There are numerous endowed positions and scholarships in Nelson's name including the Arthur C. Nelson Fellowship supporting women, people of color and indigenous descent, veterans, disabled persons, and members of the LGBTQ community studying planning awarded by the American Planning Association, the Arthur C. Nelson and Clark Ivory Doctoral Fellowship in metropolitan planning, policy and design students at the University of Utah, and the Arthur C. Nelson Fellowship in Urban Planning and Real Estate Development at the University of Arizona.