Nelson & Vera Hicks Charitable Fdn
Accepts applications
Nelson & Vera Hicks Charitable Fdn is a private foundation in Madison, Wisconsin. In tax year 2025 it gave $259,000 in 42 grants; the typical grant was $5,000 and the largest $26,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$259,000
- Number of grants42
- Typical grant$5,000
- Largest grant$26,000
- Assets$7.5 million
- New grantees0%
Giving in 2025 was down from $261,000 the year before.
0% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, so most of its money goes to organizations it already funds.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $240,000 | 47 | $5.7 million |
| 2024 | $261,000 | 47 | $6.4 million |
| 2025 | $259,000 | 42 | $7.5 million |
How to apply
| Contact | John Karsten 4 Fond du Lac Street, Waupun, WI 53963 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (920) 324-8658 |
| What to submit | Informal |
| Restrictions | Churches,charitable,scientific & educational organizations preferably located in beaver dam, Wisconsin |
What Nelson & Vera Hicks Charitable Fdn funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 2 states, the most to Wisconsin.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 41 | $257,000 |
| Illinois | 1 | $2,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| YMCA of Dodge County | General funding | $26,000 |
| St Ambrose Academy | General funding | $20,000 |
| Church Health Services | Administrative support campaign | $15,000 |
| Beaver Dam Scholarship Foundation | Scholarship programs | $12,500 |
| Green Valley Enterprises & Alzheimer Unit | General funding - alzheimers unit | $12,000 |
| Madison Area Technical College | Scholarship programs | $12,000 |
| Moraine Park Technical College | General funding | $12,000 |
| Charish Classical Academy | General funding | $10,000 |
| Rawhide Boys Ranch | General funding | $10,000 |
| St Vincent Depaul Beaver Dam | Mortgage reduction | $10,000 |
| World Orphan Fund | General funding | $10,000 |
| Central Wisconsin Christian School | General funding | $5,000 |
| Dodge County Center for the Arts | General funding | $5,000 |
| Fox Lake Public Library | General funding | $5,000 |
| Gathering Source | General funding | $5,000 |
| Hustiford Public Library | General funding | $5,000 |
| Hutchinson Memorial Library | General funding | $5,000 |
| Iron Ridge Public Library | General funding | $5,000 |
| Juneau Public Library | General funding | $5,000 |
| Lomira Public Library | General funding | $5,000 |
| New Beginnings Care Center | General funding | $5,000 |
| Pave | 135general funding | $5,000 |
| Pediatrics Oncology Research Fund | General funding | $5,000 |
| Salvation Army of Dane County | General funding | $5,000 |
| St Katharine Drexel Parish School Libraries | General funding | $5,000 |
| St Stephens Luthern School Library | General funding | $5,000 |
| Theresa Public Library | General funding | $5,000 |
| University of Wisconsin Foundation Cancer Center | Research funding | $5,000 |
| Beaver Dam High School | General funding | $3,000 |
| Dodge County Community Concert Association | General funding | $3,000 |
| Pregnancy Support Center of Dodge County | General funding | $3,000 |
| Arts for All Wisconsin | General funding | $2,000 |
| Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Dodge County & Watertown Community | General funding | $2,000 |
| Bridges of Dodge County | General funding (hospice care) | $2,000 |
| Dodge County Toy Bank | General funding | $2,000 |
| Mary's Room - Clothes 4 Kids | General funding | $2,000 |
| Opportunity International | General funding | $2,000 |
| Boy Scout Troops 736 724 | General funding | $1,000 |
| Dodge County Historical Foundation | General funding | $1,000 |
| Pal - Partners Are Learning | General funding | $500 |
Officers and trustees
- John Karsten
- Robert H Keller
- Wilfred E Kinney
Questions people ask
Does Nelson & Vera Hicks Charitable Fdn accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications.
How much does Nelson & Vera Hicks Charitable Fdn give?
$259,000 in tax year 2025, across 42 grants, with a typical grant of $5,000.
Who runs Nelson & Vera Hicks Charitable Fdn?
Its 2025 filing lists John Karsten (President), Robert H Keller (Vice President) and Wilfred E Kinney (Secretary/Treasurer).
What does Nelson & Vera Hicks Charitable Fdn fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, health and faith communities.