Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson
The Karl H. and Wealtha H. Nelson Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Nebraska City, Nebraska. Established in 1997 by Wealtha H. Nelson before her death in 1998, the foundation continues the philanthropic legacy of Karl Hershey Nelson and Wealtha Harding Nelson, lifelong residents of Nebraska City who were committed to supporting their hometown's growth and development.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$213K
+3.5% YoY
Grant Count
21
+23.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$10K
-16.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports charitable organizations with a focus on:
- Health Care
- Historic Preservation
- Education
- Fine Arts
- Community Development
The foundation prioritizes projects that enhance the local community's well-being and cultural heritage, seeking to fund both established organizations and new initiatives that demonstrate clear commitment to these goals and community relevance.
Grantmaking
Review Cycle
of September 15.
How to Apply
** Grant applications are accepted with a deadline of September 15.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports charitable organizations in Nebraska City and the surrounding Nebraska region.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $2,098,496
- Total Giving: $212,500
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
92 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include City of Nebraska City ($60,000), Nebraska City Historical Society ($24,500), City of Nebraska City ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ST MARY'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION NEBRASKA CITY, NE | GROWING GREAT KIDS IN SOUTHEAST NEBRASKA PROGRAM | $10,000 |
| NEBRASKA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION INC NEBRASKA CITY, NE | HIGH ABILITY LEARNER PROGRAM | $3,000 |
| NEBRASKA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION INC NEBRASKA CITY, NE | BAND INSTRURMENTS | $5,000 |
| NEBRASKA CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FOUNDATION LINCOLN, NE | CAMP CATCH UP AT CAMP CATRON | $10,000 |
| NEBRASKA CITY HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEBRASKA CITY, NE | OPERATING | $24,500 |
| NEBRASKA CITY HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI FOUNDATION NEBRASKA CITY, NE | SCHOLARSHIPS | $5,000 |
| NEBRASKA CITY HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI FOUNDATION NEBRASKA CITY, NE | OPERATING | $1,000 |
| KREGEL WINDMILL FACTORY MUSEUM NEBRASKA CITY, NE | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING | $12,500 |
| CIVIL WAR VETERANS MUSEUM NEBRASKA CITY, NE | RESTORATION OF BANNERS | $8,000 |
| NEBRASKA CITY FINE ARTS COMMITTEE NEBRASKA CITY, NE | MISSOULA CHILDREN'S THEATER | $4,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Karl Hershey Nelson and Wealtha Harding Nelson were the founders. Both were natives of Nebraska City, graduated from Nebraska City High School and the University of Nebraska. Karl Nelson worked for Otoe Food Products Co. (later Morton House Kitchens), eventually becoming its president.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| REN NELSON | TRUSTEE | 1 | $3,000 |
| SUSAN WIRTH | TRUSTEE | 1 | $1,000 |
| GEORGE BLAZEK | SECRETARY | 1 | $1,000 |
| ANDREW GRIER | TREASURER | 1 | $1,000 |
| SARA B CROOK | PRESIDENT | 1 | $1,000 |
| JASON MCNEELY | TRUSTEE | 1 | $1,000 |
| TAMMY PARTSCH | TRUSTEE | 1 | $1,000 |
| CATHERINE HANNEBERT | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | $1,000 |
| NICHOLAS H NELSON | TRUSTEE | 1 | $1,000 |
Contact Information
Address: 601 Central Avenue, Suite 105, Nebraska City, NE 68410
Phone: 402-873-3949
Email: nelsonfamilyfd@gmail.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson fund?
The foundation supports charitable organizations with a focus on: • Health Care • Historic Preservation • Education • Fine Arts • Community Development The foundation prioritizes projects that enhance the local community's well-being and cultural heritage, seeking to fund both established organizations and new initiatives that demonstrate clear commitment to these goals and community relevance.
How do I apply for a grant from Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $1,000 to $60,000. **Application Process:** Grant applications are accepted with a deadline of September 15. **Recent Activity:** The foundation distributed $212,500 in total giving according to recent financial data.
Where does Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson make grants?
The foundation primarily supports charitable organizations in Nebraska City and the surrounding Nebraska region.
What size grants does Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson award?
In 2024, Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson awarded 21 grants totaling $213K — an average of about $10K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson's EIN?
Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3879767. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Karl H and Wealtha H Nelson's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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