Nelson Mead Fund
Nelson Mead Fund is a private foundation, based in Jacksonville, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $5.6M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $461K. Net investment income was $785K.
Nelson Mead Fund at a glance
In short: Nelson Mead Fund gave $461K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $461K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $461,272
- +3.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $461,272
- +3.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $461,272
- Total assets
- $5,649,574
- +5.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
Who Nelson Mead Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 5 grants of 5 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
Cities
How Nelson Mead Fund gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+5%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 113% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $357K (2019) to $461K (2024). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $461K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $461,272 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5,649,574 | $847,367 | $533,014 | $461,272 | 1 | $470,851 | $784,510 | $416,040 |
| 2023 | $5,335,221 | $378,295 | $508,375 | $446,740 | 1 | $457,001 | $326,921 | $380,066 |
| 2022 | $5,465,297 | $335,246 | $481,648 | $408,053 | 1 | $414,531 | $278,129 | $413,913 |
| 2021 | $5,611,699 | $670,397 | $509,150 | $437,635 | 1 | — | $607,306 | $444,425 |
| 2020 | $5,450,452 | $469,748 | $475,053 | $409,840 | 1 | — | $405,442 | $406,028 |
| 2019 | $5,455,757 | $541,176 | $429,887 | $357,023 | 1 | — | $488,177 | $358,856 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Nelson Mead Fund reported a distributable amount of $416K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Nelson Mead Fund is led by Ruth C. Mead, Trustee on every filing since 2019 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ruth C. Mead
Trustee
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 Mead Fund
How much does Nelson Mead Fund give each year?
Nelson Mead Fund gave $461K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $447K across 1 grant.
How large is Nelson Mead Fund?
Nelson Mead Fund reported $5.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $471K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $416K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
Where does Nelson Mead Fund operate?
Nelson Mead Fund has awarded grants in Florida, Illinois.
What is Nelson Mead Fund's EIN?
Nelson Mead Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-6064591. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS April 22, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 26, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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