Undertaking Initiatives for the Common Good
As a family foundation, we are guided first and foremost by the principle of “giving back” which was instilled in us by our parents, Dale and Nancy Olseth. Their steadfast commitment to philanthropy was a cornerstone of our family ethos. We are proud to represent our parents by carrying on the legacy of generosity within local communities. We do this by supporting organizations within four sectors: Arts, Education, Environment, and the Underserved. These are our ‘pillars’ and within each there are many deserving and vital organizations that serve ever-growing needs. To maximize the impact of our philanthropy, we have refined our focus on five specific initiatives that we believe will make meaningful strides toward solving complex societal issues. We thank our partner organizations for their “boots on the ground” efforts, which helps move us forward on these important initiatives.
Cheryl Olseth, Jon Olseth and Karen Solomon,
Directors, Olseth Family Foundation
Current Initiatives
Plant & Animal Species Conservation
Safeguard ecosystems through species diversity
Carbon Reduction & Clean Energy
Support climate change education & carbon reduction solutions
Dignity, Respect & Equality
Foster fairness and inclusion for a healthier society
Food & Housing Security
Meet fundamental needs for individuals and families
Arts, Culture & Education
Enrich lives through experiential learning
Featured Initiative | Carbon Reduction and Clean Energy
Maintaining plant and animal species diversity contributes in many ways to the health and well-being of humans. Species diversity ensures clean air, soil, and water, regulates the climate, safeguards a robust food supply, provides sources for myriads of medications, supplies fiber and building materials, and influences recreational and spiritual values.
Over the past four decades, human activities such as development, agricultural expansion, deforestation, and poaching have become the primary causes of flora and fauna extinction and biodiversity loss. Other factors such as the effects of climate change, global consumerism, and population growth also threaten many species’ long-term sustainability.
Through our many partnerships, the Olseth Family Foundation aspires to slow or reverse the loss of native species, with the goal of restoring stability and balance in North American ecosystems.
Improving Human Rights Globally | Advocating for
Women’s Rights and Abolition of the Death Penalty
2024 United Nations Human Rights Council Meeting, Geneva, Switzerland
Cheryl Olseth, Director of The Olseth Family Foundation, accompanied The Advocates for Human Rights to the United Nations 55th session of the Human Rights Council and the 140th session of the Human Rights committee in Geneva, Switzerland. The team comprised of volunteers, European NGO partners and staff members. Throughout the session, the participants met with United Nations delegates and special rapporteurs, hosted two panel discussions, presented oral statements to the UN body, and had the opportunity to listen to any of the UN sessions.
This year’s primary focus was to bring attention to judiciary inequity and the lack of safe harbor spaces and violence program funding for women, children and LBGTQI+ persons. The Olseth Family Foundation funded a representative from three partner NGOs. These women were able to provide first-hand accounts of on the ground conditions for women experiencing violence in Cyprus and North Macedonia and women and children seeking asylum in the United Kingdom.
The secondary focus was discussing with delegates the abolition of the death penalty in several of the countries under their 5-year human rights review. In countries where the death penalty would not presently be overturned, the advocates recommended factors such as considering years of domestic violence before the sentencing phase.
Engendering Dignity, Respect and Equality
The Olseth Family Foundation is proud to continue support for The Advocates for Human Rights, who work tirelessly to change systems and conditions that cause human rights abuses. The Advocates fight injustice and improve laws and lives throughout the world while representing individual victims of human rights violations.
Specifically, the foundation funds the Women’s Human Rights Program which focuses on ending violence and discrimination against women and girls by improving laws and policies, both in the United States and globally.
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