M G Nelson Family Foundation
The M G Nelson Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Springfield, Illinois. Established in 2015 and designated as a 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation operates as a private foundation focused on philanthropic giving across multiple states.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$19.4M
+0.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$819K
-2.2% YoY
Grant Count
32
+52.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$26K
-35.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, M G Nelson Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $944K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not specify particular subject areas of focus in its formal documentation. However, based on grant distribution patterns, the foundation has supported projects in the following areas:
- Education, including educational, extra-curricular, and inter-scholastic programs
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Arts and culture
- Community and school gardens
- Environmental education
- Library services
- Science education
Grantmaking
The foundation has supported organizations including:
Grant Range
$500 to $372,911
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects across multiple U.S. states and cities, with primary activity in:
States: Illinois, Florida, Missouri, Texas, and Washington, D.C.
Cities with documented grants: Springfield, Naples, Carbondale, Champaign, Dallas, Estero, Kansas City, North Palm Beach, Panama City, Petersburg, Tallahassee, and Windermere.
The majority of grants are concentrated in Illinois (44 grants) and Florida (20 grants), with smaller activity in Missouri (2 grants).
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $19,306,332
- Annual revenue: $1,017,032
- Annual expenses: $1,049,556
- Total liabilities: $0
Asset Growth: Assets increased 2.6% from the previous year.
The foundation maintains a healthy financial position with no outstanding liabilities and annual giving that represents approximately 4.3% of total assets.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $19,403,748 | $19,306,332 | $19,338,856 |
| Revenue | $1,133,023 | $1,017,032 | $2,224,471 |
| Expenses | $1,035,607 | $1,049,556 | $1,224,907 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $867,874 | $882,454 | $975,792 |
| Net Investment Income | $965,290 | $861,852 | $2,060,565 |
| Distributable Amount | $944,230 | $874,868 | $882,662 |
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
117 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Compass for Kids ($220,000), University of Illinois Foundation ($130,000), Boys & Girls Club of Central Illinois ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARTIS NAPLES NAPLES, FL | SUPPORT ART COMMUNITY IN NAPLES FL AREA | $50,000 |
| BENEVOLENT ORDER OF ELKS OF THE WORLD SPRINGFIELD, IL | TO UNITE ALL ELKS ACROSS THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. | $2,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD, IL | TO ENABLE YOUNG PEOPLE TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL BY PROVIDING CHARACTER BUILDING ACTIVITIES, ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, AND HEALTHY ACTIVITIES. | $100,000 |
| CHATHAM JAYCEES CHATHAM, IL | TO PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP PERSONAL AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS THROUGH LOCAL COMMUNITY SERVICES AND ORGANIZATIONAL INVOLVEMENT. | $2,000 |
| COMPASS FOR KIDS SPRINGFIELD, IL | TO PROVIDE AFTER-SCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMS TO UNDERSERVED CHILDREN IN SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS. | $220,000 |
| CONTACT MINISTRIES SPRINGFIELD, IL | TO PROVIDE FREE, ON-SITE PROGRAM SERVICES AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO POVERTY-LEVEL FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WITH THE SOLE INTENT TO INCREASE THEIR ECONOMICA SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND REDUCE THEIR DEPENDENCY ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE. | $5,000 |
| COPPER COIN BALLET COMPANY SPRINGFIELD, IL | TO FUND COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS AND CREATE EFFORTS OF THE REGION. | $2,000 |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES KANSAS CITY, MO | TO FUND THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES THROUGH ENGAGING, EQUIPPING, AND EMPOWERING COACHES AND ATHLETES. | $5,000 |
| FOLDS OF HONOR FOUNDATION OWASSO, OK | TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR QUALIFYING SPOUSES AND/OR DEPENDENT CHILDREN OF MILITARY SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN. | $5,000 |
| FRIEND IN DEED SPRINGFIELD, IL | TO PROVIDE FOOD TO FOOD-INSECURE CENTRAL ILLINOIS FAMILIES WITH MEALS DURING THE HOLIDAYS. | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Marion G Nelson Jr. serves as Trustee of the foundation, dedicating 20 hours per week to the organization with annual compensation of $89,851.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARION G NELSON JR | TRUSTEE | 20 | $97,911 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does M G Nelson Family Foundation fund?
The foundation does not specify particular subject areas of focus in its formal documentation. However, based on grant distribution patterns, the foundation has supported projects in the following areas: • Education, including educational, extra-curricular, and inter-scholastic programs • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Arts and culture • Community and school gardens • Environmental education • Library services • Science education
How do I apply for a grant from M G Nelson Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2023: $837,500 • Number of grants awarded (2023): 21 grants • Typical grant range: $500 to $372,911 • Median grant amount: $10,000 **Recent Grant Recipients:** The foundation has supported organizations including: • Artis Naples • Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln • Memorial Medical Center Foundation The foundation appears to be open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding.
Where does M G Nelson Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds projects across multiple U.S. states and cities, with primary activity in: **States:** Illinois, Florida, Missouri, Texas, and Washington, D.C. **Cities with documented grants:** Springfield, Naples, Carbondale, Champaign, Dallas, Estero, Kansas City, North Palm Beach, Panama City, Petersburg, Tallahassee, and Windermere. The majority of grants are concentrated in Illinois (44 grants) and Florida (20 grants), with smaller activity in Missouri (2 grants).
What size grants does M G Nelson Family Foundation award?
In 2024, M G Nelson Family Foundation awarded 32 grants totaling $819K — an average of about $26K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is M G Nelson Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, M G Nelson Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $944K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is M G Nelson Family Foundation's EIN?
M G Nelson Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-6678311. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in M G Nelson Family Foundation'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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