The Jonathan M Nelson Family Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on high-impact higher-education and basic research institutions, making large, strategic gifts to prominent universities and independent research centers. It also supports biomedical and hospital initiatives and makes substantial contributions to donor-advised vehicles and organizations addressing antisemitism, indicating interest in both research-driven knowledge creation and targeted social causes. Grants are few but large, often to nationally recognized institutions rather than small grassroots organizations.
A defining feature of the Jonathan M Nelson Family Foundation is its repeated support for institutions that produce knowledge at scale: Brown University received $6,000,000 in 2023, and the Institute for Advanced Study received $3,550,000 in 2025. That pattern points to a funder drawn to universities, research centers, and other organizations working on education, scholarship, and science. The foundation also gives meaningful support to healthcare and biomedical efforts, including a seven-figure grant to New York Presbyterian Fund and major gifts tied to transplantation research at Columbia University. Beyond research and medicine, it makes large contributions to philanthropic vehicles and civic causes, including The Goldman Sachs Charitable Gift Fund and Foundation to Combat Antiseminism. The recent record shows grants ranging from small education and arts awards to multi-million-dollar commitments, with several institutions appearing more than once across different years. Recipients include Harvard Business School, The Rockefeller University, and Brown University, indicating sustained interest in established organizations rather than one-off local giving alone.
Higher education is central to the Jonathan M Nelson Family Foundation’s giving. Brown University received $6,000,000 in 2023 and another $500,000 in 2024 for education and knowledge preservation, while Harvard Business School received $200,000 in both 2024 and 2025 for student needs. The foundation also backs fundamental scholarship: the Institute for Advanced Study received $3,550,000 in 2025 and $150,000 in 2024 for work described as original, often speculative thinking. Biomedical and hospital-related giving appears through Columbia University’s $1,020,000 grant in 2024 for transplantation research and a $1,000,000 grant to New York Presbyterian Fund for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes tied to the hospital system. It also supports civic and arts groups, including Trinity Repertory Company and Community Word Project.
Typical grants are mid-sized to large: the 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $22,500, and the 75th percentile is $137,500. The recent record shows both repeat recipients and large renewed commitments, including Brown University, Harvard Business School, The Rockefeller University, Institute for Advanced Study, and Community Word Project appearing across multiple years. The foundation makes grants from a family foundation structure and also funds individuals. Its pattern includes operating-style support, annual fund gifts, scholarship support, and project-specific awards, with several awards aimed at institutional needs rather than restricted programs.
$8.8M
$179.5M
$16.2M
$10.7M
Most grants fall between $10K and $138K, with a median of $23K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$23K
75th Percentile
$138K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated, high-value grants to a small number of prominent national institutions; a mix of repeat large gifts to familiar university partners and one-off major gifts to research, medical, and donor-advised entities.
Notable grantees: Brown University, Institute for Advanced Study, The Rockefeller University, Columbia University, New York Presbyterian Fund
Grantmaking is regional, with 38% of grants going to recipients in Rhode Island. Providence appears frequently, including Brown University, Save the Bay, and Trinity Repertory Company. Other Rhode Island recipients include East Providence and Newport. Outside the state, New York City-area organizations are prominent, with grants to Columbia University, New York Presbyterian Fund, The Rockefeller University, and Inner City Scholarship Fund in New York, NY, plus a grant to Bayside, NY. The record also includes Princeton, NJ; Cambridge, MA; and Washington, DC.
The recent grants point strongly toward universities, research institutes, and health-related institutions. Brown University, the Institute for Advanced Study, Columbia University, The Rockefeller University, and New York Presbyterian Fund all appear in the top grants list, alongside smaller awards to schools, arts groups, and civic organizations.
Yes. Brown University appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Harvard Business School received $200,000 in both 2024 and 2025. The Rockefeller University received $2,100,000 in 2025 and $625,000 in 2024, and the Institute for Advanced Study also received grants in both 2024 and 2025.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $22,500 at the median, and $137,500 at the 75th percentile. That spread sits alongside a small number of much larger awards, including several in the six- and seven-figure range.
Rhode Island receives 38% of the foundation’s grants. Providence, East Providence, and Newport all appear among recipient locations, while New York, NY is also a frequent destination for grants.
