J.A. Wedum Foundation
Changing And Improving People’s Lives
Philanthropic Mission
The mission of the J. A. Wedum Foundation is to develop and utilize the resources of the Foundation to positively change and improve people’s lives in the spirit of stewardship and generosity as exemplified by John A. Wedum, the grandfather, and carried forward by John A. Wedum, the grandson. The philanthropic impact of the Foundation has reached far and wide, bettering the lives of people of all ages while fostering a variety of vibrant and connected communities. This charitable mission falls into three areas:
Senior Housing
Creating and providing a new standard in high-quality housing for seniors is the central philanthropic focus of the Foundation. At each senior community, we strive for excellence in living with a serene, elegant setting and engaging caring staff.
Education
Supporting youth education has always been and continues to be a high priority for the Foundation. Since our inception, we have funded scholarships for thousands of students at a variety of higher educational institutions, high schools, organizations, and foundations.
Community Building
The Foundation nurtures community organizations, foundations, and projects through generous grants and contributions, funding capital needs and providing matching dollars to support a wide variety of benevolent efforts. Notable projects include: the Allina Foundation J. A. Wedum Hospice House, Alexandria College J.A. Wedum Foundation Hall, and Cascade Lake Park in Rochester, MN.
History of the Foundation
The J. A. Wedum Foundation was incorporated in 1959.
The Founder
The Foundation’s namesake, J. A. Wedum, emigrated from Lillehammer, Norway in the late 1880’s. Settling in west central Minnesota, he was a successful businessman who owned and operated several hardware and lumber businesses, as well as a philanthropist in his community. Through these enterprises, J. A. Wedum worked closely with rural farmers in the community, helping them achieve their farming goals by providing them handshake loans while mentoring them in bookkeeping and financial management. These appreciative farmers diligently made payments on their loans, continuing long after J. A. Wedum’s death. These payments formed the initial assets of the Foundation.
The Next Generation
John Wedum, the grandson of J. A. Wedum, inspired by his grandfather’s exemplar life, followed in his footsteps and became a very successful businessman as well as a longtime supporter of charitable causes. He and his wife Mary Beth, were the visionaries and initial leaders that guided the Foundation into what it is today. The mission and vision will continue to guide current and future board decisions.
