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The Robert Nelson Foundation’s response to COVID-19
The board of directors of The Robert Nelson Foundation is committed to honoring the legacy of Mr. Nelson by supporting specific organizations that are on the front lines in the current battle against the pandemic we are all facing: Research and Development towards a vaccine and testing (Mayo Clinic), Personal Protective Equipment for healthcare professionals (UCLA Health) and assisting with the homeless population during this very challenging time (LA Mission and Union Rescue Mission). Please see the individual announcements below to learn about how each organization is responding to this situation.
Robert (Bob) Nelson was born and raised in Grand Rapids, MI. As part of the first series of grants that the foundation has provided, there has been a specific focus of doing some special things in Mr. Nelson’s honor in his hometown. The second round of grants has been focused on special causes in the Los Angeles area that honor and emulate Bob’s character. The Robert Nelson Foundation is committed to honoring Mr. Nelson by funding projects that emulate the outstanding characteristics that he demonstrated throughout his life. The foundation looks forward to continued growth and development in its giving and looks forward to sharing these results as time moves forward.
The Robert Nelson Foundation is not currently accepting open grant applications. The foundation is currently working to establish initial projects that will honor Mr. Nelson. As the foundation grows and develops, the board will continually explore and examine giving options to best fit the vision of Mr. Nelson and the foundation.
Announcing the The Robert Nelson Foundation Scholarship
The Robert Nelson Foundation proudly announces the creation of The Robert Nelson Foundation Scholarship. Mr. Nelson had a desire to help young people with their education and the foundation is proud to announce a scholarship program through Grand Valley State...
The Robert Nelson Disability Support Center
Robert Nelson was a man of kindness and compassion and had a special place in his heart for the disabled population. In honor of his desire to help the disabled population, the Robert Nelson Foundation has granted $75,000.00 to the City of Grandville, MI to create a...
Happy Trails for Kids
The Robert Nelson Foundation is proud to support the Happy Trails for Kids organization. The Happy Trails for Kids mission is to exclusively serve children in foster care, ages 7 and older, by creating opportunities for hundreds of boys and girls growing up in foster...
The Guiding Light Mission
The Guiding Light Mission was founded in 1929 to help the homeless and less fortunate in Grand Rapids, MI. The Covid-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to Guiding Light to continue in their efforts to provide services in a safe manner. The Robert Nelson...
Minority AIDS Project
The Robert Nelson Foundation is proud to have partnered with the Minority Aids Project of Los Angeles with a gift of $15,000 to be used for the extraordinary needs associated with the Covid-19 Pandemic. The Minority AIDS Project (MAP) is a nonprofit organization,...
UCLA Health
The Robert Nelson Foundation has given a total of $40,000 to UCLA Health to assist with the purchase of Personal Protective Equipment and support for the staff during the COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic has presented unique challenges that our health care workers...
Mayo Clinic
The Robert Nelson Foundation has given a $10,000 gift to the Mayo Clinic to assist in the fight against the COVID-19 virus. The Mayo Clinic is synonymous with excellence. This gift supports the foundation’s desire to promote excellence, caring, and proactive...
Los Angeles Mission
The Robert Nelson Foundation has chosen to continue Mr. Nelson’s giving to the homeless and those in need in the Los Angeles area. The foundation has given $25,000 in 2020 to the Los Angeles Mission in Mr. Nelson’s name. This gift is reflective of Mr. Nelson’s caring...
Union Rescue Mission
Robert Nelson was a kind and caring man. This was evidenced by his giving to the Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles. The mission’s focus is to provide care, shelter, and guidance to the homeless in Los Angeles. The foundation wanted to continue the legacy of giving...
Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Child Life Program
Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital is one of the leading children’s hospitals in the country. One of the programming components of the hospital is to assist each patient during their stay by easing some of the psychological and social adjustments of a long hospital stay....
Artists Creating Together (A.C.T)
Artists Creating Together is an organization in Grand Rapids, MI that focuses on integrating the arts as a means to help people face the challenges of living with a disability. Using a multifaceted approach that combines art, music, dance, and theatre, the...
Best Buddies
Best Buddies is an organization that was started by the Kennedy family over 30 years ago. The goal and purpose of Best Buddies is to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to develop one on one friendships, participate in integrated...