Over $2 million in grants awarded to improve the community

The David L. and Rita E. Nelson Family Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region (Nelson Family Fund) awarded grants totaling $2,058,650, providing nonprofits and local municipalities with a much-needed financial boost. 

Heckrodt Wetland Reserve

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 also 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.  

“As our nonprofit partners need our support now more than ever, these grants will help local organizations continue to provide programs and services that improve quality of life and make a difference in the lives of all,” said Megan Schuessler, Vice President of Donor Services & Gift Planning. “We are privileged to carry forward David and Rita’s wishes to impact the region by supporting this year’s projects.” 

This year’s support included awards to the following projects:  

 Achieve Brown County

• Achieve Brown County, $150,000 Reading for the Future Initiative
• Ampact, $20,000 for Wisconsin Reading Corps — Evidence Based Tutoring 
• Apricity, $250,000 for their capital campaign 
• Baird Creek Preservation Foundation, Inc., $50,000 for the JJ/Eaton Road Wetland Habitat Restoration phase 2 
• Bellin College, $156,000 to launch the Healthcare Academy Scholarship Program 
• Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley, $200,000 to Boys & Girls Club of the Fox Valley for their new Neenah location 
• City of De Pere, $100,000 for the Wilson Park redevelopment 
• City of Neenah, $50,000 to support Kimberly Point Lighthouse preservation and ADA improvement project 
  

  Hands on Deck

• Chippewa Valley Museum, $13,650 for the History Heroes Children’s Exhibit 
• Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, $50,000 to support the Viewpoint Speaker Series 
• Friends of the Appleton Fire Department, Inc., $15,000 to Revive Old Engine 5 
• Hands On Deck, $15,000 for capital equipment 
• Heckrodt Wetland Reserve, $49,000 to support the Trail Extension & Tale Trail project 

• Sister Bay Historical Society, $50,000 for the Sister Bay Waterfront Museum 
• Sturgeon Bay Historical Society Foundation, $150,000 to support the Door County Granary — Get to the Top Campaign Phase III 
• The Einstein Project, Inc., $50,000 to support science instructional professional learning 
• Veterans 1st of NEW, Inc., $500,000 to support Cottage Court Community Center 

An additional 18 nonprofit organizations received a total of $190,000. Since the fund was created eight years ago, it has provided over $29 million in grants. 

Door County Granary

The David L. and Rita E. Nelson Family Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region 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.