The Nelson Family Foundation gives relatively concentrated, mid-sized gifts that split between supporting Stanford-linked higher education and public policy institutions and funding Western U.S. conservation and cultural causes. Their giving pattern shows repeated, multi-year support to a small number of favored organizations rather than many one-off grants. The mix suggests personal or geographic interests tying elite academic/policy work (Hoover/Stanford) to stewardship of Western landscapes and wildlife heritage in Wyoming and the Mountain West.
Concentrated portfolio with a small number of mid-to-large grants; repeated multi-grant relationships with core grantees rather than broad, one-off funding across many organizations.
A repeated pattern of general support to Stanford University Bosp and the Hoover Institution defines the Nelson Family Foundation’s giving, alongside parallel support for Western conservation and Charleston-based cultural and community organizations. The foundation’s recent grants show a small set of recurring recipients rather than broad, one-time giving, with several organizations appearing in multiple years. Stanford-linked institutions received the largest individual awards in the recent record, including $30,000 to Stanford University Bosp in 2024 and $26,500 in 2025, while Hoover Institution received $25,000 in both 2023 and 2025. That academic and policy emphasis sits beside grants to organizations tied to land, wildlife, and regional heritage in the Mountain West, such as Western Watershed Project, National Museum of Wildlife Art, and Wyoming Wildlife Advocates. The Charleston cluster adds another clear thread, with support for Historic Charleston, Charleston Library Foundation, Charleston Jazz, Star Gospel Mission, and One80 Place. The result is a foundation that gives in a fairly focused way across a few recurring interests rather than a wide spread of unrelated causes.
In higher education and research, the foundation gave $30,000 to Stanford University Bosp in 2024 and $26,500 in 2025, plus $25,000 to Hoover Institution in both 2023 and 2025. Those gifts point to a sustained connection with Stanford-affiliated academic and policy work. In environmental grantmaking, they supported Western Watershed Project with $20,000 in 2023, $20,000 in 2024, and $15,000 in 2025, and also gave $5,000 to Grand Teton National Park Foundation in 2023. Cultural support is also visible: National Museum of Wildlife Art received $20,000 in 2024, while Art Association of Jackson Hole received $5,000 in 2023, $5,000 in 2024, and $5,000 in 2025. In Charleston, the foundation backed community institutions including Historic Charleston, Charleston Library Foundation, Charleston Jazz, Star Gospel Mission, and One80 Place.
Typical grant size is mid-range, with a p25 of $1,500, a median of $5,000, and a p75 of $10,000. The recent record shows repeated support to the same organizations across multiple years, especially Stanford University Bosp, Hoover Institution, Western Watershed Project, Charleston Library Foundation, Charleston Jazz, and Art Association of Jackson Hole. Grants are listed as general support, and the foundation is identified as not funding individuals and not making program-related investments. The pattern is concentrated rather than broad, with most awards clustering at $5,000 to $10,000 and a few larger gifts at $20,000 and above.
$368K
$2M
$364K
$174K
Most grants fall between $2K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
About 30% of grants go to recipients in SC.
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Nelson Family Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 47 | $363K | 97.9% |
| 2 | United Kingdom | 1 | $5K |
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Notable grantees: Stanford University (BOSP), Hoover Institution, Western Watershed Project, National Museum of Wildlife Art
Grants are concentrated in the United States, with 47 of 48 recent grants there, and the top state by grant count is South Carolina. Charleston is a recurring recipient city, joined by North Charleston, Jackson, Hailey, Stanford, and Wilson. The foundation also gives in Wyoming, including Jackson Hole and Moose, and in Idaho through Hailey. Outside the U.S., one recent grant went to London.
Recent grants support Stanford-affiliated higher education and public policy work, Western conservation groups, and cultural or community organizations. Examples in the record include Stanford University Bosp, Hoover Institution, Western Watershed Project, National Museum of Wildlife Art, and Charleston-based institutions such as Charleston Library Foundation and Star Gospel Mission.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including Stanford University Bosp in 2024 and 2025, Hoover Institution in 2023 and 2025, Western Watershed Project in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Charleston Library Foundation and Charleston Jazz across multiple years.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is centered on modest awards: p25 is $1,500, median is $5,000, and p75 is $10,000. Many recent grants fall at $5,000 or $7,500, with some larger awards at $20,000 to $30,000.
