Marion G & Barbara W Nelson Private Foundation

Quick Stats

• EIN: 59-6930956
• Annual Giving: $301,000 (2024)
• Total Assets: $15.4 million
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $200,000
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Florida, with occasional grants in Illinois
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed (trustee discretion)
• Application Process: No public application process - invitation/trustee discretion only

Contact Details

Address: 2225 Greenside Drive, Springfield, IL 62704

Phone: (217) 717-1409

Trustee: Marion G. Nelson Jr.

Note: This foundation does not maintain a public website or email address. As a private family foundation, grants are made through trustee discretion rather than a formal application process.

Overview

The Marion G & Barbara W Nelson Private Foundation is a private family foundation established in Springfield, Illinois, with tax-exempt status granted in August 1990. With total assets of approximately $15.4 million as of 2024, the foundation maintains a stable financial position while making selective charitable grants. The foundation is managed by trustee Marion G. Nelson Jr., who also oversees the related M G Nelson Family Foundation (a separate entity with $19.3 million in assets). Annual giving varies significantly year to year, ranging from $75,000 in 2023 to $467,000 in 2019, suggesting that grant distributions are made based on trustee discretion and strategic timing rather than a fixed annual budget. The foundation's grantmaking has evolved to focus primarily on Florida-based organizations, though it maintains connections to its Illinois roots.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with specific application cycles. All grants are awarded through trustee discretion. Based on available tax filings:

• 2024: $301,000 in total grants (number of awards not yet disclosed)
• 2023: $75,000 distributed across 2 awards
• 2022: 4 awards made
• 2021: 3 awards made

Priority Areas

Based on IRS Form 990-PF classifications and documented grantmaking patterns:

• Education: Support for educational institutions and educational programming
• Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking: Support for other foundations and intermediary organizations
• Human Services: General charitable purposes benefiting human welfare

Geographic Focus

• Primary: Florida (majority of recent grantmaking)
• Secondary: Illinois (occasional grants, particularly to Springfield-area organizations)

Grant Size Range

Typical awards range from $1,000 to $200,000, with the foundation capable of making larger grants based on trustee determination.

What They Don't Fund

As a private family foundation operating through trustee discretion, there is no publicly available information about specific exclusions. However, typical private foundation restrictions likely apply (no grants to individuals for non-charitable purposes, no lobbying or political campaign support).

Governance and Leadership

Trustee

Marion G. Nelson Jr. serves as the sole trustee of the Marion G & Barbara W Nelson Private Foundation. He also serves as trustee of the M G Nelson Family Foundation, where he dedicates 20 hours per week and receives compensation of $89,851 for that role. His total oversight of both foundations represents management of approximately $34.7 million in charitable assets. Mr. Nelson maintains his office at the foundation's Springfield, Illinois address.

Related Entity

The M G Nelson Family Foundation (EIN: 47-6678311) is a separate but related private foundation also managed by Marion G. Nelson Jr. This foundation has significantly larger assets ($19.3 million) and a more active grantmaking program, having made 21 awards in 2023 and 9,241 total grants in a recent reporting period. Notable 2024 grants from the M G Nelson Family Foundation include Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln ($205,000), Compass for Kids ($150,000), Naples Botanical Garden ($100,000), and University of Illinois Foundation ($70,000).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, the Marion G & Barbara W Nelson Private Foundation makes grants through trustee discretion rather than accepting unsolicited proposals or applications.

Grants are awarded based on the trustee's knowledge of organizations, personal relationships, and strategic philanthropic goals determined by the Nelson family. Organizations cannot apply directly for funding.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the private nature of this foundation and the lack of a public application process, there are limited documented strategies for organizations to position themselves for consideration. However, based on the foundation's structure and patterns:

Connection to the M G Nelson Family Foundation: Since Marion G. Nelson Jr. manages both foundations, organizations that have successfully received funding from the larger M G Nelson Family Foundation (which reports being "open to new applicants" with a 12% funding rate for new applicants) may be considered for grants from the Marion G & Barbara W Nelson Private Foundation as well.

Community Foundation Relationships: The M G Nelson Family Foundation has made substantial gifts to the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln ($205,000 in 2024), suggesting that the Nelson family values intermediary organizations. Organizations with strong relationships to community foundations in the foundation's geographic focus areas (Florida and Illinois) may have better visibility.

