Nelson Family Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker ATLANTA, GA EIN: 23-3064865 Website

The Nelson Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Atlanta, Georgia. The organization focuses on philanthropic grantmaking across multiple funding areas and geographic regions.

Key facts about Nelson Family Foundation

EIN: 23-3064865
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $2,106,838
Grants made (2024): 3
Average grant: $702,279
Median grant: $475,714
Primary geography: Indiana (55% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026.

Who Nelson Family Foundation funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Nelson Family Foundation's 3 itemized 2024 grants were Indiana (55%) and Georgia (45%). The most frequent recipient cities were Atlanta, GA (2 grants). None of its 3 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

—

-100.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$2.1M

+2133.0% YoY

Grant Count

-90.9% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$702K

+24463.0% YoY

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

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation supports initiatives in the following areas:

Environment
Domesticated animals
Health
Human services
Education
Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking

Grantmaking

The foundation supports general operations and project-based initiatives across its focus areas.

Grant Types

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The Nelson Family Foundation supports projects across multiple U.S. cities and states, including:

Cities: Arlington, Athens, Atlanta, Dallas, Hillsdale, Little Rock, Minneapolis, Muncie, Powell, Richmond, Stanford, and Washington

States: Arkansas, California, District of Columbia, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Texas, Virginia, and Wyoming

Grant Distribution by State

Indiana $1.2M (55%)

Georgia $951K (45%)

Share of all 3 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

Arkansas California District of Columbia Georgia Indiana Michigan Minnesota Texas Virginia Wyoming

Cities

AtlantaWashingtonMuncieArlingtonDallasLittle RockMinneapolisPowellRichmondAthensStanfordHillsdale

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Total Assets: $2,037,291
Total Expenses: $2,124,160
Total Revenue: $86,869
Average Grant Size: $3,000

The foundation's most recent IRS Form 990 filing was submitted in 2024.

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	—	$2,037,291	$1,940,614
Revenue	$86,869	$211,974	$208,698
Expenses	$2,124,160	$115,297	$122,861
Qualifying Distributions	$2,106,838	$94,350	$89,650
Net Investment Income	$77,984	$128,177	$86,538
Distributable Amount	—	$97,031	$109,222

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 3 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

105 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Ball State University Foundation ($1,155,410), Atlanta Community Food Bank ($475,714), United Way of Greater Atlanta ($475,714).

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

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The foundation is managed by two trustees:

Kent C. Nelson — Trustee (serves on a voluntary basis without compensation)
Ann Starr — Trustee (serves on a voluntary basis without compensation)

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
KENT C NELSON	TRUSTEE	2	—
ANN STARR	TRUSTEE	2	—

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Nelson Family Foundation fund?

The foundation supports initiatives in the following areas: • Environment • Domesticated animals • Health • Human services • Education • Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking

How do I apply for a grant from Nelson Family Foundation?

**Grant Activity:** • Total giving: $2,106,838 (most recent filing) • Typical award range: $200–$1,155,410 • The foundation is open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding **Grant Types:** The foundation supports general operations and project-based initiatives across its focus areas.

Where does Nelson Family Foundation make grants?

The Nelson Family Foundation supports projects across multiple U.S. cities and states, including: **Cities:** Arlington, Athens, Atlanta, Dallas, Hillsdale, Little Rock, Minneapolis, Muncie, Powell, Richmond, Stanford, and Washington **States:** Arkansas, California, District of Columbia, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Texas, Virginia, and Wyoming