Nelson & Vera Hicks Charitable Fdn

MADISON, WI EIN: 39-1582654

The Nelson G and Vera C Hicks Charitable Foundation is a private foundation based in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. The foundation was established in 1987 and operates as a 501(c)(3) organization.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

Annual Giving

$261K

+8.8% YoY

Grant Count

47

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$6K

+8.7% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation's grantmaking focuses on:

  • Education
  • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
  • Human Services
  • Higher Education
  • Science and STEM Education
  • Scholarship programs
  • Mortgage reduction
  • Research funding
  • General funding for Alzheimer's units and hospice care
  • Administrative support

Grantmaking

Average Grant

amount and median grant amount data available but not specified in sources

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation's grant-making is primarily focused on Wisconsin and Illinois.

Grant Distribution by State

2states

Cities

BEAVER DAMCHICAGOEDGERTONFOX LAKEHORICONHUSTIFORDIRON RIDGEJUNEAULOMIRAMADISONNEW LONDONRANDOLPHREESEVILLETHERESAWATERTOWNWAUPUNWISCONSIN DELLS

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of 2024:

  • Total assets: $2,431,413
  • Total giving: $261,000
  • Total revenues: $295,335
  • Total expenses: $266,781
  • Number of employees: 0
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$0.275$0.55$0.8250000000000001$1.1201920202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
Distributable Amount

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$74K$149K$223K$298K48 grants201946 grants202044 grants202147 grants202247 grants202347 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

ST AMBROSE ACADEMY$25KCHURCH HEALTH SERVICES$15KBEAVER DAM SCHOLARSHIP F…$13KMADISON AREA TECHNICAL C…$12KMORAINE PARK TECHNICAL C…$12KBEAVER DAM PUBLIC LIBRARY$10KCHARISH CLASSICAL ACADEMY$10KGREEN VALLEY ENTERPRISES…$10KRAWHIDE BOYS RANCH$10KST VINCENT DEPAUL BEAVER…$10K

Grant Size Distribution

231 grants across all recorded years

231<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include St Ambrose Academy ($25,000), Church Health Services ($15,000), Beaver Dam Scholarship Foundation ($12,500).

RecipientPurposeAmount
ARTS FOR ALL WISCONSIN MADISON, WIGENERAL FUNDING$2,000
BEAVER DAM FAMILY CENTER BEAVER DAM, WIMORTGAGE REDUCTION$5,000
BEAVER DAM HIGH SCHOOL BEAVER DAM, WIGENERAL FUNDING$3,000
BEAVER DAM PUBLIC LIBRARY BEAVER DAM, WIGENERAL FUNDING$10,000
BEAVER DAM SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION BEAVER DAM, WISCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS$12,500
BIG BROTHERS & BIG SISTERS OF DODGE COUNTY & WATERTOWN COMMUNITY WATERTOWN, WIGENERAL FUNDING$2,000
BOY SCOUT TROOPS 736 724 BEAVER DAM, WIGENERAL FUNDING$1,000
BRIDGES OF DODGE COUNTY BEAVER DAM, WIGENERAL FUNDING (HOSPICE CARE)$2,000
CENTRAL WISCONSIN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL WAUPUN, WIGENERAL FUNDING$5,000
CHARISH CLASSICAL ACADEMY MADISON, WIGENERAL FUNDING$10,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
JOHN KARSTENPRESIDENT1
ROBERT H KELLERVICE PRESIDENT1
WILFRED E KINNEYSECRETARY/TREASURER1

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Nelson & Vera Hicks Charitable Fdn fund?

The foundation's grantmaking focuses on: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Higher Education • Science and STEM Education • Scholarship programs • Mortgage reduction • Research funding • General funding for Alzheimer's units and hospice care • Administrative support

How do I apply for a grant from Nelson & Vera Hicks Charitable Fdn?

**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $500–$25,000 • Average grant amount and median grant amount data available but not specified in sources • The foundation made 47 grants in its most recent fiscal year **Recent Grants (2024):** • Church Health Services: $15,000 (Administrative Support Campaign) • Beaver Dam Scholarship Foundation: $12,500 (Scholarship Programs) • Moraine Park Technical College - Veba Trust: $12,000 (General Funding)

Where does Nelson & Vera Hicks Charitable Fdn make grants?

The foundation's grant-making is primarily focused on Wisconsin and Illinois.

What size grants does Nelson & Vera Hicks Charitable Fdn award?

In 2024, Nelson & Vera Hicks Charitable Fdn awarded 47 grants totaling $261K — an average of about $6K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

What is Nelson & Vera Hicks Charitable Fdn's EIN?

Nelson & Vera Hicks Charitable Fdn's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1582654. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.

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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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