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John and Judith Nelson Family Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

John and Judith Nelson Family Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$126k
Granted FY2025still arriving
29
Grants FY2025still arriving
17
States reached
$20k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0193% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2025.

Health$360kEducation$132kInternational$43kHousing & Shelter$31kAnimals$24kFood & Nutrition$14kRecreation & Sports$13kPublic Safety & Disaster$12kOther$0
02FY2025 · 29 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k24 grants · $50k
  • $10k–50k5 grants · $76k
$2,000
Median grant
17
States reached
$1.2M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
THE SMALL WORLD$20,000
MASSACHUSETTS DOWN SYNDROME CONGRESS$20,000
LAHEY CLINIC$15,000
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION NETWORK$11,250
BELKNAP HOUSE$10,000
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS$7,500
INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE$6,500
PLEDGE THE PINK FOUNDATION$4,000
HEIFER INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION$3,750
MANNA FOOD BANK$2,500
PANTHERA CORPORATION$2,500
WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN$2,500
CHEETAH CONSERVATION FUND$2,500
NEW ENGLAND DISABLED SPORTS$2,000
OCEAN CONSERVANCY$2,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY21–25, $24k) land where the poverty rate runs at 11%, against an area that typically sits at 10%. 25% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Its grants skew toward lower-need ZIPs.

area typical 10%BELKNAP HOUSE: $10k → 9%BELKNAP HOUSE: $5k → 9%ISAIAH 61 CAF: $3k → 9%HORIZONS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN: $5k → 16%NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS: $1k → 16%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

AK
NH
MT
MI
NY
MA
IN
PA
NJ
CT
CA
CO
VA
MD
DE
AR
TN
NC
SC
DC
LA
TX
FL
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

89%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$648k · 23 repeat orgs$77k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +34% since the first grant, against 0% for those funded once.

23 repeat relationships: 12 still active in FY2025, 11 since wound down; 17 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

23
22

Total granted

$648k
$38k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+34%
0%

Still filing today

87%
55%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 69% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $40k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
HealthInternationalAnimalsEnvironmentHuman ServicesPublic Safety & DisasterOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
    5× · 2020–2024 · $110k · revenue +63%
  • LC
    LAHEY CLINIC INC
    7× · 2018–2025 · $110k · revenue +36%
  • MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND INC
    5× · 2017–2022 · $110k · revenue +11%

Funded once

  • HF
    HORIZONS FOR HOMELESS CHILDRENgraduated
    one grant, 2023 · $5k · revenue +31%
  • OO
    ORDER OF MALTA WORLDWIDE RELIEF MALTESER INTERNATIONAL AMERICAS
    one grant, 2023 · $5k · revenue -46%
  • TC
    THE CAJUN NAVY RELIEF INC
    one grant, 2024 · $3k · revenue -59%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Conservation International Foundation

Ci works to spotlight and secure the critical benefits that nature provides to humanity.

Environment
2
Project Drawdown

Project drawdown's mission is to drive meaningful climate action by advancing science-based solutions and strategies. project drawdown's work is focused on three pillars: science - advancing science-based climate solutions and strategies;…

Education
3
Management Sciences for Health Inc

(msh) saves lives and improves the health of the world's poorest (see schedule o) and most vulnerable people by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health.

International
4
Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Foundation

To engage and catalyze global seafood supply chains in rebuilding depleted fish stocks and reducing the environmental impacts of fishing and fish farming.

Animals
5
Conservation Law Foundation Inc

Conservation law foundation, inc. (clf) protects new england's environment for the benefit of all people and future generations. we use the law, science, and markets to create solutions that preserve and restore our natural resources,…

Environment
6
The Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Fdn Group

Susan g. komen 's mission is to save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities & investing in breakthrough research to prevent & cure breast cancer.

—
7
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Leadership in the prevention, treatment, and cure of cancer through excellence, vision and cost effectiveness in patient care, outreach programs, research, and education.

Health
8
International Myeloma Foundation

Dedicated to improving the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure.

Unclassified
9
Target Als Foundation Inc

Our mission is to break down barriers to als research to find effective treatments. by uniting academia, the pharma and biotech industry, government, venture capital, related nonprofits, and the als community, we aim to overcome the…

Education
10
New York Genome Center Inc

Operate a state-of-the-art, world-class genomic research center that creates and uses advanced genomics to understand the genetic basis of disease. for more information, see schedule o.

Health
11
Earth & Space Research

Increase societal understanding of the earth system through scientific research and education.

