M G Nelson Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $838,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: 12% for new applicants
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $500 - $372,911
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Illinois, Florida, and Missouri; also DC and Texas

Contact Details

The foundation does not maintain a public website or publicly listed contact information. Contact details may be available through the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings or professional grant databases.

Registered Address: Springfield, IL
EIN: 47-6678311

Overview

The M G Nelson Family Foundation was established as a private family foundation and received tax-exempt status in February 2015. With total assets of $19.3 million and annual giving of approximately $838,000, the foundation supports organizations focused on education, human services, and philanthropy across multiple states. The foundation is managed by Marion G. Nelson Jr., who serves as the sole trustee. The foundation generates most of its revenue through investment dividends (83.5%) and asset sales (16.5%), which fund its charitable activities. In 2024, the foundation awarded 21 grants totaling $838,000, focusing primarily on community development, education, and cultural initiatives in Illinois and Florida.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a traditional private family foundation without formal grant programs or published funding cycles. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion.

Recent Grant Recipients (2024):

• Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln: $205,000
• Compass for Kids: $150,000 (after-school and summer programs)
• Kidzeum of Health & Science: $100,000
• Naples Botanical Garden: $100,000
• University of Illinois Foundation: $70,000

Priority Areas

The foundation's grant-making focuses on:

• Education: Support for educational institutions and programs, particularly University of Illinois initiatives
• Human Services: Community-based programs serving children and families
• Arts & Culture: Museums, botanical gardens, and cultural institutions
• Community Development: Local community foundations and initiatives
• Youth Programs: After-school programs and youth development

Geographic Focus

Primary Focus: Illinois (particularly Springfield area) and Florida (Naples, North Palm Beach, Panama City, Tallahassee)

Secondary Areas: Missouri (Kansas City), Texas (Dallas), and Washington, DC

Other cities funded include Benton, Carbondale, Champaign, Estero, Petersburg, and Windmere.

What They Don't Fund

Information about specific exclusions is not publicly available. As a private family foundation, grants appear to be made at the discretion of the trustee based on personal interests and connections.

Governance and Leadership

Marion G. Nelson Jr. - Sole Trustee
Marion G. Nelson Jr. serves as the foundation's sole trustee, dedicating 20 hours per week to foundation management and receiving compensation of $89,851 (2020 data shows $97,911 in 2024). He oversees all aspects of the foundation's operations, including investment management and grant-making decisions.

The foundation operates with a lean structure, with the trustee maintaining direct oversight of all philanthropic activities and strategic direction.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The M G Nelson Family Foundation operates as a private family foundation where grants are awarded through trustee discretion rather than open solicitation.

According to available data, the foundation is "open to new applicants" with a 12% funding rate for new organizations, suggesting that unsolicited inquiries may be considered, though no formal application process or guidelines are published.

Grant awards appear to be made based on:

• Personal connections and relationships with the trustee
• Organizations already known to the foundation
• Trustee's philanthropic interests in education, community development, and cultural institutions
• Geographic ties to Springfield, IL and Florida locations

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As a private family foundation with trustee discretion, the timeframe likely varies depending on the relationship with the organization and the nature of the request.

Success Rates

• New Applicants: 12% success rate
• Total Grants Awarded (2024): 21 grants
• Total Amount Distributed (2024): $838,000
• Average Grant Size: Approximately $40,000

Reapplication Policy

No public information is available regarding reapplication policies or restrictions for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates without a public application process, organizations that have successfully received funding appear to share these characteristics:

Geographic Connection: Strong preference for organizations in Springfield, IL area and select Florida communities (Naples, Tallahassee, North Palm Beach). The foundation's dual geographic focus reflects the trustee's connections to both Illinois and Florida.

Types of Organizations Funded:

• Established community foundations (Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln received the largest single grant at $205,000)
• Youth-serving organizations with clear programmatic focus (Compass for Kids - $150,000)
• Educational and cultural institutions (Kidzeum of Health & Science, Naples Botanical Garden)
• Higher education (University of Illinois Foundation)

Grant Size Patterns:

• Major grants ($100,000+) awarded to well-established institutions
• Wide range of grant sizes from $500 to $372,911 suggests flexibility based on project scope
• Average grant approximately $40,000

Relationship Factors: As a private family foundation, grants appear to be made to organizations with existing relationships or connections to the trustee, or organizations that align with the trustee's personal philanthropic interests.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No formal application process exists - this foundation awards grants through trustee discretion and personal relationships rather than competitive applications
• Geographic focus is critical - strongest likelihood of funding for organizations in Springfield, IL or select Florida communities
• New applicants face long odds - only 12% of new organizations receive funding, suggesting the importance of relationship-building
• Wide grant range - awards from $500 to $372,911 indicate flexibility, though most grants cluster around $40,000
• Focus areas align with traditional family foundation priorities - education, community development, youth services, and cultural institutions
• Consider intermediary approach - the foundation's largest grant ($205,000) went to the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, suggesting that working through community foundations may be a viable strategy
• Multi-year relationships appear valued - successful organizations likely have ongoing connections to the trustee or foundation

References

• Cause IQ Profile - M G Nelson Family Foundation. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/mg-nelson-family-foundation,476678311/ (Accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Mg Nelson Family Foundation (EIN 47-6678311). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/476678311 (Accessed January 2026)
• Grantable Foundation Profile - M G Nelson Family Foundation. https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/m-g-nelson-family-foundation-us-foundation-476678311 (Accessed January 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory - Mg Nelson Family Foundation. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?collection=grantmakers&activity=result&key=1729211 (Accessed January 2026)
• Charity Navigator Profile - Mg Nelson Family Foundation. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/476678311 (Accessed January 2026)
• IRS Form 990-PF filings for M G Nelson Family Foundation, various years through 2024