The Karl H. And Wealtha H. Nelson Family Foundation Grant

The Karl H. And Wealtha H. Nelson Family Foundation Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The Karl H. And Wealtha H. Nelson Family Foundation
Last Updated: August 02, 2025

Summary

The Karl H. and Wealtha H. Nelson Family Foundation Grant aims to support charitable organizations in Nebraska City, focusing on health care, historical preservation, education, fine arts, and community development. Established by the Nelson family, the foundation prioritizes projects that enhance the local community's well-being and cultural heritage. The board seeks to fund both established organizations and new initiatives that demonstrate a clear commitment to their goals and community relevance.

Overview

Karl Hershey Nelson and Wealtha Harding were natives of Nebraska City and lifelong residents. They both graduated from Nebraska City High School and from the University of Nebraska. After returning to their hometown, they married and settled down to raise a family. Mr. Nelson worked for many years for Otoe Food Products Co. (later Morton House Kitchens), eventually becoming its president. Both Mr. and Mrs. Nelson loved their hometown and supported its growth and development while they were alive. Before her death in 1998, Mrs. Nelson established this foundation to continue their support into the future Statement of Aims and Purposes The Nelson Family Foundation is now reviewing its future direction. This direction will generally be guided by three factors: The charitable activities which the Foundation has supported heretofore.The primary charitable interests of Mr. and Mrs. Karl Nelson, whose generosity established the Foundation and its basic pattern of giving.The future plans and needs of those charitable organizations that have received support in the past as well as new organizations that can demonstrate a specific need within the five general categories of charitable endeavor described below. Basic Objectives of the Nelson Family Foundation The purpose of the Nelson Family Foundation is to provide financial support for worthy projects in the Nebraska City area. The Board of Trustees has identified five broad categories of charitable endeavor that Mr. and Mrs. Nelson supported in the past and should provide the focus for its giving in the future. These categories are as follows (not in priority order): Health Care Mr. and Mrs. Nelson were deeply concerned about the health care facilities in the Nebraska City area. They encouraged continuing improvements in these facilities, to keep abreast of medical progress and to enhance the quality of life in the community. The Foundation Trustees will continue this support, especially to those organizations that can deliver effective health care services at an affordable cost. Organizations that have been supported in the past include St. Mary's Hospital, the Nebraska City Community Healthcare Foundation, and the Nebraska City Rescue Service. Historical Preservation Nebraska City is rich in history, playing a key role in the development of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson were proud of this history and wanted to preserve as much of it as possible. The Nelson-Taylor-Wessel house is a good example of their strong personal commitment to historical preservation. Other organizations that have received support include the Nebraska City Historical Society, the Historic Depot, and the Kregel Windmill Foundation. The Foundation Trustees intend to continue this support of worthy projects to maintain and restore Nebraska City's rich heritage. Education Mr. and Mrs. Nelson viewed education as a key to the future growth and development of the area. They supported a wide variety of educational institutions in the past, from the Nebraska City High School Alumni Association to Peru State College and the University of Nebraska. The Board of Trustees of the Nelson Foundation plans on furthering this support by funding special projects that will enhance the educational opportunities for students, teachers, and institutions. Fine Arts Mr. and Mrs. Nelson felt a deep appreciation for the fine arts, which they recognized as an essential ingredient in a healthy, well-rounded community. Mrs. Nelson, in fact, became one of the original trustees of the Museum of Nebraska Art. With such projects as the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts, Wildwood Center, and the Morton James Library Foundation, the Foundation Trustees have supported and will continue to support programs and activities for the fine arts. Community Development Mr. and Mrs. Nelson were proud of their community and were always willing to back projects, large or small, that would meet a special need in it. They generously supported improvements in parks, tourist facilities, and other aspects of life in Nebraska City and its surrounding area. The Nelson Foundation has funded projects involving the National Arbor Day Foundation, Nuckolls Square, and the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center, and intends to maintain its support for worthy proposals in this category.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. As a general rule the Foundation should support local charitable organizations previously funded. However, new organizations with worthy projects that fall within the guidelines for giving will also be supported.The Board of Trustees will support those organizations that demonstrate a serious commitment to their projects with a specific plan for their completion. Project proposals should include a statement about their relevance to the community as well as a detailed budget.