Grace S. and W. Linton Nelson Foundation

VISION AND MISSION Vision Young people in the Greater Philadelphia Region experience their futures in healthy, thriving, and prosperous communities where systems of racism, inequity, and injustice have been eradicated. Mission The Nelson Foundation acts to eliminate systemic racial and social inequities by investing for impact with partner organizations in the Greater Philadelphia region that are committed to serving young people, their families and the communities in which they live. OUR HISTORY The Grace S. and W. Linton Nelson Foundation is a private independent foundation that was established through the generosity of the late Grace and Bill Nelson. Incorporated in 1984, the Foundation began active grantmaking in 1988 following the death of Mrs. Nelson. Since that time, the Foundation has made grants totaling more than $30 million. In 2022, the Foundation committed to a new mission that centers racial equity and social justice in its work supporting children and youth. The Nelsons were married for 50 years and were active residents in the Philadelphia area, providing personal and financial support to a variety of community, charitable and religious endeavors. Mrs. Nelson attended the School of Social Service and worked for the Social Service Department of the University Hospital. Admiral Nelson was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Evening School and was the founder of the Philadelphia-based investment advisory firm, Delaware Investments. He also had served in the Navy in World War I and World War II, after which he continued his military service in the Naval Reserve, rising to the rank of Rear Admiral.