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Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Ron and Joyce 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.

$158k
Granted FY2025still arriving
30
Grants FY2025still arriving
6
States reached
$10k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0194% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2019 to 2025.

Health$144kHuman Services$124kArts & Culture$123kCivil Rights$80kInternational$44kFood & Nutrition$37kCrime & Legal$30kYouth Development$19kOther$0
02FY2025 · 30 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k24 grants · $98k
  • $10k–50k6 grants · $60k
$5,000
Median grant
6
States reached
$3.0M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
ANTI DEFAMATION LEAGUE$10,000
FRIENDS OF VISTA HILL$10,000
BRAIN & BEHAVIOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION$10,000
NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLINESS$10,000
CHILD MIND INSTITUTE$10,000
KPBS$10,000
SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR CHILDREN$7,500
THE OLD GLOBE$6,000
SEACREST$5,000
PROMISES 2 KIDS$5,000
PLANNED PARENTHOOD$5,000
VOICES FOR CHILDREN$5,000
LA JOLLA MUSIC SOCIETY$5,000
SCRIPPS HEALTH$5,000
NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO$5,000
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 (FY19–25, $58k) land where the poverty rate runs at 11%, against an area that typically sits at 10%. 99% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 10%CHARITY NAVIGATOR: $100 → 7%WORLD FOOD PROGRAM USA: $8k → 14%CHARITY NAVIGATOR: $100 → 7%CHARITY NAVIGATOR: $50 → 7%WORLD FOOD PROGRAM USA: $6k → 14%CHARITY NAVIGATOR: $50 → 7%ZERO8HUNDRED: $2k → 11%SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR CHILDREN: $8k → 11%SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR CHILDREN: $5k → 11%SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR CHILDREN: $5k → 11%SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR CHILDREN: $5k → 11%SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR CHILDREN: $5k → 11%SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR CHILDREN: $5k → 11%SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR CHILDREN: $3k → 11%NORTH COUNTY LIFELINE: $3k → 11%COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER: $3k → 11%CANINE COMPANIONS: $500 → 11%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

VT
ND
NY
OH
NJ
CT
RI
CA
VA
DC
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.

83%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$538k · 29 repeat orgs$113k to everyone else

29 repeat relationships: 22 still active in FY2025, 7 since wound down; 8 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

29
22

Total granted

$538k
$70k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+34%
+46%

Still filing today

66%
55%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 73% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $43k went to new ones.

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

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

’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
HealthHuman ServicesArts & CultureInternationalCivil RightsFood & NutritionOther
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

  • FO
    FRIENDS OF VISTA HILL FOUNDATION
    6× · 2020–2025 · $40k · revenue +49%
  • AL
    ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE
    4× · 2021–2025 · $40k · revenue +34%
  • CM
    CHILD MIND INSTITUTE INC
    5× · 2020–2025 · $38k · revenue +143%

Funded once

  • PS
    PASADENA SYMPHONY AND PROPS
    one grant, 2021 · $17k
  • MD
    MAGEN DAVID ADOM
    one grant, 2023 · $10k
  • Save The Children Federation Inc
    one grant, 2022 · $10k · revenue -13%
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
The San Diego Foundation

The san diego foundation inspires enduring philanthropy and enables community solutions to improve the quality of life in our region.

Philanthropy
2
California Dental Association

The california dental association is committed to the success of our members in service to their patients and the public.

Community Improvement
3
American Academy of Neurology

The Academy's mission is to enhance member career fulfillment and promote brain health for all.

Community Improvement
4
California Dental Association Foundation

The foundation's mission is to improve the oral health of all californians by supporting the dental profession and its efforts to meet community needs.

Science & Tech
5
Altamed Health Services Corporation

To eliminate disparities in health care access and outcomes by providing superior quality health and human services through an integrated world-class delivery system for latino, multi-ethnic underserved communities in southern california.

Health
6
Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States Inc

The fsmb serves as the voice for state medical boards, supporting them through education, assessment, research and advocacy while providing services and initiatives that promote patient safety, quality health care and regulatory best…

Health
7
Banner -University Medical Group

Assist banner health complete its mission to make health care easier so life can be better by providing integrated & coordinated care & population health management.

Health
8
Society for Neuroscience

Sfn's mission is to: 1. advance the understanding of the brain and the nervous system by bringing together scientists of all segments of neuroscience, by facilitating the integration of research directed at all levels of biological…

Health
9
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…

—
10
Jewish Federation of San Diego County

Jewish federation of san diego county is dedicated to building a vibrant, caring, connected, and enduring jewish community.

—
11
United States Naval Institute

Provide an independent forum for those who dare to read, think, speak, and write to advance the professional, literary, and scientific understanding of sea power and other issues critical to global security.

—
12
Northern California Institute for Research and Education Inc

To improve the health and well-being of veterans and the general public by supporting a world-class biomedical research program conducted by ucsf faculty at the san francisco veterans affairs health care system.

Health
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is San Diego Center for Children; the most unlike its peers is American Diabetes Association. 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

37 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. 37 of the 61 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)
5
Early backer (in before they grew)
36/37
Grantees still filing
27/37
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

SEACREST: $40,810 · OtherSEACRESTSERRA CENTER: $31,864 · OtherSERRA CENTERPROMISES2KIDS FOUNDATION: $27,500 · OtherPROMISES2KIDS FOUNDATIONKPBS: $22,000 · OtherKPBSJEWISH FAMILY SERVICES: $20,450 · OtherJEWISH FAMILY SERVICESPLANNED PARENTHOOD: $20,000 · OtherPLANNED PARENTHOODIndividual grant recipient: $20,000 · OtherIndividual grant recipientPASADENA SYMPHONY AND PROPS: $17,000 · OtherPASADENA SYMPHONY AND PROPSTHE OLD GLOBE: $14,000 · OtherBig Brothers Big Sisters Of America: $10,150 · OtherNATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLINESS: $10,000 · OtherMAGEN DAVID ADOM: $10,000 · OtherNATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR RESEARCH ON SCHIZOPHRENIA AND DEPRESSION: $10,000 · Other+16 more: $37,708 · Other+16 moreFRIENDS OF VISTA HILL FOUNDATION: $40,000 · Civil RightsFRIENDS OF VISTA HI…ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE: $40,000 · Civil RightsANTI-DEFAMATION LEA…VOICES FOR CHILDREN: $30,000 · Civil RightsVOICES FOR CHILDRENCHILD MIND INSTITUTE INC: $37,500 · HealthCHILD MIND IN…SCRIPPS HEALTH: $12,000 · HealthSCRIPPS HEALT…DIABETES RESEARCH CONNECTION: $7,500 · HealthDIABETES RESE…AUTISM SPEAKS INC: $5,500 · HealthAUTISM SPEAKS…GREENWICH HOSPITAL: $5,000 · HealthGREENWICH HOS…THE JED FOUNDATION: $5,000 · HealthTHE JED FOUND…American Diabetes Association: $2,628 · Health+3 more: $3,000 · HealthSAN DIEGO CENTER FOR CHILDREN: $35,544 · Human ServicesSAN DIEGO …FRIENDS OF THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM INC: $13,500 · Human ServicesFRIENDS OF…COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER: $3,333 · Human ServicesCOMMUNITY …NORTH COUNTY LIFELINE INC DBA LIFELINE COMMUNITY SERVICES: $3,044 · Human ServicesZero8Hundred Inc: $2,173 · Human Services+2 more: $800 · Human ServicesFRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES: $25,000 · InternationalSave The Children Federation Inc: $10,000 · InternationalMEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC: $5,250 · InternationalJUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY INC: $2,000 · InternationalRADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION SAN DIEGO: $25,150 · Philanthropy+1 more: $600 · PhilanthropyLA JOLLA MUSIC SOCIETY: $14,000 · Arts & CulturePBS FOUNDATION: $5,000 · Arts & CultureNATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO INC: $5,000 · Arts & CultureNew Light Theater Project Inc: $1,000 · Arts & Culture+1 more: $500 · Arts & CultureFEEDING SAN DIEGO: $23,833 · Food & Nutrition
Other$291,482Civil Rights$110,000Health$78,128Human Services$58,394International$42,250Philanthropy$25,750Arts & Culture$25,500Food & Nutrition$23,833

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 budgetFRIENDS OF VISTA HILL FOUNDATION: $40,000 over 6y, 0.4% of budgetANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE: $40,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetCHILD MIND INSTITUTE INC: $37,500 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetSAN DIEGO CENTER FOR CHILDREN: $35,544 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetVOICES FOR CHILDREN: $30,000 over 6y, 0.1% of budgetPROMISES2KIDS FOUNDATION: $27,500 over 5y, 0.1% of budgetRADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION SAN DIEGO: $25,150 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetFRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES: $25,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetFEEDING SAN DIEGO: $23,833 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetLA JOLLA MUSIC SOCIETY: $14,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetFRIENDS OF THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM INC: $13,500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetSCRIPPS HEALTH: $12,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetBig Brothers Big Sisters Of America: $10,150 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetSave The Children Federation Inc: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetDIABETES RESEARCH CONNECTION: $7,500 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetAUTISM SPEAKS INC: $5,500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetMEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC: $5,250 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetPBS FOUNDATION: $5,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetNATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetGREENWICH HOSPITAL: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCOMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER: $3,333 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $3,333 over 1y, 10% of budgetNORTH COUNTY LIFELINE INC DBA LIFELINE COMMUNITY SERVICES: $3,044 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetAmerican Diabetes Association: $2,628 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetZero8Hundred Inc: $2,173 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetActive Minds Inc: $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetJUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY INC: $2,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetNew Light Theater Project Inc: $1,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetLIBRARY GUILD OF RANCHO SANTA FE: $950 over 5y, 0.2% of budgetRANCHO SANTA FE FOUNDATION: $600 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetCANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE INC: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCALIFORNIA CENTER FOR THE ARTS ESCONDIDO FOUNDATION: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPARKINSON'S FOUNDATION INC: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetThe Miriam Hospital Foundation: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCharity Navigator: $300 over 4y, 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.

Jewish Community Foun…The San Diego Foundat…Rancho Santa Fe Found…The Parker FoundationThe Cushman FoundationDavid C Copley Founda…The Conrad Prebys Fou…Price Philanthropies …The Nordson Corporati…The Thomas C Ackerman…Walter J & Betty C Za…Sempra Foundation
Jewish Community Foundation of San DiegoCA27.4× affinity11 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego · The San Diego Foundation · Rancho Santa Fe Foundation · The Parker Foundation · The Cushman Foundation · David C Copley Foundation · The Conrad Prebys Foundation · Price Philanthropies Foundation · The Nordson Corporation Foundation · The Thomas C Ackerman Foundation · Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation · Sempra 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 Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Ron and Joyce Nelson Family Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 10%1%4%8%15%funder's share of their income ↑0%15%30%45%60%share of the org’s income from government →median 21%
  • Save the Children Federation Inc: 30% of income from government
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: 21% of income from government
  • Greenwich Hospital: 0% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
1get no government money at all
8report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–60%
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 61 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 Ron and Joyce 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