It funds individuals as well as organizations. The foundation’s profile indicates that it funds individuals, and the recent grants list shows a mix of institutional support, annual funds, scholarship-related awards, and other project or operating grants.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY | PRINCETON, NJ | $3,550,000 | 2025 | THE INSTITUTE EXISTS TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT FUNDAMENTAL SCHOLARSHIP THE ORIGINAL, OFTEN SPECULATIVE, THINKING THAT PRODUCES ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE THAT CHANGE THE WAY WE UNDERSTAND THE WORLD. |
| THE GOLDMAN SACHS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $2,300,000 | 2025 | TO FOSTER INNOVATIVE IDEAS, SOLVING ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ISSUES, AND ENABLING PROGRESS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES GLOBALLY. |
| THE ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $2,100,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT ANNUAL FUND |
| FOUNDATION TO COMBAT ANTISEMINISM | FOXBOROUGH, MA | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $200,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL - TO SUPPORT STUDENTS NEEDS |
| HARC FOUNDATION | MARINA DEL REY, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MALARIA NO MORE | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TRINITY REPERTORY COMPANY | PROVIDENCE, RI | $15,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE THE APPRECIATION OF THEATRE THROUGH THEATRICAL PRODUCTION THAT STIMULATE, EDUCATE AND ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY. |
| COMMUNITY WORD PROJECT | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT ARTS IN EDUCATION |
| BROWN UNIVERSITY | PROVIDENCE, RI | $10,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND PREPARE STUDENTS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY, NATION AND THE WORLD BY COMMUNICATING AND PRESERVING KNOWLEDGE |
| RHODE ISLAND ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | PROVIDENCE, RI | $2,500 | 2025 | SERVES THE COMMUNITY AS A RESOURCE FOR EDUCATION, CONSERVATION AND RECREATION. |
| ALTA COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT | ALTA, UT | $1,000 | 2025 | PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LANDS IN ALTA, UTAH. |
| WORLD WILDLIFE FUND INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE JAMESTOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT | JAMESTOWN, RI | $250 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES. |
| COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $1,020,000 | 2024 | TO RAISE AWARENESS AND FUNDING FOR TRANSPLATION RESEARCH ACROSS ALL ORGAN DISCIPLINES. |
| NEW YORK PRESBYTERIAN FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2024 | TO RECEIVE, SOLICIT, AND ADMINISTER FUNDS TO BE APPLIED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, AND SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES OF THE NY AND PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL AND ANY OTHER HEALTH CARE RELATED CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
| THE ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $625,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT ANNUAL FUND |
| BROWN UNIVERSITY | PROVIDENCE, RI | $500,000 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND PREPARE STUDENTS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY, NATION AND THE WORLD BY COMMUNICATING AND PRESERVING KNOWLEDGE |
| HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $200,000 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL - TO SUPPORT STUDENTS NEEDS |
| INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY | PRINCETON, NJ | $150,000 | 2024 | THE INSTITUTE EXISTS TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT FUNDAMENTAL SCHOLARSHIP THE ORIGINAL, OFTEN SPECULATIVE, THINKING THAT PRODUCES ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE THAT CHANGE THE WAY WE UNDERSTAND THE WORLD. |
| NORTHFIELD MOUNT HERMON SCHOOL | MOUNT HERMON, MA | $100,000 | 2024 | FUNDS HELP SUPPORT THIS COED BOARDING AND DAY SCHOOL. |
| THE MILKEN INSTITUTE | SANTA MONICA, CA | $62,500 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT ANNUAL FUND |
| PAN MASS CHALLENGE | WEST BROOKLINE, MA | $50,000 | 2024 | SUPPORTS CANCER RESEARCH |
| NARRAGANSETT COUNCIL BOYS SCOUTS OF AMERICA | EAST PROVIDENCE, RI | $50,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE THE ABILITY OF BOYS AND YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN TO DO THINGS FOR THEMSELVES AND OTHERS |
| SAVE THE BAY | PROVIDENCE, RI | $50,000 | 2024 | ENSURES THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OF NARRAGANSETT BAY IS RESTORED AND PROTECTED FROM THE HARMFUL EFFECTS HUMAN ACTIVITY. |
| THE GORDEN SCHOOL | EAST PROVIDENCE, RI | $25,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT STUDENTS NEEDS OF THIS COEDUCATIONAL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL |
| INNER CITY SCHOLARSHIP FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2024 | INNER CITY SCHOLARSHIP FUND TO CHANGE LIVES FOR THE BETTER BY PROVIDING FAMILIES WITH DEMONSTRABLE FINANCIAL NEED, BASED ON THE K-12 CATHOLIC EDUCATION WITHING THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NYC |
| IYRS | NEWPORT, RI | $15,000 | 2024 | TO TEACH THE SKILLS, HISTORY, ART AND SCIENCE OF RESTORING, MAINTAINING AND BUILDING BOATS. |
| ENDEAVOR GLOBAL | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | PROMOTES INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH JOB CREATION AND MANAGEMENT TRAINING. |
| TOURETE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA | BAYSIDE, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | TO MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR ALL PEOPLE AFFECTED BY TOURETTE AND TIC DISORDERS |
| COMMUNITY WORD PROJECT | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT ARTS IN EDUCATION |
| BOSTON ATHENAEUM | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT ANNUAL FUND |
| THE JAMESTOWN COMMUNITY FARM INC | JAMESTOWN, RI | $5,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE AGRICULTURE AND GROW FOOD FOR THOSE IN NEED. |
| TENNIS HALL OF FAME | NEWPORT, RI | $5,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT ANNUAL FUND |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY OF UTAH | ARLINGTON, VA | $5,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT ANNUAL FUND |
| SHAWN THORNTOR FOUNDATION | BOSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RHODE ISLAND ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | PROVIDENCE, RI | $2,500 | 2024 | SERVES THE COMMUNITY AS A RESOURCE FOR EDUCATION, CONSERVATION AND RECREATION. |
| THE JAMESTOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT | JAMESTOWN, RI | $250 | 2024 | FUNDING FOR FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES. |
| BROWN UNIVERSITY | PROVIDENCE, RI | $6,000,000 | 2023 | TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND PREPARE STUDENTS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY, NATION AND THE WORLD BY COMMUNICATING AND PRESERVING KNOWLEDGE |
| THE FUND FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2023 | THE FUND FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS DEDICATED TO IMPROVING NYC'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS BY ATTRACTING PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN SCHOOL REFORM AND ENCOURAGING GREATER INVOLVEMENT BY ALL NEW YORKERS IN THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN |
THE INSTITUTE EXISTS TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT FUNDAMENTAL SCHOLARSHIP THE ORIGINAL, OFTEN SPECULATIVE, THINKING THAT PRODUCES ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE THAT CHANGE THE WAY WE UNDERSTAND THE WORLD.
