George W Neilson Foundation
Historical FunderBemidji, Minnesota · EIN 41-6022186 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2025)$1.6M
Organizations funded34
Typical grant$25,000
Total assets$38.4M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $10,000 and $40,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2025):
| Contact | SUZANNE LIAPIS |
|---|---|
| Address | PO BOX 692, BEMIDJI MN 56619 |
| Phone | 2184444963 |
| Form and materials | GENERAL OUTLINE OF PROPOSAL |
| Deadlines | NONE |
| Restrictions | QUALIFIED CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
2% of grants went outside Minnesota.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanford Foundation | Bemidji, MN | Mobile mammo lab | $400,000 |
| Neilson Fieldhouse | Bemidji, MN | Building renovation | $250,000 |
| Greater Bemidjimi2 | Bemidji, MN | Workforce development | $125,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of the Bemidji Area | Bemidji, MN | Programming 2025 | $100,000 |
| Headwaters Science Center | Bemidji, MN | 3 year organizational support | $62,000 |
| Bsuntcgreater Bemidjimi2 | Bemidji, MN | Market study | $50,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of the Bemidji Area | Bemidji, MN | Capital project/storage, office | $50,000 |
| No Mn Robotics Conference | Bemidji, MN | Facility construction | $50,000 |
| Bemidji State University Foundation | Bemidji, MN | Fund scholarships | $40,000 |
| Headwaters Shooting Sports Foundation | Bemidji, MN | Equipment & infrastructure | $39,400 |
| Neilson Spearhead Center | Bemidji, MN | Year 2 of 5 pledge | $38,950 |
| Bemidji State University Foundation | Bemidji, MN | Fund internships | $37,500 |
| Bemidji State University Foundation | Bemidji, MN | Full tuition scholarship | $36,818 |
| 218 Sports Inc | Bemidji, MN | Sports marketing | $30,000 |
| Bemidji High School Pool | Bemidji, MN | Timing system | $30,000 |
| Northwest Technical College Foundation | Bemidji, MN | Fund scholarships | $30,000 |
| Neilson Spearhead Center | Bemidji, MN | Storm recovery | $26,000 |
| Oak Hills College | Bemidji, MN | Facilities truck purchase | $25,000 |
| Bemidji Symphony Orchestra | Bemidji, MN | 2025-2026 concert programming | $23,000 |
| Oak Hills College | Bemidji, MN | Fund scholarships | $20,000 |
| Beltrami County Historical Society | Bemidji, MN | Programming, collections | $15,000 |
| Bemidji Downtown Alliance | Bemidji, MN | Led rooftop lighting | $15,000 |
| Bemidji High School All School Reunion | Bemidji, MN | 2025 organizational support | $15,000 |
| Bemidji Area Cross Country Ski Club | Bemidji, MN | Storage facility | $12,000 |
| Loon Country Arts Collective | Bemidji, MN | Facility upgrade | $10,000 |
| Northern Lights Council | Fargo, ND | Scouting america exploring | $10,000 |
| Beltrami County Agricultural Association | Bemidji, MN | Grandstand handrail project | $9,544 |
| First National Bank Foundation | Bemidji, MN | 2024-2025 donation | $8,000 |
| Lakes Area Dive Team | Walker, MN | Towfish sonar | $7,500 |
| Bemidji Vex Robotics | Bemidji, MN | Bms booster club support | $6,000 |
| New Musical Theater Exc | Bemidji, MN | Water from snow musical | $3,000 |
| Headwaters Music & Art | Bemidji, MN | W african drip workshop | $2,000 |
| Miss Northern Lakes | Cottage Grove, MN | Scholarships | $2,000 |
| Bemidji High School Class of 2025 | Bemidji, MN | Graduation party | $1,000 |
Grants approved for future payment
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Bemidji | Bemidji, MN | Wellness project/ymca 10 yr pledge | $4,000,000 |
| Cass Lake Volunteer Fire Dept | Cass Lake, MN | Building pledge | $300,000 |
| Greater Bemidjimi2 | Bemidji, MN | Workforce development | $125,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of the Bemidji Area | Bemidji, MN | Programming/Safety 2026 | $120,000 |
| Neilson Spearhead Center | Bemidji, MN | 5 yr pledge | $116,850 |
| Headwaters Science Center | Bemidji, MN | 3 yr organizational support | $88,000 |
| Bemidji State University Foundation | Bemidji, MN | Fund internships | $75,000 |
| Red Lake Memorial Fund | Bemidji, MN | Memorial monument | $20,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,579,712 | 42 |
| 2024 | $1,398,763 | 38 |
| 2023 | $1,481,722 | 45 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed May 4, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202621249349101242
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 41-6022186
- Profile updated Nov 5, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.