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Marilyn and Glen Nelson Family Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Marilyn and Glen 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.

$759k
Granted FY2025still arriving
4
Grants FY2025still arriving
3
States reached
$499k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

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

Arts & Culture$2.9MEducation$1.3MReligion$163kPublic Benefit$132kHealth$107kCrime & Legal$79kScience & Tech$75kRecreation & Sports$45kOther$0
02FY2025 · 4 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • $10k–50k1 grant · $10k
  • $50k–250k2 grants · $249k
  • $250k+1 grant · $499k
$149,304
Median grant
3
States reached
$5.7M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
MINNESOTA ORCHESTRAL ASSOCIATION$499,318
Smith College$149,304
Guthrie Theater$99,968
National Endowment for Democracy$10,000
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 (FY20–20, $25k) land where the poverty rate runs at 9%, against an area that typically sits at 10%. 0% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Its grants skew toward lower-need ZIPs.

area typical 10%MYASWAN: $25k → 9%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

MT
MN
NY
MA
WY
CA
AZ
DC
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.
04

Where the work is directed

The same grants placed two ways: where each recipient sits, and where its stated purpose sends the money.

About 26% of Marilyn and Glen Nelson Family Foundation’s grant dollars are earmarked for a different county than the recipient’s own address. By recipient address, 71% of the giving stays in MN; by stated purpose, 61%.

Marilyn and Glen Nelson Family Foundationlessmore of its giving
Placed by recipient address · 21% directed abroad (not shown)
How this is measured
Recipient view: each grant at its grantee’s ZIP, mapped to a county. Directed view: each grant at the county its stated purpose names, falling back to the recipient’s county when the purpose names no place; US grants only. A county shows only if it carries the top 95% of that view’s dollars. Purposes are read from the funder’s own 990 grant descriptions.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

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

97%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$4.6M · 28 repeat orgs$122k to everyone else

28 repeat relationships: 4 still active in FY2025, 24 since wound down.

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

28
21

Total granted

$4.6M
$122k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+37%
+47%

Still filing today

82%
71%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 100% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $0 went to new ones.

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

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

’17’20’21’22’23’24’25
Arts & CultureInternationalHealthEducationCrime & LegalPublic BenefitOther
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

  • TT
    THE TRUSTEES OF THE SMITH COLLEGE
    5× · 2020–2025 · $1.2M · revenue +35%
  • GT
    GUTHRIE THEATER FOUNDATION
    5× · 2020–2025 · $252k · revenue +93%
  • MP
    MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO AMERICAN PUBLIC MEDIA
    3× · 2020–2022 · $166k · revenue +11%

Funded once

  • IT
    INNERCITY TENNIS FOUNDATIONgraduated
    one grant, 2020 · $25k · revenue +47%
  • MI
    MYASWAN INCgraduated
    one grant, 2020 · $25k · revenue +79%
  • ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION FOR A NEW AMERICAN UNIVERSITYgraduated
    one grant, 2020 · $20k · revenue +93%
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
Minnesota Medical Association

To be the leading voice of medicine to make minnesota the healthiest state and the best place to practice.

—
2
Minnesota Business Partnership

The minnesota business partnership's mission is to maintain a high quality of life for all minnesotans by ensuring that the state's economy remains strong, globally competitive and its prospects for growth bright by working with elected…

—
3
Minnesota Council on Foundations

MCF is a vibrant philanthropic community connecting, strengthening and mobilizing the power of philanthropy to advance prosperity and equity.

—
4
National Public Radio Inc

National public radio, inc. ("npr") works collaboratively with member public radio station licensees ("member stations") to create a more informed public, one that is challenged and invigorated by a deeper understanding and appreciation of…

Arts & Culture
5
University of Minnesota Foundation Investment Advisors

To provide the highest level of stewardship for university donors through professional management and oversight of the university of minnesota foundation's assets by creating a focused investment environment with clarity of purpose,…

Education
6
Npr Foundation

The npr foundation ("foundation") is organized and operated exclusively for the benefit of its sole supported organization, national public radio, inc. ("npr inc."). the foundation supports npr inc. through various activities such as…

—
7
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The minnesota chamber of commerce proactively leads the business community statewide to: advance pro-business, responsible minnesota public policy that creates jobs and grows the econony; provde member services to address evolving business…

—
8
Minneapolis Downtown Council

To create an extraordinary downtown minneapolis, applying the core values of leadership, collaboration, advocacy and innovation.

—
9
Minneapolis Saint Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership

The mission of the greater msp partnership is to accelerate regional competitiveness and inclusive economic growth through job creation, capital investment and execution of strategic initiatives. the partnership works to strengthen our…

Community Improvement
10
Minnesota State Fair Foundation

The minnesota state fair foundation's mission is to preserve and improve the historic minnesota state fairgrounds and support state fair programs and projects in agriculture, arts & culture, education, the environment, and history.

Philanthropy
11
Minnesota Land Trust

The minnesota land trust protects and restores minnesota's most vital natural lands in order to provide wildlife habitat, clean water, outdoor experiences and scenic beauty for generations to come.

Environment
12
The Minneapolis Foundation

The foundation cultivates generosity by taking action on the greatest civic, social, and economic needs partnering with nonprofits, facilitating grantmaking, driving research and advocacy, and providing services to donors seeking to make a…

Philanthropy
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is University of Minnesota Foundation; the most unlike its peers is Grand Teton National Park Foundation. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
05the grantee network

40 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. 40 of the 50 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)
39/40
Grantees still filing
31/40
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

MINNESOTA ORCHESTRAL ASSOCIATION: $2,337,731 · Arts & CultureMINNESOTA ORCHESTRAL ASSOCIATIONGUTHRIE THEATER FOUNDATION: $252,406 · Arts & CultureGUTHRIE THEATER FOUNDATIONMINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO AMERICAN PUBLIC MEDIA: $166,484 · Arts & CultureMINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO AMERICAN PUBLIC MEDIA+7 more: $131,573 · Arts & CultureTHE TRUSTEES OF THE SMITH COLLEGE: $1,156,142 · EducationTHE TRUSTEES OF THE SMITH COL…Breck School: $47,564 · Education+2 more: $53,042 · EducationHENNEPIN AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: $152,000 · OtherTHE RETREAT: $75,500 · OtherPARK NICOLLET FOUNDATION: $26,250 · OtherMYASWAN INC: $25,000 · Other+20 more: $56,880 · OtherFairVote Minnesota Foundation: $76,968 · Public BenefitNATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR DEMOCRACY: $45,000 · Public BenefitEVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY SUPPORT FUND INC: $40,045 · Crime & LegalNOMI NETWORK INC: $32,408 · Crime & LegalNORTHSIDE ACHIEVEMENT ZONE: $7,000 · Crime & LegalMAYO CLINIC: $28,052 · HealthIntl Soc For Cardiovascular Tran Res: $15,000 · HealthFamily Tree Inc: $5,000 · Health+2 more: $850 · HealthINNERCITY TENNIS FOUNDATION: $25,000 · Recreation & SportsMinneapolis Parks Foundation: $19,863 · Recreation & Sports
Arts & Culture$2,888,194Education$1,256,748Other$335,630Public Benefit$121,968Crime & Legal$79,453Health$48,902Recreation & Sports$44,863

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

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetMINNESOTA ORCHESTRAL ASSOCIATION: $2,337,731 over 7y, 1.8% of budgetTHE TRUSTEES OF THE SMITH COLLEGE: $1,156,142 over 5y, 0.1% of budgetGUTHRIE THEATER FOUNDATION: $252,406 over 5y, 0.3% of budgetMINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO AMERICAN PUBLIC MEDIA: $166,484 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetFairVote Minnesota Foundation: $76,968 over 3y, 5.3% of budgetBreck School: $47,564 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetNATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR DEMOCRACY: $45,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetGRAND TETON MUSIC FESTIVAL INC: $40,052 over 3y, 0.5% of budgetEVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY SUPPORT FUND INC: $40,045 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetUNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: $33,042 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetNOMI NETWORK INC: $32,408 over 2y, 1.2% of budgetMINNEAPOLIS SOCIETY OF FINE ARTS DBA MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ARTS: $30,021 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetMAYO CLINIC: $28,052 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetPARK NICOLLET FOUNDATION: $26,250 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetINNERCITY TENNIS FOUNDATION: $25,000 over 1y, 1.1% of budgetMYASWAN INC: $25,000 over 1y, 1.1% of budgetARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION FOR A NEW AMERICAN UNIVERSITY: $20,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTWIN CITIES PUBLIC TELEVISION INC: $20,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetMinneapolis Parks Foundation: $19,863 over 3y, 0.4% of budgetVOCALESSENCE: $16,500 over 3y, 0.4% of budgetIntl Soc For Cardiovascular Tran Res: $15,000 over 3y, 2.3% of budgetTHE AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTE: $12,000 over 3y, 0.2% of budgetFILMNORTH: $10,000 over 1y, 0.9% of budgetTANZANIA HEALTH PARTNERSHIP: $10,000 over 2y, 0.6% of budgetNORTHSIDE ACHIEVEMENT ZONE: $7,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetFamily Tree Inc: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetECPAT-USA INC: $4,500 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetMINNESOTA SPAY & NEUTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION: $4,500 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetGRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION: $4,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetNATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART OF THE UNITED STATES: $3,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCOURAGE KENNY FOUNDATION: $2,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetFREEDOM HOUSE: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetGIRL SCOUTS OF MN AND WI RIVER VALLEYS INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetGREATER TWIN CITIES UNITED WAY: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTUBMAN: $700 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetHUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FOUNDATION: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetLake Minnetonka Association: $500 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetThe Advocates For Human Rights: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION: $100 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.

The Minneapolis Found…Mightycause Charitabl…Saint Paul & Minnesot…Margaret a Cargill Fo…George Family Foundat…Xcel Energy FoundationFr Bigelow FoundationPohlad Family Foundat…The McKnight Foundati…Thrivent Charitable I…Ch Robinson Worldwide…United Way Worldwide
The Minneapolis FoundationMN30.1× affinity14 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The Minneapolis Foundation · Mightycause Charitable Foundation · Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation · Margaret a Cargill Foundation · George Family Foundation · Xcel Energy Foundation · Fr Bigelow Foundation · Pohlad Family Foundation · The McKnight Foundation · Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing · Ch Robinson Worldwide Foundation · United Way Worldwide

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 Marilyn and Glen Nelson Family Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Marilyn and Glen Nelson Family Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%1%3%6%10%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →median 1%
  • The Trustees of the Smith College: 1% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
0get no government money at all
14report 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.
05Through Plinth

Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

How do I get to Marilyn and Glen Nelson Family Foundation?

Find your warmest path to Marilyn and Glen Nelson Family Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

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 50 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 Marilyn and Glen 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