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 | Arts, Culture & Education
Music, dance, acting, visual art and literature are a bridge between America’s many disparate populations. Research has proven access to culture increases compassion, fosters connections, transcends divisions, resulting in greater empathy and the potential to unify diverse communities of people.
For these reasons, The Olseth Family Foundation Mission selected support of the Arts as a cornerstone. Championing small live theatre has been a means to reach targeted, traditionally underrepresented actors and audiences. Our reach has remained local, yet the breadth of impact has been wide. Examples include, 1. development of a short play written for elementary children, which highlighted the similarities of all immigrants, 2. sponsorship of a cohort of minority actors who were given year long mentorship opportunity with creative and artistic directors, as well as other management positions, 3. on-going unrestricted funding for Riverland Community College and Minnesota State, Mankato theatre companies, and 4. funding for a dedicated public writing space for both playwrights and neighborhood residents with the future home of the Playwright Center
Cultural exploration propels each of us outside our everyday comfort zone. Over the past decade, we have assisted in funding exhibits at the Children’s Museum of Minnesota which has provided young children an opportunity to charge and drive a kid size electric car, experience how flowing water changes a landscape and learn about the importance of farming. We have also made it possible for many St. Olaf College students to study off-campus, domestically and globally,
Finally, we have given much attention to the written word, hosting a Community College reading by Poet Laureate Joy Harjo during the pandemic, providing author Shel Silverstein’s beloved book “Where the Sidewalk Ends” to every fourth grader in Minnesota’s Blue Earth County, and underwriting K-12 library programs throughout great Minneapolis and Portland metro areas.
We are excited to share the importance of public libraries as we feature a long-time partner Portland, Oregon’s Multnomah Public Library System.
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Poet Gregory Pardlo Reading and Book Signing at Brainerd’s Verse Like Water
Attendees received copies of Spectral Evidence, Dr. Pardlo’s newest book, compliments of the Olseth Family Foundation
Dr. Gregory Pardlo, the 2015 Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, filled the Chalberg Theatre on the Central Lake College Campus on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 for a poetry reading, book signing and informal craft talk. Attendees received a copy Dr. Pardlo’s newest poetry book,Spectral Evidence, compliments of the Olseth Family Foundation.
Verse Like Water is an ongoing celebration of great imaginative literature, and its purpose is to dream into being first class literary events for the Brainerd Lakes Region. As the premier reading series in the Midwest featuring only poets, Verse Like Water promotes reading, writing, and community building across the Brainerd Lakes Region.
