The Nelson Foundation

DES MOINES, IA EIN: 42-1207818

The Nelson Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in DES MOINES, IA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. In 2024, it awarded 11 grants totaling $260K.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

Annual Giving

$260K

+44.4% YoY

Grant Count

11

+57.1% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$24K

-8.1% YoY

About The Nelson Foundation

Based on IRS filings

The Nelson Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in DES MOINES, IA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. In 2024, it awarded 11 grants totaling $260K.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

7states

Cities

ALBUQUERQUECLIVEChanderCliveDES MOINESDes MoinesEvansvilleLOUISVILLELawrenceburgLouisvilleSt LouisTown and CountryUrbandaleWEST DES MOINESWashingtonWest Des Moines

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$0.275$0.55$0.8250000000000001$1.1201920202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
Distributable Amount

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$65K$130K$195K$260K18 grants20192 grants20208 grants202110 grants20227 grants202311 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Living History Farms$80KAbove Beyond Cancer$29KEaster Seals of Iowa$29KBoys and Girls Club of C…$25KChildren and Families of…$25KBy Degrees Foundation$20KCypress$18KKirk Day School$17KHome Inc$8KGenesis Youth Foundation$5K

Grant Size Distribution

38 grants across all recorded years

36<$50K2$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Living History Farms ($80,000), Above Beyond Cancer ($28,638), Easter Seals of Iowa ($28,638).

RecipientPurposeAmount
Above Beyond Cancer West Des Moines, IAHotel Program Support$28,638
Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa Des Moines, IAFeeding the Future program$25,000
By Degrees Foundation Des Moines, IAchildren and education support$20,000
Children and Families of Iowa Des Moines, IAChild Development Center$25,000
Cypress Evansville, INJourney to Justice$18,200
Genesis Youth Foundation Des Moines, IAathletic equipment and tutoring$5,000
Home Inc Des Moines, IAappliances for 16 new homes$8,000
Kirk Day School St Louis, MOpurchase of 3 Chromebook carts$16,524
Knock and Drop Iowa Des Moines, IAfood pantry services$5,000
Living History Farms Urbandale, IALHF Cultivating Our Future campaign$80,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

No officer/director data available.

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Nelson Foundation?

The Nelson Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in DES MOINES, IA. It holds — in total assets as of 2024.

Where does The Nelson Foundation operate?

The Nelson Foundation has awarded grants in Arizona, District of Columbia, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, New Mexico.

What size grants does The Nelson Foundation award?

In 2024, The Nelson Foundation awarded 11 grants totaling $260K — an average of about $24K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

What is The Nelson Foundation's EIN?

The Nelson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1207818. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.

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Related Funders

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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

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