Nibley became involved in many business ventures during his life, most of which proved to be very successful. However, the heart of his wealth was centered in the lumber industry. Nibley had established himself as a successful lumber man during the 1870s and 1880s in northern Utah and southern Idaho. But his real rise to wealth came when he and industrialist David Eccles combined their talents and organized the Oregon Lumber Company in 1889. This company became one of the largest lumber companies in the Pacific Northwest and made both men multimillionaires. Nibley's other major business interests included railroads, banking, insurance, and the sugar beet industry.

Nibley was called to be the Presiding Bishop of the Mormon Church in 1907. He held that position for the next eighteen years. During his time the Mormon Church did away with tithing scrip, and he placed the church on a strict cash payment basis. He also was influential in getting the church to build Hotel Utah. In 1925 he was called to be the Second Counselor to Heber J. Grant in the First Presidency of the LDS Church.

Nibley was a well-known philanthropist. Much of his philanthropy was accomplished quietly; however, one of his public contributions was the donation of Wandamere Park, now Nibley Park Golf Course, to Salt Lake City as a Christmas present in 1921.

Charles Nibley died in Salt Lake City on 11 December 1931 at the age of eighty-two.

Michael Christensen