpose is to support projects in the an individual recipient area. Its filing says awards are primarily made to organizations and local governments in Otoe County, Nebraska, and that it awards scholarships to students from Otoe County. All reported 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Nebraska.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 21 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $205K (2023) to $319K (2020). In 2024 it made 21 grants totaling $213K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was City of Nebraska City ($85K across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $185K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($5,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
92 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 85 grants of 92 (92%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| City of Nebraska City Nebraska City, NE | Nebraska City Trails | $60,000 |
| Nebraska City Historical Society Nebraska City, NE | Operating | $24,500 |
| City of Nebraska City Nebraska City, NE | Park Playground Equipment | $20,000 |
| Kregel Windmill Factory Museum Nebraska City, NE | Educational Programming | $12,500 |
| St Mary's Hospital Foundation Nebraska City, NE | Growing Great Kids in Southeast Nebraska Program | $10,000 |
| Nebraska Children and Families Foundation Lincoln, NE | Camp Catch up at Camp Catron | $10,000 |
| Nebraska City Musuem Assocation Nebraska City, NE | Director | $10,000 |
| St Benedict Catholic Church Nebraska City, NE | Tables and Dollies for Parish Hall | $8,500 |
| Civil War Veterans Museum Nebraska City, NE | Restoration of Banners | $8,000 |
| University of Nebraska Foundation Lincoln, NE | Scholarship | $8,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Grants awarded | Grant count |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $212,500 | 21 |
| 2023 | $205,325 | 17 |
| 2022 | $232,200 | 20 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,098,496 | $2,278,507 | $2,221,107 |
| Revenue | $113,589 | $209,849 | $108,790 |
| Expenses | $299,267 | $272,680 | $312,922 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $246,643 | $205,325 | $232,200 |
| Net Investment Income | $60,965 | $142,494 | $28,068 |
| Distributable Amount | $196,131 | $170,471 | $191,084 |
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 November 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 22, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 30, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 4, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Sara B. Crook as president, Catherine Hannebert as vice president, George Blazek as secretary, and Andrew Grier as treasurer. Trustees listed are Ren Nelson, Susan Wirth, Jason McNeely, Tammy Partsch, and Nicholas H. Nelson.
Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation is led by Sara B. Crook, President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); all 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sara B. Crook
President
Trustee → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$1K (2020) → $1K (2024)
Jason McNeely
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$1K (2020) → $1K (2024)
Nicholas H. Nelson
Trustee
President → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$1K (2020) → $1K (2024)
Ren Nelson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$1K (2020) → $3K (2024)
Susan Wirth
Trustee
Vice President → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$1K (2020) → $1K (2024)
Tammy Partsch
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$1K (2020) → $1K (2024)
Andrew Grier
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$1K (2020) → $1K (2024)
Catherine Hannebert
Vice President
Trustee → President, 2022
President → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$1K (2020) → $1K (2024)
George Blazek
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$1K (2023) → $1K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Catherine Hassebert (2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $3K, to REN Nelson (Trustee). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Application contact: Keitha Thomson
Mailing address: 601 Central Avenue Suite 105, Nebraska City, NE 68410
Phone: (402) 873-3285
Website: https://nelsonfamilyfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation
How much does Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation give each year?
Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation gave $213K across 21 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $205K across 17 grants.
What is Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $10,119, across 21 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation that year got $6K on average.
Where does Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation give grants?
Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation gives mostly in Nebraska: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Nebraska City, NE (15 grants) and Lincoln, NE (4 grants).
Does Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 10% of Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 21) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (4 grants).
Who are Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include City of Nebraska City ($85,000 across 3 grants), Nebraska City Historical Society ($24,500) and Kregel Windmill Factory Museum ($12,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($5,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 57% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation?
Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation reported $2.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $247K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $196K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose is to support worthy projects in the an individual recipient area. Its statement of aims identifies health care, historical preservation, and education among its focus areas; its grant program description also names fine arts and community development. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation?
Submit a written application request that includes the purpose of the request. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation's EIN?
Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3879767. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson Family Foundation by hand.
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