Science & Tech
12
Chemists Without Borders

Chemists without borders is a global humanitarian organization committed to sustainable and equitable solutions that empower communities and improve overall well-being. our strategic framework is: service - developing, facilitating, and…

Science & Tech
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Make-a-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island Inc; the most unlike its peers is Seven Mile Music. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

46 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 46 of the 62 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
9
Early backer (in before they grew)
46/46
Grantees still filing
27/46
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

LAHEY CLINIC INC: $110,000 · HealthLAHEY CLINIC INCMAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND INC: $109,500 · HealthMAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF MASSACHUSETTS A…ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC: $26,000 · HealthST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC+6 more: $18,000 · Health+6 moreMASSACHUSETTS DOWN SYNDROME CONGRESS INC: $76,000 · OtherMASSACHUSETTS DOWN SYNDROME CONGRESS I…THE SMALL WORLD: $73,500 · OtherTHE SMALL WORLDTRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY: $15,000 · OtherTRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITYNEW ENGLAND DISABLED SPORTS: $12,500 · OtherSMILE TRAIN INC: $12,500 · OtherASHEVILLE AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INC: $10,000 · Other+28 more: $47,475 · Other+28 moreNORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY: $110,000 · EducationNORTHEASTERN UNIVE…ASHEVILLE SCHOOL INC: $6,500 · EducationASHEVILLE SCHOOL I…GLOBALGIVING FOUNDATION INC: $15,128 · InternationalMEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC: $8,000 · InternationalWORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC: $7,500 · InternationalInternational Rescue Committee INC: $6,500 · InternationalHEIFER INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION: $3,750 · International+1 more: $1,250 · InternationalBelknap House: $15,000 · Human ServicesHORIZONS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN: $5,000 · Human ServicesIsaiah 61 Cafe: $3,000 · Human ServicesNATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY: $1,000 · Human ServicesWILDLIFE CONSERVATION NETWORK INC: $11,250 · AnimalsCheetah Conservation Fund: $2,500 · AnimalsPANTHERA CORPORATION: $2,500 · AnimalsPeaceful Valley Donkey Rescue Inc: $1,000 · AnimalsMONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM FOUNDATION: $1,000 · AnimalsPOLAR BEARS INTERNATIONAL: $1,000 · AnimalsMANNA FOOD BANK INC: $13,500 · Food & Nutrition
Health$263,500Other$246,975Education$116,500International$42,128Human Services$24,000Animals$19,250Food & Nutrition$13,500

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$100k$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetNORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY: $110,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetLAHEY CLINIC INC: $110,000 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetMAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND INC: $109,500 over 5y, 0.6% of budgetMASSACHUSETTS DOWN SYNDROME CONGRESS INC: $76,000 over 6y, 0.7% of budgetST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC: $26,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetGLOBALGIVING FOUNDATION INC: $15,128 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetBelknap House: $15,000 over 2y, 3.0% of budgetTRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY: $15,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetMANNA FOOD BANK INC: $13,500 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetNEW ENGLAND DISABLED SPORTS: $12,500 over 7y, 0.3% of budgetSMILE TRAIN INC: $12,500 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetWILDLIFE CONSERVATION NETWORK INC: $11,250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetASHEVILLE AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INC: $10,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetPLEDGE THE PINK FOUNDATION: $8,000 over 2y, 0.6% of budgetMEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC: $8,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetWORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC: $7,500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetASHEVILLE SCHOOL INC: $6,500 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetInternational Rescue Committee INC: $6,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHORIZONS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetORDER OF MALTA WORLDWIDE RELIEF MALTESER INTERNATIONAL AMERICAS: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetCYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION: $4,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetWORLD WILDLIFE FUND INC: $3,750 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetHEIFER INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION: $3,750 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE CAJUN NAVY RELIEF INC: $3,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetIsaiah 61 Cafe: $3,000 over 1y, 1.1% of budgetSAMARITAN'S PURSE: $3,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE ANDREW MCDONOUGH B FOUNDATION: $3,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetCLEAN AIR TASK FORCE INC: $2,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetOCEAN CONSERVANCY: $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetDana-Farber Cancer Institute Inc: $1,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSEVEN MILE MUSIC: $1,500 over 1y, 1.4% of budgetALL HANDS AND HEARTS SMART RESPONSE INC: $1,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE MULTIPLE MYELOMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMARA ELEPHANT PROJECT USA INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWINNISQUAM WATERSHED NETWORK: $1,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetNATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY: $1,000 over 1y, 2.8% of budgetPOLAR BEARS INTERNATIONAL: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetABBY KELLEY FOSTER HOUSE INC: $1,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetKAY'S FOUNDATION: $500 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetNATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL INC: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHELP ME SEE INC: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Duke Energy FoundationShell USA Company Fou…Silicon Valley Commun…Verizon FoundationThe Bank of America C…National Philanthropi…The Blackbaud Giving …Raymond James Charita…Morgan Stanley Global…Jpmorgan Chase Founda…Paypal Charitable Giv…Vanguard Charitable E…
Duke Energy FoundationNC10.5× affinity4 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Duke Energy Foundation · Shell USA Company Foundation · Silicon Valley Community Foundation · Verizon Foundation · The Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc · National Philanthropic Trust · The Blackbaud Giving Fund · Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund · Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc · Jpmorgan Chase Foundation · Paypal Charitable Giving Fund · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization John and Judith Nelson Family Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from John and Judith Nelson Family Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 80%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →median 7%
  • Horizons for Homeless Children: 21% of income from government
  • Trustees of Boston University: 12% of income from government
  • Northeastern University: 7% of income from government
  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Inc: 7% of income from government
  • Lahey Clinic Inc: 1% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
8get no government money at all
9report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 62 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on John and Judith Nelson Family’s filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home