Geographic Connection: With the foundation's primary focus on Florida and its administrative base in Springfield, Illinois, organizations in these locations - particularly Naples, Panama City, Tallahassee, and other Florida communities, as well as Springfield, Illinois - appear to be priorities.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As a private foundation operating through trustee discretion, grants may be approved at any time throughout the year based on the trustee's determination.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not applicable since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Recent activity shows:

• 2 awards in 2023
• 4 awards in 2022
• 3 awards in 2021

This suggests highly selective grantmaking with very few grants made annually.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - there is no application process. Organizations that have previously received funding may be considered for additional grants at the trustee's discretion.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, traditional "success factors" do not apply. However, understanding the foundation's patterns and priorities can be valuable:

Florida Focus: Recent data indicates the foundation "primarily gives grants in Florida," suggesting a strategic shift toward Florida-based organizations despite the foundation's Illinois administration. Organizations serving Florida communities appear to be the primary beneficiaries.

Education and Human Services: These represent the foundation's stated priority areas based on IRS classifications, suggesting grants are most likely to support educational institutions, programs, and human service organizations.

Relationship-Based Grantmaking: As with most private family foundations without public application processes, grants appear to flow from the trustee's existing knowledge and relationships. Organizations already known to Marion G. Nelson Jr. or connected to previously funded organizations may have greater likelihood of consideration.

Connection to Larger Foundation: The M G Nelson Family Foundation, also managed by Marion G. Nelson Jr., has a more active grantmaking program and accepts new applicants. Success in securing funding from that foundation could potentially lead to consideration by the Marion G & Barbara W Nelson Private Foundation for specific projects or needs.

Strategic Timing: The foundation's annual giving varies dramatically (from $75,000 to $467,000 in recent years), suggesting that grants may be clustered around strategic priorities or specific circumstances rather than distributed evenly across time.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation operates exclusively through trustee discretion and does not accept unsolicited proposals. Traditional grant application strategies do not apply.

• Florida-Focused Grantmaking: Despite being administered from Springfield, Illinois, the foundation primarily makes grants in Florida, particularly to education and human services organizations.

• Small Number of Annual Grants: With only 2-4 grants made annually, this is one of the most selective funders in its asset class. Grantmaking is highly strategic and relationship-based.

• Consider the Related Foundation: The M G Nelson Family Foundation (managed by the same trustee) has significantly more grantmaking activity and reports accepting applications from new organizations. This may be a more accessible funding source for organizations aligned with the Nelson family's charitable interests.

• Variable Giving Patterns: Annual distributions range from $75,000 to $467,000, suggesting that the foundation may make larger grants strategically rather than maintaining consistent annual distributions.

• Education and Human Services Priority: Organizations working in education and human services sectors, particularly in Florida communities, appear to align best with the foundation's documented priorities.

• Community Foundation Connections: Given the family's support for the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln and other intermediary organizations, maintaining strong relationships with community foundations in Florida and Illinois may provide indirect connection opportunities.

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Marion G & Barbara W Nelson Private Foundation (EIN: 59-6930956): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/596930956 (Accessed February 8, 2026)

• Instrumentl 990 Report - Marion G & Barbara W Nelson Private Foundation: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/marion-g-barbara-w-nelson-private-foundation (Accessed February 8, 2026)

• Cause IQ Profile - Marion G and Barbara W Nelson Foundation: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/marion-g-and-barbara-w-nelson-foundation,596930956/ (Accessed February 8, 2026)

• Grantmakers.io Profile - Marion G and Barbara W Nelson Foundation: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/596930956-marion-g-and-barbara-w-nelson-foundation/ (Accessed February 8, 2026)

• Charity Navigator Profile - Marion G & Barbara W Nelson Private Foundation: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/596930956 (Accessed February 8, 2026)

• Grantable Profile - M G Nelson Family Foundation: https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/m-g-nelson-family-foundation-us-foundation-476678311 (Accessed February 8, 2026)

• Instrumentl 990 Report - M G Nelson Family Foundation: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/m-g-nelson-family-foundation (Accessed February 8, 2026)