South Carolina is the top state by grant count. Recent grants include multiple Charleston and North Charleston recipients, such as Historic Charleston, Charleston Library Foundation, Charleston Jazz, Star Gospel Mission, and One80 Place.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. The recent grants are listed as general support.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY BOSP | STANFORD, CA | $26,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOOVER INSTITUTION | STANFORD, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WESTERN WATERSHED PROJECT | HAILEY, ID | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HISTORIC CHARLESTON | CHARLESTON, SC | $11,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WYOMING WILDLIFE ADVOCATES | WILSON, WY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHARLESTON LIBRARY FOUNDATION | CHARLESTON, SC | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JACKSON HOLE BOOK FESTIVAL | JACKSON, WY | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHARLESTON JAZZ | NORTH CHARLESTON, SC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ART ASSOCIATION OF JACKSON HOLE | JACKSON, WY | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ONE80 PLACE | CHARLESTON, SC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEUE GALLERIE NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GOOD FRIENDS OF THE LOW COUNTRY | CHARLESTON, SC | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY BOSP | STANFORD, CA | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART | JACKSON, WY | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WESTERN WATERSHED PROJECT | HAILEY, ID | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STAR GOSPEL MISSION | CHARLESTON, SC | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHARLESTON LIBRARY FOUNDATION | CHARLESTON, SC | $7,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EPILEPSY FOUNDATION | BOWIE, MD | $6,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WYOMING WILDLIFE ADVOCATES | WILSON, WY | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHARLESTON JAZZ | NORTH CHARLESTON, SC | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ART ASSOCIATION OF JACKSON HOLE | JACKSON, WY | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ONE80 PLACE | CHARLESTON, SC | $3,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FIRST SCOTS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FOUNDATION | CHARLESTON, SC | $1,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GOOD FRIENDS OF THE LOW COUNTRY | CHARLESTON, SC | $1,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HISTORIC CHARLESTON | CHARLESTON, SC | $1,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HIGH DESERT PET ADOPTIONS | THOUSAND PALMS, CA | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SURFRIDER FOUNDATION | SAN CLEMENTE, CA | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BRIDGER BOWL FOUNDATION | BOZEMAN, MT | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EAGLE MOUNT FOUNDATION | BOZEMAN, MT | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOOVER INSTITUTION | STANFORD, CA | $25,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WESTERN WATERSHED PROJECT | HAILEY, ID | $20,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF JACKSON HOLE | JACKSON, WY | $10,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KHOL PUBLIC MEDIA JACKSON HOLE | JACKSON, WY | $10,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STAR GOSPEL MISSION | CHARLESTON, SC | $7,500 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHARLESTON JAZZ | NORTH CHARLESTON, SC | $7,500 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ONE80 PLACE | CHARLESTON, SC | $7,500 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHARLESTON LIBRARY FOUNDATION | CHARLESTON, SC | $7,500 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ART ASSOCIATION OF JACKSON HOLE | JACKSON, WY | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GLOBAL WARMING POLICY FOUNDATION | LONDON | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART | JACKSON, WY | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WYOMING UNTRAPPED | JACKSON, WY | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION | MOOSE, WY | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JACKSON HOLE HISTORY MUSEUM | JACKSON, WY | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EAGLE MOUNT FOUNDATION | BOZEMAN, MT | $1,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LOVE LEO'S ADOPTION CENTER | SANTA MONICA, CA | $1,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BRIDGER BOWL FOUNDATION | BOZEMAN, MT | $1,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| I LOVE A CLEAN SAN DIEGO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $1,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TETON RAPTOR CENTER | WILSON, WY | $1,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
STANFORD UNIVERSITY BOSP
$26,500GENERAL SUPPORT
HOOVER INSTITUTION
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WESTERN WATERSHED PROJECT
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HISTORIC CHARLESTON
$11,500GENERAL SUPPORT
WYOMING WILDLIFE ADVOCATES
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHARLESTON LIBRARY FOUNDATION
$7,500GENERAL SUPPORT
JACKSON HOLE BOOK FESTIVAL
GENERAL SUPPORT
CHARLESTON JAZZ
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ART ASSOCIATION OF JACKSON HOLE
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ONE80 PLACE
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NEUE GALLERIE NEW YORK
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GOOD FRIENDS OF THE LOW COUNTRY
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
STANFORD UNIVERSITY BOSP
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WESTERN WATERSHED PROJECT
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
STAR GOSPEL MISSION
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHARLESTON LIBRARY FOUNDATION
$7,500GENERAL SUPPORT
EPILEPSY FOUNDATION
$6,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WYOMING WILDLIFE ADVOCATES
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHARLESTON JAZZ
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ART ASSOCIATION OF JACKSON HOLE
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ONE80 PLACE
$3,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FIRST SCOTS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FOUNDATION
$1,500GENERAL SUPPORT
GOOD FRIENDS OF THE LOW COUNTRY
$1,500GENERAL SUPPORT
HISTORIC CHARLESTON
$1,500GENERAL SUPPORT
HIGH DESERT PET ADOPTIONS
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SURFRIDER FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BRIDGER BOWL FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
EAGLE MOUNT FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HOOVER INSTITUTION
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WESTERN WATERSHED PROJECT
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF JACKSON HOLE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
KHOL PUBLIC MEDIA JACKSON HOLE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
STAR GOSPEL MISSION
$7,500GENERAL SUPPORT
CHARLESTON JAZZ
$7,500GENERAL SUPPORT
ONE80 PLACE
$7,500GENERAL SUPPORT
CHARLESTON LIBRARY FOUNDATION
$7,500GENERAL SUPPORT
ART ASSOCIATION OF JACKSON HOLE
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GLOBAL WARMING POLICY FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WYOMING UNTRAPPED
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JACKSON HOLE HISTORY MUSEUM
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
EAGLE MOUNT FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LOVE LEO'S ADOPTION CENTER
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BRIDGER BOWL FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
I LOVE A CLEAN SAN DIEGO
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TETON RAPTOR CENTER
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT