The largest gift in the history of the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region was also one of the biggest in the country last year.
The estate of David and Rita Nelson donated about $103 million. The Chronicle of Philanthropy puts together an annual list, and it’s ranked 16th.
Community Foundation CEO Curt Detjen says he’s been following the Chronicle’s list for years. He can’t remember any donations from northeast Wisconsin, or even the state, on the list.
The Nelsons lived in De Pere. David was born and raised in Kaukauna, and Rita was from Janesville.
