Robert Nelson Foundation

LOS ANGELES, CA EIN: 82-1673538 Website

The Robert Nelson Foundation is a private foundation based in Los Angeles, California, established in 2018 in memory of Robert Nelson. The foundation is committed to enhancing communities by funding projects that promote service, innovation, and excellence. The foundation honors Robert Nelson's legacy, particularly his nearly 40-year career in the radio and television industry and his demonstrated commitment to kindness and community support.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$17.2M

+7.4% YoY

Annual Giving

$568K

+49.4% YoY

Grant Count

+33.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$16K

+12.0% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert Nelson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $834K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

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

Mission & Focus Areas

Mission Statement: "To Give and to Grow" — The Robert Nelson Foundation is committed to enhancing communities by funding projects that promote service, innovation, and excellence. The foundation invests in great ideas that help others reach their full potential.

Core Values: The foundation operates on the principles of integrity, excellence, and kindness—values that defined Robert Nelson's life.

Primary Focus Areas:

Supporting young people pursuing careers in radio and television, reflecting Robert Nelson's professional passion
Funding projects that emulate Robert Nelson's character and historical pattern of giving
Supporting causes related to children's welfare and protection
Assisting homeless and economically disadvantaged populations
Supporting veterans
Funding organizations that demonstrate innovation, excellence, and service

Grantmaking

Grant Range

$5,000

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation funds organizations in multiple regions:

Primary: Los Angeles, California
Secondary: West Michigan (evidenced by grants to West Michigan Veterans Coalition and board member involvement)

Grant Distribution by State

California $1.8M (74%)

Michigan $636K (26%)

States

California Florida Michigan Minnesota

Cities

AllendaleCommerceCulver CityDavisElk GroveGardenaGlendaleGranada HillsGrand RapidsGrandevilleGrandvilleHawthorneHudsonvilleHuntington BeachJenisonKentwoodLong BeachLos AngelesManhattan BeachMiami

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Assets: $16.0 million (as of 2024)

Annual Giving: Approximately $380,000

Tax Status: Tax-exempt since November 2017

EIN: 82-1673538

Return Type: Form 990-PF (Private Foundation)

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2025	2024	2023
Total Assets	$17,220,142	$16,036,567	$13,282,126
Revenue	$1,883,388	$4,252,670	$1,367,475
Expenses	$778,277	$560,091	$615,973
Qualifying Distributions	$609,245	$426,682	$434,979
Net Investment Income	$524,338	$876,091	$240,432
Distributable Amount	$833,559	$672,967	$606,573

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 2025

Grant Size Distribution

148 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include California State University Los Angeles ($80,000), Grand Valley State University ($80,000), Los Angeles Mission ($35,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
THE HEALTH COMMUNICATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE DAVIS, CA	HEALTHCARE SUPPORT	$10,000
HOLLYWOOD FOOD COALITION LOS ANGELES, CA	INDIGENT SUPPORT	$10,000
UCLA FOUNDATION PASADENA, CA	INDIGENT SUPPORT	$7,500
HARVEST HOME SANTA MONICA, CA	INDIGENT SUPPORT	$5,000
MINORITY AIDS PROJECT LOS ANGELES, CA	HOMELESS SUPPORT	$5,000
A PLACE CALLED HOME LOS ANGELES, CA	HOMELESS SUPPORT	$5,000
DOWNTOWN WOMEN'S CENTER LOS ANGELES, CA	HOMELESS SUPPORT	$5,000
LOS ANGELES MISSION LOS ANGELES, CA	HOMELESS SUPPORT	$35,000
NO LIMITS FOR DEAF CHILDREN CULVER CITY, CA	DISABILITY SUPPORT	$5,000
HARMONY COMMUNITIES JENISON, MI	HOMELESS SUPPORT	$5,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Board of Directors:

Bryant Domina — President

33 years of experience in public schools in Michigan, specializing in special education
Currently serves as an advocate for the disabled population in West Michigan
Specialized in creating community partnerships
B.A. from Hope College (1984); M.A. from Western Michigan University (1992)

Sarah Talei — Vice President, Director of Community Outreach–Los Angeles

Attorney practicing in probate litigation, trust administration, conservatorships, and estate planning
B.S. in Business Administration with marketing emphasis from University of Southern California
J.D. from Whittier Law School, specializing in children's rights
Former extern at the Children's Law Center and worked at the Probate Department of the Los Angeles Superior Court

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

From 2025 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
RALPH PALMIERI	DIRECTOR	2	$8,000
JEFFREY SIEGEL	TREASURER	10	$48,000
ANNE HAYES CPA	SECRETARY	8	$15,295
BRYANT DOMINA	PRESIDENT	4	$8,000
SARAH TALEI	DIRECTOR	2	$8,000

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

The foundation maintains an active news section on its website highlighting recent grants and partnerships with nonprofit organizations. The foundation has announced a Robert Nelson Foundation Scholarship program to further support its mission of helping young people pursue their dreams, particularly in fields aligned with Robert Nelson's legacy.

Announcing the The Robert Nelson Foundation Scholarship

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Robert Nelson Foundation fund?

**Mission Statement:** "To Give and to Grow" — The Robert Nelson Foundation is committed to enhancing communities by funding projects that promote service, innovation, and excellence. The foundation invests in great ideas that help others reach their full potential. **Core Values:** The foundation operates on the principles of integrity, excellence, and kindness—values that defined Robert Nelson's life. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Supporting young people pursuing careers in radio and television,…

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

**Application Policy:** The Robert Nelson Foundation is not accepting unsolicited grant applications at this time. Grantmaking is by invitation only. **Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: Approximately $380,000 • Number of grants: 27 grants annually (as of 2024) • Median grant size: $5,000 • Grant range: $1,000 to $80,000 • Giving rate: 2.4% of assets **Recent Grants:** • Children's Law Center of California — legal representation for children impacted by abuse and neglect • Harvest Home — $20,00…

Where does Robert Nelson Foundation make grants?

The foundation funds organizations in multiple regions: • **Primary:** Los Angeles, California • **Secondary:** West Michigan (evidenced by grants to West Michigan Veterans Coalition and board member involvement)

What size grants does Robert Nelson Foundation award?

In 2025, Robert Nelson Foundation awarded 36 grants totaling $568K — an average of about $16K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Robert Nelson Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Robert Nelson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $834K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.