The Nelson Charitable Foundation primarily supports local conservative Christian churches and faith-based education in and around Clear Lake, Iowa, with a secondary emphasis on capital projects and mission logistics (buildings, security vehicles, aircraft/hangar). Grants are large and targeted, often awarded repeatedly to the same congregations and Christian schools, indicating long-term relationships with a small set of faith organizations. Their giving suggests a mix of local parish support, private Christian school strengthening, and funding for mission/outreach infrastructure.
A $100,000 capital-improvements grant to Redeemer Bible Church in Minnetonka, Minnesota sets the tone for Jd Nelson and Debra Nelson Charitable Foundation’s recent giving: large, targeted awards to churches, Christian schools, and faith-based ministries. The foundation’s pattern is not broad charitable sampling. It repeatedly backs a small circle of organizations, with several recipients appearing in multiple years and at different funding levels. Their grants show a strong preference for church-related support, including general operating support, building funds, technology, and safety-related purchases. Clear Lake-area institutions appear often, but the foundation also funds Christian organizations in nearby Iowa communities and in other Midwestern states. A second thread runs through its mission-oriented giving, where awards have supported a float plane and hangar, training travel, and outreach logistics. The foundation also extends support to Christian education and youth-serving organizations, including private schools, camps, and mentoring groups. In the recent record, that includes Clear Lake Classical, Southwest Christian High School, Trinity Academy Inc, and Youth Horizons, alongside church and ministry grants tied to concrete projects rather than unrestricted outreach.
Church support is a central theme. The foundation gave $80,000 to Plymouth Bible Baptist Church for general support and $59,500 to Open Bible Church in Clear Lake for general support, reflecting ongoing backing for congregational needs. Christian education is another clear focus. Grants include $50,000 to Clear Lake Classical for a school grant, $25,000 to St Johns Lutheran School for a capital campaign, and $15,000 to Bethel College for its fine arts department. They also fund mission and outreach infrastructure. World Harvest Outreach received $65,000 to build a float plane and hangar, while Christian Assn of Youth Mentoring received $15,000 for an Uganda training conference. Safety and facilities show up too: Trinity Academy Inc received $50,000 for a security vehicle, and Cedar Springs Camp received $15,000 for bathroom facilities.
Grant sizes are typically modest to mid-sized, with a p25 of $1,000, median of $3,500, and p75 of $10,000. The recent record also includes a smaller set of much larger awards, which suggests a layered pattern of routine support plus occasional major project funding. Recipients recur across years: Clear Lake Classical, World Harvest Outreach, Redeemer Bible Church, Open Bible Church, Southwest Christian High School, Clear Lake Community Schools, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes all appear more than once. The foundation makes grants rather than program-related investments and does not fund individuals. Awards are mostly one-time or annual support tied to specific projects, campaigns, or general operating needs.
$765K
$9.1M
$1M
$815K
Most grants fall between $1K and $10K, with a median of $4K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$4K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small number of repeat grantees; preference for capital and one-off infrastructure gifts alongside occasional unrestricted support for churches and schools.
Notable grantees: Redeemer Bible Church, Clear Lake Classical, Plymouth Bible Baptist Church, World Harvest Outreach, Open Bible Church
Most grants go to Iowa recipients, which account for 44% of grants by count. Clear Lake appears repeatedly, alongside Mason City, Eagle Grove, Ventura, and Floyd. Outside Iowa, the foundation also gives in Minnesota, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based in the recent record, with no grants shown outside the United States.
The recent grants point to churches, Christian schools, camps, mentoring organizations, and related ministries. Examples include Plymouth Bible Baptist Church for general support, Clear Lake Classical for a school grant, and Youth Horizons for general support.
Its grant-size profile centers on smaller awards, with a p25 of $1,000, a median of $3,500, and a p75 of $10,000. The recent record also includes larger project grants such as $100,000 and $80,000 awards.
Yes. Iowa is the top state by grant count, and 44% of grants go to recipients in Iowa. Clear Lake appears frequently, but the foundation also gives to organizations in Minnesota, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Yes. Several grants are tied to property and infrastructure, including $100,000 to Redeemer Bible Church for capital improvements, $65,000 to World Harvest Outreach for a float plane and hangar, and $15,000 to Cedar Springs Camp for bathroom facilities.
Yes. Recent education grants include $50,000 to Clear Lake Classical for a school grant, $25,000 to St Johns Lutheran School for a capital campaign, and $15,000 to Bethel College for its fine arts department.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REDEEMER BIBLE CHURCH | MINNETONKA, MN | $100,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS |
| PLYMOUTH BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH | PLYMOUTH, IA | $80,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WORLD HARVEST OUTREACH | SHELL LAKE, WI | $65,000 | 2025 | BLDG. FLOAT PLANE, HANGAR |
| OPEN BIBLE CHURCH | CLEAR LAKE, IA | $59,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CLEAR LAKE CLASSICAL | CLEAR LAKE, IA | $50,000 | 2025 | SCHOOL GRANT |
| INFAITH | EXTON, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | ASHLEY COLMAN |
| TRINITY ACADEMY INC | WICHITA, KS | $50,000 | 2025 | SECURITY VEHICLE |
| GOSERV GLOBAL INC | EAGLE GROVE, IA | $30,000 | 2025 | MOVING ASSISTANCE |
| CLEAR LAKE COMMUNITY SHOOLS | CLEAR LAKE, IA | $27,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| YOUTH HORIZONS | WICHITA, KS | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RIVER CITY COMMUNITY CHURCH | WICHITA, KS | $25,000 | 2025 | TECH UPGRADES |
| MASON CITY FAMILY YMCA | MASON CITY, IA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOUTHWEST CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL | CHASKA, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | BUILDING CAMPAIGN |
| ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL | CHASKA, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES | WICHITA, KS | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TOGETHER FOR GOOD | SAINT PAUL, MN | $20,000 | 2025 | FAMILIES IN CRISIS |
| CHRISTIAN ASSN OF YOUTH MENTORING | WITCHTA, KS | $15,000 | 2025 | UGANDA TRAINING CONFERENCE |
| HAWKEYE HARVEST FOOD BANK | MASON CITY, IA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BETHEL COLLEGE | SAINT PAUL, MN | $15,000 | 2025 | FINE ARTS DEP |
| UNITED TO SERVE WITH PASSION & PURP | CLEAR LAKE, IA | $13,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SALVATION ARMY | MASON CITY, IA | $12,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHEER FUND | MASON CITY, IA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SERVING WORKERS FOR THE HARVEST | RIVERVIEW, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FREEDOM IN HIS GRACE | MASON CITY, IA | $5,000 | 2025 | WOMENS' SHELTER |
| CLEAR LAKE BOOSTER CLUB | CLEAR LAKE, IA | $3,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CLEAR LAKE CLASSICAL | CLEAR LAKE, IA | $50,000 | 2024 | BUILDING FUND |
| REDEEMER BIBLE CHURCH | MINNETONKA, MN | $50,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
| WORLD HARVEST OUTREACH | SHELL LAKE, WI | $30,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
| YOUTH FOR CHRIST | MASON CITY, IA | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| IOWA REGULAR BAPTIST CAMP | VENTURA, IA | $20,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
| CLEAR LAKE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | CLEAR LAKE, IA | $16,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES | WICHITA, KS | $15,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
| CLEAR LAKE WRESTLING CLUB | CLEAR LAKE, IA | $11,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
| SALVATION ARMY | MASON CITY, IA | $10,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CLEAR LAKE OPEN BIBLE CHURCH | CLEAR LAKE, IA | $10,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
| KANSAS UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN CHALLENGE | LAWRENCE, KS | $10,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
| CHURCH MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL INC | PLANO, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
| ONELINK INTERNATIONAL | WICHITA, KS | $10,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
| PLYMOUTH BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH | PLYMOUTH, IA | $10,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
| YOUTH HORIZONS | WICHITA, KS | $10,000 | 2024 | MENTORING PROGRAM |
| LIFEPOINTE CHURCH OF AMES | AMES, IA | $8,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
| GOSERV GLOBAL INC | EAGLE GROVE, IA | $8,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
| BETHEL COLLEGE | REDDING, CA | $8,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
| TOGETHER FOR GOOD | ST PAUL, MN | $8,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY KITCHEN OF NORTH IOWA | MASON CITY, IA | $7,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
| UNITED TO SERVE WITH PASSION & PURPOSE | CLEAR LAKE, IA | $5,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
| OPEN BIBLE CHURCH | CLEAR LAKE, IA | $5,000 | 2024 | SOUND BOARD |
| ETHNOS360 | SANFORD, FL | $5,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
| CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF YOUTH MENTORING | WICHITA, KS | $4,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
| KSU CHRISTIAN CHALLENGE | MANHATTAN, KS | $4,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT |
REDEEMER BIBLE CHURCH
$100,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
PLYMOUTH BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH
$80,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WORLD HARVEST OUTREACH
$65,000BLDG. FLOAT PLANE, HANGAR
OPEN BIBLE CHURCH
$59,500GENERAL SUPPORT
CLEAR LAKE CLASSICAL
$50,000SCHOOL GRANT
CLEAR LAKE COMMUNITY SHOOLS
$27,000GENERAL SUPPORT
YOUTH HORIZONS
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
RIVER CITY COMMUNITY CHURCH
$25,000TECH UPGRADES
MASON CITY FAMILY YMCA
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL
$25,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHRISTIAN ASSN OF YOUTH MENTORING
$15,000UGANDA TRAINING CONFERENCE
HAWKEYE HARVEST FOOD BANK
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BETHEL COLLEGE
$15,000FINE ARTS DEP
UNITED TO SERVE WITH PASSION & PURP
$13,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SALVATION ARMY
$12,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHEER FUND
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SERVING WORKERS FOR THE HARVEST
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FREEDOM IN HIS GRACE
$5,000WOMENS' SHELTER
CLEAR LAKE BOOSTER CLUB
$3,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CLEAR LAKE CLASSICAL
$50,000BUILDING FUND
REDEEMER BIBLE CHURCH
$50,000SUPPORT
WORLD HARVEST OUTREACH
$30,000SUPPORT
YOUTH FOR CHRIST
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
IOWA REGULAR BAPTIST CAMP
$20,000SUPPORT
CLEAR LAKE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
$16,000SUPPORT
FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES
$15,000SUPPORT
CLEAR LAKE WRESTLING CLUB
$11,000SUPPORT
SALVATION ARMY
$10,500GENERAL SUPPORT
CLEAR LAKE OPEN BIBLE CHURCH
$10,000SUPPORT
KANSAS UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN CHALLENGE
$10,000SUPPORT
CHURCH MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL INC
$10,000SUPPORT
ONELINK INTERNATIONAL
$10,000SUPPORT
PLYMOUTH BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH
$10,000SUPPORT
YOUTH HORIZONS
$10,000MENTORING PROGRAM
LIFEPOINTE CHURCH OF AMES
$8,000SUPPORT
BETHEL COLLEGE
$8,000SUPPORT
COMMUNITY KITCHEN OF NORTH IOWA
$7,000SUPPORT
UNITED TO SERVE WITH PASSION & PURPOSE
$5,000SUPPORT
OPEN BIBLE CHURCH
$5,000SOUND BOARD
ETHNOS360
$5,000SUPPORT
CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF YOUTH MENTORING
$4,000SUPPORT
KSU CHRISTIAN CHALLENGE
$4,000SUPPORT