Nelson Family Foundation
The Nelson Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Atlanta, Georgia. Its 2024 filing lists grants for education, health, and community services, with recipients in Indiana and Georgia.
Nelson Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Nelson Family Foundation gave $2.1M across 3 grants in 2024 (avg $702K), mostly in Indiana. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,106,838
- +2133.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 3
- -90.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $702,279
- +24463.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $475,714
- Primary geography
- Indiana (55% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Nelson Family Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation has no required form; requesting organizations may submit any information they deem appropriate. Submissions are considered when received. Awards have no stated restrictions or limitations other than use for qualified purposes.
- Review Cycle
- Submissions are considered when received.
- Deadline
- Submissions are considered when received.
- Contact
Application contact: Ann Starr
Mailing address: 9 Misty Ridge Manor, Atlanta, GA 30327
Phone: (404) 256-9114
Website: https://ruthnelsonfamilyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Nelson Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ball State University Foundation ($1.2M). Together the top 3 received $2.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
105 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 102 grants of 105 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 filing reports that 55% of grant dollars went to Indiana and 45% to Georgia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
Cities
How Nelson Family Foundation gives
- Giving grew 1775% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2023 it paid out 97% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $90K (2022) to $2.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 3 grants totaling $2.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ball State University Foundation Muncie, IN | Education | $1,155,410 |
| Atlanta Community Food Bank Atlanta, GA | HEALTH | $475,714 |
| United Way of Greater Atlanta Atlanta, GA | Community Services | $475,714 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Filing type: Form 990-PF (a private foundation).
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | — | $86,869 | $2,124,160 | $2,106,838 | 3 | $2,106,838 | $77,984 | — |
| 2023 | $2,037,291 | $211,974 | $115,297 | $94,350 | 33 | $94,350 | $128,177 | $97,031 |
| 2022 | $1,940,614 | $208,698 | $122,861 | $89,650 | 35 | $89,650 | $86,538 | $109,222 |
| 2021 | $1,854,777 | $1,072,132 | $133,923 | $112,350 | 34 | — | $560,652 | $72,381 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants identify education, health, and community services as purposes. The Ball State University Foundation describes its mission as obtaining, investing, and managing private gifts to support Ball State University. United Way of Greater Atlanta says it brings people and resources together to improve the well-being of children, families, and individuals. The Atlanta Community Food Bank says its mission is to engage, educate, and empower the community to fight hunger.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 3 grants totaling $2,106,838. Grants ranged from $475,714 to $1,155,410, with a median of $475,714. The largest grants were $1,155,410 to Ball State University Foundation for education, and $475,714 each to Atlanta Community Food Bank for health and United Way of Greater Atlanta for community services.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Kent C. Nelson and Ann Starr as trustees.
Nelson Family Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ann Starr
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kent C. Nelson
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 Nelson Family Foundation
How much does Nelson Family Foundation give each year?
Nelson Family Foundation gave $2.1M across 3 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $94K across 33 grants.
What is Nelson Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Nelson Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $475,714, and its average grant was $702,279, across 3 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Nelson Family Foundation give grants?
Nelson Family Foundation gives mostly in Indiana: 55% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Georgia (45%). The most frequent recipient cities were Atlanta, GA (2 grants).
Does Nelson Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on Nelson Family Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
What does Nelson Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants identify education, health, and community services as purposes. The Ball State University Foundation describes its mission as obtaining, investing, and managing private gifts to support Ball State University. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Nelson Family Foundation?
The foundation has no required form; requesting organizations may submit any information they deem appropriate. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Nelson Family Foundation's EIN?
Nelson Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-3064865. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
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Figures come from Nelson Family Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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