THE GOLDMAN SACHS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND
$2,300,000TO FOSTER INNOVATIVE IDEAS, SOLVING ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ISSUES, AND ENABLING PROGRESS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES GLOBALLY.
FOUNDATION TO COMBAT ANTISEMINISM
$500,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL
$200,000EDUCATIONAL - TO SUPPORT STUDENTS NEEDS
HARC FOUNDATION
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TO PROMOTE THE APPRECIATION OF THEATRE THROUGH THEATRICAL PRODUCTION THAT STIMULATE, EDUCATE AND ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY.
BROWN UNIVERSITY
$10,000TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND PREPARE STUDENTS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY, NATION AND THE WORLD BY COMMUNICATING AND PRESERVING KNOWLEDGE
SERVES THE COMMUNITY AS A RESOURCE FOR EDUCATION, CONSERVATION AND RECREATION.
ALTA COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT
$1,000PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LANDS IN ALTA, UTAH.
THE JAMESTOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT
$250FUNDING FOR FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES.
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
$1,020,000TO RAISE AWARENESS AND FUNDING FOR TRANSPLATION RESEARCH ACROSS ALL ORGAN DISCIPLINES.
TO RECEIVE, SOLICIT, AND ADMINISTER FUNDS TO BE APPLIED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, AND SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES OF THE NY AND PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL AND ANY OTHER HEALTH CARE RELATED CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BROWN UNIVERSITY
$500,000TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND PREPARE STUDENTS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY, NATION AND THE WORLD BY COMMUNICATING AND PRESERVING KNOWLEDGE
THE INSTITUTE EXISTS TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT FUNDAMENTAL SCHOLARSHIP THE ORIGINAL, OFTEN SPECULATIVE, THINKING THAT PRODUCES ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE THAT CHANGE THE WAY WE UNDERSTAND THE WORLD.
NORTHFIELD MOUNT HERMON SCHOOL
$100,000FUNDS HELP SUPPORT THIS COED BOARDING AND DAY SCHOOL.
NARRAGANSETT COUNCIL BOYS SCOUTS OF AMERICA
$50,000TO PROMOTE THE ABILITY OF BOYS AND YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN TO DO THINGS FOR THEMSELVES AND OTHERS
ENSURES THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OF NARRAGANSETT BAY IS RESTORED AND PROTECTED FROM THE HARMFUL EFFECTS HUMAN ACTIVITY.
THE GORDEN SCHOOL
$25,000TO SUPPORT STUDENTS NEEDS OF THIS COEDUCATIONAL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL
INNER CITY SCHOLARSHIP FUND TO CHANGE LIVES FOR THE BETTER BY PROVIDING FAMILIES WITH DEMONSTRABLE FINANCIAL NEED, BASED ON THE K-12 CATHOLIC EDUCATION WITHING THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NYC
IYRS
$15,000TO TEACH THE SKILLS, HISTORY, ART AND SCIENCE OF RESTORING, MAINTAINING AND BUILDING BOATS.
PROMOTES INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH JOB CREATION AND MANAGEMENT TRAINING.
TOURETE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
$10,000TO MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR ALL PEOPLE AFFECTED BY TOURETTE AND TIC DISORDERS
BOSTON ATHENAEUM
$10,000TO SUPPORT ANNUAL FUND
THE JAMESTOWN COMMUNITY FARM INC
$5,000TO PROMOTE AGRICULTURE AND GROW FOOD FOR THOSE IN NEED.
TENNIS HALL OF FAME
$5,000TO SUPPORT ANNUAL FUND
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY OF UTAH
$5,000TO SUPPORT ANNUAL FUND
SHAWN THORNTOR FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SERVES THE COMMUNITY AS A RESOURCE FOR EDUCATION, CONSERVATION AND RECREATION.
THE JAMESTOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT
$250FUNDING FOR FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES.
BROWN UNIVERSITY
$6,000,000TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND PREPARE STUDENTS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY, NATION AND THE WORLD BY COMMUNICATING AND PRESERVING KNOWLEDGE
THE FUND FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS DEDICATED TO IMPROVING NYC'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS BY ATTRACTING PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN SCHOOL REFORM AND ENCOURAGING GREATER INVOLVEMENT BY ALL NEW YORKERS IN THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN