Photo above: Fox Valley Literacy

The David L. and Rita E. Nelson Family Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region (Nelson Family Fund) awarded 22 grants totaling over $2,500,000, giving nonprofits and local municipalities a much-needed financial boost. 

David and Rita Nelson

The Nelsons, who lived in De Pere, made provisions during their lifetimes for a planned gift to benefit the region. Rita was a teacher, and David was the Chief Financial Officer for the Post-Crescent in Appleton and the Green Bay Press-Gazette. He invested in radio stations and other businesses. After they passed, the Nelsons left more than $100 million from their estate to create the David L. and Rita E. Nelson Family Fund. The gift was by far the largest ever received by the Community Foundation and one of the largest charitable gifts in the state of Wisconsin’s history.  

“It’s a privilege and responsibility to carry forward David and Rita’s wish to impact the region by supporting this year’s projects and experiences. Over the last seven years, the fund’s become a valued partner to the nonprofit agencies seeking to enhance the region’s quality of life,” said Ann Engelhard, Donor Services Manager – The David L. and Rita E. Nelson Family Fund at the Community Foundation. “As we have seen with past grants, we are confident these organizations, projects, and programs will be transformational to the region.” 

This year’s support was awarded to the following projects:  

• Friends of High Cliff State Park, $500,000 for remediation and restoration of the Lime Kiln Trail.  
• Friends of the Fox River Trail, $250,000 to support trail expansion and pavement upgrades.  
• City of Kaukauna, $250,000 for the Grignon Mansion Community Park Project. 
• City of Kaukauna, $240,000 to replace boardwalk and make other trail updates at 1000 Islands Environmental Center.  
• City of Menasha, $200,000 to enhance Jefferson Park, designated for the Boat Launch.  
• Thompson Center on Lourdes, $200,000 for their Celebrate Life Capital Campaign, which will secure and refurbish a long-term facility. 
• Community Early Learning Center, $100,000 for technology and furnishing upgrades to conference rooms used for professional development training, presentations, and virtual meetings. 
• First Five Fox Valley, $100,000 for their Fox Valley Family Resource Center. 
• Fox Valley Literacy Council, $100,000 for a research initiative gauging literacy needs in the area. 
• Appleton Historical Society, $100,000 to support the purchase and renovation of a historic building, providing space for public displays, exhibitions, community programs, and archives. 
• Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve, $100,000 to support sustainable trail restoration and infrastructure. 
• Divine Savior Holy Angel High School, $75,000 for the Rita E. Nelson Family Scholarship Fund. 

Hazelwood Historic House

• Brown County Historical Society, $51,000 to support restoration projects at the Hazelwood Historic House. 
• United Way of the Fox Cities, $50,000 to support the launch of the Fox Valley Data Exchange. 
• Mosaic Family Health, $50,000 to support the foundational work of building a Health Equity Hub. 
• Appleton Community Music, $50,000 to support the Mile of Music Festival. 
• Us 2 Behavioral Health, $50,000 to support the purchase and renovation of an office building in Appleton, allowing the organization to expand its services. 
• Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation, $20,000 grant to increase the endowment for their David L. Nelson Scholarship Fund, supporting students pursuing a career in media. 
  

  Girl Scouts on Low Ropes Course

• Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes, $20,000 for a land survey at the East Service Center in Appleton, allowing the organization to strategically plan their outdoor spaces, and for the purchase of outdoor education supplies. 
• Patriot Racing Project, $20,000 for the restoration of the sailboat Stjanra, which will increase the organization’s capacity to engage veterans to participate in weekly sailing races throughout the Bay of Green Bay.  
• SCORE Fox Cities, $10,000 to support BIZ Talk, a radio show dedicated to educating people about small businesses and nonprofits in the Fox Cities area.  
• Green Bay Firefighters Historic Preservation Foundation, $3,600 for the purchase of two historic Green Bay firefighter helmets.   

Since the Nelson Family Fund was created seven years ago, it has provided over $27 million in grants. 

The David L. and Rita E. Nelson Family Fund within the Community Foundation is a permanent, donor-advised endowment that generates millions of dollars in grants annually to charitable organizations reflecting the philanthropic interests of the late David and Rita Nelson and their family, primarily in the Fox Cities, Green Bay, and Door County areas. These interests include parks, recreation and waterways; education; health care; community services and community centers; historic preservation and history — including lighthouses, museums and historical societies; and community catalyst opportunities.