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Nelson Family Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Nelson Family Foundation

Its FY2024 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$26k
Granted FY2024still arriving
18
Grants FY2024still arriving
3
States reached
$12k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0196% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2018.

Philanthropy$21kArts & Culture$14kAnimals$5kHealth$4kHuman Services$2kRecreation & Sports$2kEnvironment$600Youth Development$600Other$0
02FY2024 · 18 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • Under $10k17 grants · $14k
  • $10k–50k1 grant · $12k
$200
Median grant
3
States reached
$190k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
DENVER CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION$11,700
UNIVERSITY OF CO HOSPITAL FOUNDATIO$5,000
REGIS JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL$3,000
COLORADO FOOD BANK$1,000
ST MARY'S ACADEMY$1,000
RED CROSS OF COLORADO$1,000
DENVER RESCUE MISSION$500
WASHBURN UNIVERSITY$500
JOHN AUSTIN CHELEY FOUNDATION$200
DENVER BOYS & GIRLS CLUB$200
MILE HIGH JAPANESE AMERICAN CITIZEN$200
ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION OF COLORADO$200
BRAIN TUMOR SOCIETY$200
ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS$200
ROCKY MOUNTAIN MS CENTER$200
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 (FY24–24, $12k) land where the poverty rate runs at 12%, against an area that typically sits at 8%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 8%DENVER CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION: $12k → 12%DENVER RESCUE MISSION: $500 → 12%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.
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.

65%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$50k · 20 repeat orgs$26k to everyone else

20 repeat relationships: 4 still active in FY2024, 16 since wound down; 14 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

20
4

Total granted

$50k
$2k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+33%
+80%

Still filing today

60%
75%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 3% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $25k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’24
RenewedFirst-time

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

’17’18’24
Arts & CultureHuman ServicesAnimalsRecreation & SportsEnvironmentCommunity ImprovementOther
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

  • DD
    DENVER DUMB FRIENDS LEAGUE
    2× · 2017–2018 · $4k · revenue +254%
  • PB
    PUBLIC BROADCASTING OF COLORADO INC
    3× · 2017–2024 · $3k · revenue +81%
  • JA
    JOHN AUSTIN CHELEY FOUNDATION INC
    3× · 2017–2024 · $1k · revenue +14%

Funded once

  • CG
    COLORADO GOLF FOUNDATIONgraduated
    one grant, 2018 · $500 · revenue +171%
  • IG
    Individual grant recipient
    one grant, 2017 · $500
  • OC
    OPERA COLORADOgraduated
    one grant, 2017 · $300 · revenue +30%
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
Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau

To bring conventions and leisure visitors to denver for the economic benefit of the city, the community, and our partners.

—
2
Aia Colorado

AIA Colorado,is the voice of the architecture profession in Colorado. Through advocacy, leadership development, education and resources for architects, the organization supports architecture professionals in designing a better world where…

—
3
The Childrens Museum of Denver Inc

To create extraordinary experiences that champion the wonder and joy of childhood.

Arts & Culture
4
Denver Film Society

The mission of the denver film society is to develop opportunities for diverse audiences to discover film through creative, thought-provoking experiences. we strive to cultivate and celebrate film as an art form; to enrich and expand the…

Arts & Culture
5
Community Radio for Northern Colorado

Community radio for northern colorado's (crnc) mission is to strengthen our community by cultivating the mind and spirit - informing, inspiring, and entertaining. crnc strives to meet its mission by operating two public media services -…

Arts & Culture
6
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce

The denver metro chamber of commerce is the architect of tomorrow, igniting change and driving progress to build dynamic economies and communities. we champion innovation, forge powerful partnerships, and relentlessly advocate for our…

—
7
Colorado Symphony Association

The colorado symphony association (csa) is a not-for-profit organization established to fund and operate the colorado symphony orchestra for the enjoyment and benefit of the citizens of metropolitan denver and (cont'd on schedule…

Arts & Culture
8
Colorado Gives Foundation

We connect people, ideas, and nonprofits to make good happen. our vision is that all of jeffco is thriving.

Philanthropy
9
Colorado Open Lands

Colorado open lands' mission is to preserve the significant open lands and natural heritage of colorado through private and public partnerships, innovative land conservation, and strategic leadership.

Environment
10
Colorado Jazz Ambassadors
Arts & Culture
11
Colo Foundation for Water Education

Water education colorado ensures coloradans are informed on water issues and equipped to make decisions that guide our state to a sustainable water future.

Environment
12
Colorado Nonprofit Association

Colorado nonprofit association strengthens colorado's nonprofits through education, connection and advocacy.

Community Improvement
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is The Denver Foundation; the most unlike its peers is Wounded Warrior Project Inc. 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

19 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. 19 of the 39 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)
2
Early backer (in before they grew)
19/19
Grantees still filing
15/19
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

THE HOTCHKISS FUND: $20,000 · OtherTHE HOTCHKISS FUNDUNIVERSITY OF CO HOSPITAL FOUNDATIO: $5,000 · OtherUNIVERSITY OF CO HOSPITAL FOUNDATIOSWALLOW HILL MUSIC ASSOCIATION: $4,000 · OtherSWALLOW HILL MUSIC ASSOCIATIONREGIS JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL: $3,000 · OtherREGIS JESUIT HIGH SCHOOLIndividual grant recipient: $2,000 · OtherVAIL VALLEY MEDICAL FOUNDATION: $2,000 · OtherBRAVO VAIL VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL: $2,000 · OtherUNIVERSITY OF CO HOSPITAL FOUNDATION: $2,000 · Other+14 more: $7,100 · Other+14 moreThe Denver Children's Foundation: $11,700 · Human ServicesThe Denver Children…WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT INC: $800 · Human ServicesWOUNDED WARRIOR PRO…DENVER RESCUE MISSION: $500 · Human ServicesPUBLIC BROADCASTING OF COLORADO INC: $3,200 · Arts & CulturePUBLIC BROAD…ROCKY MOUNTAIN PUBLIC MEDIA INC: $3,200 · Arts & CultureROCKY MOUNTA…THE SANTA FE OPERA: $600 · Arts & CultureTHE SANTA FE…DENVER ART MUSEUM: $600 · Arts & CultureDENVER ART M…Colorado Museum of Natural History: $600 · Arts & CultureColorado Mus…OPERA COLORADO: $300 · Arts & CultureCENTRAL CITY OPERA HOUSE ASSOCIATION: $300 · Arts & CultureDENVER DUMB FRIENDS LEAGUE: $4,000 · AnimalsDENVER ZOOLOGICAL FOUNDATION: $600 · AnimalsJOHN AUSTIN CHELEY FOUNDATION INC: $1,200 · Recreation & SportsCOLORADO GOLF FOUNDATION: $500 · Recreation & SportsDENVER BOTANIC GARDENS INC: $700 · EnvironmentTHE DENVER FOUNDATION: $600 · PhilanthropyJUNIOR LEAGUE OF DENVER FOUNDATION: $600 · Community Improvement
Other$47,100Human Services$13,000Arts & Culture$8,800Animals$4,600Recreation & Sports$1,700Environment$700Philanthropy$600Community Improvement$600

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 budgetThe Denver Children's Foundation: $11,700 over 1y, 0.7% of budgetDENVER DUMB FRIENDS LEAGUE: $4,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetSWALLOW HILL MUSIC ASSOCIATION: $4,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetPUBLIC BROADCASTING OF COLORADO INC: $3,200 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetROCKY MOUNTAIN PUBLIC MEDIA INC: $3,200 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetJOHN AUSTIN CHELEY FOUNDATION INC: $1,200 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetWOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT INC: $800 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetDENVER BOTANIC GARDENS INC: $700 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetTHE SANTA FE OPERA: $600 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetDENVER ZOOLOGICAL FOUNDATION: $600 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetTHE DENVER FOUNDATION: $600 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetJUNIOR LEAGUE OF DENVER FOUNDATION: $600 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetDENVER ART MUSEUM: $600 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetColorado Museum of Natural History: $600 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetDENVER RESCUE MISSION: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCOLORADO GOLF FOUNDATION: $500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetOPERA COLORADO: $300 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCENTRAL CITY OPERA HOUSE ASSOCIATION: $300 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetROCKY MOUNTAIN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS CENTER: $200 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.

Colorado Gives Founda…The Anschutz Foundati…Xcel Energy FoundationMorgan Stanley Global…Vanguard Charitable E…Donor Advised Charita…Fidelity Investments …Amazonsmile Foundation
Colorado Gives FoundationCO15.2× affinity5 shared granteesties to 7 of 7Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Colorado Gives Foundation · The Anschutz Foundation · Xcel Energy Foundation · Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · Donor Advised Charitable Giving Inc · Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund · Amazonsmile Foundation

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

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%1%3%4%5%share of the org’s income from government →median 0%
  • Wounded Warrior Project Inc: 0% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
0get no government money at all
5report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–5%
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 39 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 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on 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