The Nelson Foundation
Private foundation · Des Moines, IA · EIN 42-1207818 · reported 2023–2025
23grants reported
$25Kmedian award
$15Klower quartile
$5,000smallest grant
$740Ktotal paid
5states reached
3years giving
This foundation funds faith-based organizations. 1 of its 23 reported grants went to churches, ministries or other religious organizations, $100K in total. That is what it paid, not what it says in a policy.
Gives every year. This foundation reported grants in 2023, 2024, 2025. A funder that shows up year after year is worth a letter even if this year is a no.
Who they funded
| Recipient and stated purpose | Where | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Dowling Catholic High School SCIENCE EQUIPMENT PURCHASE SUPPORT | West Des Moines, IA | $100,000 |
| Living History Farms LHF Cultivating Our Future campaign | Urbandale, IA | $80,000 |
| BY Degrees Foundation PROJECT SUPPORT | Des Moines, IA | $75,000 |
| Living History Farms Foundation CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORT | Urbandale, IA | $60,000 |
| Living History Farms HOUSING | Urbandale, IA | $40,000 |
| Easter Seals OF Iowa | Des Moines, IA | $35,000 |
| University OF California San Francisco Foundation RESEARCH SUPPORT | San Francisco, CA | $30,000 |
| By Degrees Foundation EDUCATIONAL | Des Moines, IA | $30,000 |
| D Squared Homes for the Homeless EDUCATIONAL | Chander, AZ | $30,000 |
| Above Beyond Cancer Hotel Program Support | West Des Moines, IA | $28,638 |
| Easter Seals of Iowa Respite and Summer Camp programs | Des Moines, IA | $28,638 |
| Easter Seals EDUCATIONAL | Des Moines, IA | $25,000 |
| Iowa Healthiest State HEALTH | Des Moines, IA | $25,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa Feeding the Future program | Des Moines, IA | $25,000 |
| Children and Families of Iowa Child Development Center | Des Moines, IA | $25,000 |
| By Degrees Foundation Children and education support | Des Moines, IA | $20,000 |
| Cypress Journey to Justice | Evansville, IN | $18,200 |
| Kirk Day School Purchase of 3 Chromebook carts | St Louis, MO | $16,524 |
| Grow & Learn EDUCATIONAL | West Des Moines, IA | $15,000 |
| Iowa Safe Schools EDUCATIONAL | Des Moines, IA | $15,000 |
| Home INC Appliances for 16 new homes | Des Moines, IA | $8,000 |
| Genesis Youth Foundation Athletic equipment and tutoring | Des Moines, IA | $5,000 |
| Knock and Drop Iowa Food pantry services | Des Moines, IA | $5,000 |
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