Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation
The Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation is a private foundation based in New York, New York. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including organizations working in child and youth services, mental health, research, public media, and the arts.
Key facts about Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation
In short: Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation gave $158K across 30 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), mostly in California. 27% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 84-3282652
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $158,194
- Grants made (2025)
- 30
- Average grant
- $5,273
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (8 of 30, 2025)
- Total assets
- $3,042,479
- Primary geography
- California (55% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.0M
+25.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$158K
+40.0% YoY
Grant Count
30
+15.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
+21.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $126K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 30 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $5K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 70% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 41% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 125% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants include organizations whose stated missions address children’s behavioral health and education, advocacy for abused children, Type 1 diabetes research, youth mental health and suicide prevention, cultural programming, and public-interest journalism. These are grantee missions, not stated priorities of the foundation.
For example, San Diego Center for Children says it provides therapeutic and educational services to youth and families with behavioral health needs; Voices for Children says it provides court-appointed special advocates for abused children; and Diabetes Research Connection says it connects donors with early-career scientists conducting peer-reviewed Type 1 diabetes research. The JED Foundation describes its mission as protecting emotional health and preventing suicide among teens and young adults, while La Jolla Music Society describes its work as presenting cultural programming and supporting an inclusive performing arts hub.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 30 grants totaling $158,194. Grants ranged from $50 to $10,000, with a median of $5,000. Among the largest reported grants were $10,000 each to KPBS, Friends of Vista Hill, Child Mind Institute, Anti-Defamation League, Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, and National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Ready to take the next step with Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars went to organizations in California (55%) and New York (28%). Other reported recipient-state shares were Virginia (6%), Washington, DC (4%), and New Jersey (3%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 30 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $73K (2020) to $158K (2025). In 2025 it made 30 grants totaling $158K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was KPBS ($10K). Together the top 10 received $84K.
Grant Size Distribution
122 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 122 grants of 122 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| KPBS San Diego, CA | Promote Charity | $10,000 |
| Friends of Vista Hill San Diego, CA | Promote Charity | $10,000 |
| Child Mind Institute San Mateo, CA | Promote Charity | $10,000 |
| Anti Defamation League New York, NY | Promote Charity | $10,000 |
| Brain & Behavior Research Foundation New York, NY | Promote Charity | $10,000 |
| National Alliance on Mental Illiness Arlington, VA | Promote Charity | $10,000 |
| San Diego Center for Children San Diego, CA | Promote Charity | $7,500 |
| The Old Globe San Diego, CA | Promote Charity | $6,000 |
| Serra Center Union City, CA | Promote Charity | $5,000 |
| Voices for Children San Diego, CA | Promote Charity | $5,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,042,479 | $812,794 | $172,058 | $158,194 |
| 2024 | $2,433,465 | $226,597 | $114,951 | $113,002 |
| 2023 | $2,286,047 | $367,159 | $91,564 | $85,448 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,042,479 | $2,433,465 | $2,286,047 |
| Revenue | $812,794 | $226,597 | $367,159 |
| Expenses | $172,058 | $114,951 | $91,564 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $158,194 | $113,002 | $85,448 |
| Net Investment Income | $279,158 | $475,100 | $107,851 |
| Distributable Amount | $126,312 | $110,446 | $94,367 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s 2025 filing lists Joyce Nelson as president, Ronald Nelson as treasurer, and Jessica Fields as secretary.
Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation is led by Joyce Nelson, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Joyce Nelson
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Jessica Fields
Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Ronald Nelson
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: C/O Phillips Gold 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018
Phone: (212) 730-1112
Frequently asked questions about Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation
How much does Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation give each year?
Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation gave $158K across 30 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $113K across 26 grants.
What is Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $5,273, across 30 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation that year got $5K on average.
Where does Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation give grants?
Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation gives mostly in California: 55% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (28%) and Virginia (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (9 grants), San Diego, CA (8 grants), La Jolla, CA (2 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 30 grants with a stated purpose on Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Promote Charity" (27 grants).
Who are Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include KPBS ($10,000), Friends of Vista Hill ($10,000) and Child Mind Institute ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 19% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation?
Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation reported $3.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $158K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $126K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation's EIN?
Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-3282652. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in New York
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds nonprofits addressing economic mobility, wealth gaps, and urgent community needs, with priorities including homeownership, small businesses, education, quality jobs, and investment in underinvested communities. Its 2025 itemized grants had a median of $26,500, though awards vary widely; grants generally benefit Chicago-region residents, and the Trust directs applicants to open opportunities but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports nonprofits in health, education, arts, disaster relief, reforestation, hunger relief, and community equity, with an emphasis on organizations actively supported by Enterprise employees and their families. Its reported grants range widely: 2024 giving averaged about $7,700 across 9,499 grants, while the foundation also offers awards of up to $40,000; it supports communities where Enterprise operates worldwide. Unsolicited requests are accepted at any time, but eligible applications must be submitted by an Enterprise team member or their spouse or domestic partner on behalf of a nonprofit they actively support.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations, individuals, and ideas working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work in areas such as immigrant justice, criminal justice reform, gender equity, and arts and culture, through grants around the world. Its 2024 grants had a median of $100,000, with amounts ranging from $45 to $15 million; it does not accept unsolicited requests by mail, email, or phone.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The New York Community Trust
New York, NY
The New York Community Trust funds projects in areas including arts, education, health, human services, community development, and the environment, primarily in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some opportunities elsewhere. Its 2024 median grant was $20,000, though awards varied widely. It accepts applications through its open competitive grants program and selected RFPs or letters of interest; donor-advised funds do not accept proposals.
Assets
$3.5B
Grants
2,748
Total Given
$193.8M
The Simons Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Simons Foundation funds research in mathematics and the basic sciences, as well as autism and other disease research, through grants to research centers, universities, and related organizations. In 2024, grants ranged from $1,480 to $20 million, with a median of $72,000; funding is concentrated in New York, California, and Massachusetts, with awards also made elsewhere in the U.S. and internationally. Whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,727
Total Given
$272.0M
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
New York, NY
Local Initiatives Support Corporation funds affordable housing, economic development, education, health, child care, small businesses and other community initiatives, often through grants, loans and equity. Its 2024 grants had a median of $40,000, with awards ranging from $5,189 to $4.7 million, and its work spans communities across all 50 states. It offers specific grant opportunities, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.
Assets
$1.6B
Grants
1,119
Total Given
$102.8M
More Funders in New York
Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?