Each year, the Sons of Norway Foundation contributes thousands of dollars to communities throughout the United States in the form of grants and scholarships. Many of the Foundation’s awards are intended to maximize the outstanding work our lodges throughout the country are doing within their communities. This year’s grant recipients exemplify this spirit, including 2017 Local Lodge Partnership Grant recipient Kong Sverre 1-482 in Story City, IA. The Sons of Norway Foundation matched the lodge’s donation of $1,500 to a local charitable organization, One Heart Equestrian Therapy, an organization that connects individuals with physical, mental or cognitive limitations with horses as a therapeutic outlet.
On April 10, the lodge celebrated its gift to One Heart and presented a check to the charity’s co-founder, Kris Lager. The event marked a continuation of the close relationship Kong Sverre has cultivated with One Heart. Sons of Norway International President John Tehven and Financial Benefits Counselor Sterling Dahl were also on hand to celebrate the contribution the lodge has made to One Heart and the clients who benefit from the organization’s work.
Story City isn’t the only place Sons of Norway is helping lodges make a difference. In St. Paul, the Foundation presented a check to Synnove-Nordkap 1-8 lodge for woodcarving classes. It also awarded a Lund Fund Scholarship to Mae Hovland, who will be leaving soon to study in Japan. Named in honor of former Sons of Norway CEO John Lund and his father, former Sons of Norway legal counsel, Allan Lund, the award supports students studying abroad. 
For more than 50 years, the Sons of Norway Foundation has been dedicated to promoting and preserving Norwegian heritage, improving the lives of members and making our communities more vibrant places to live. In that time, the Foundation has awarded more than $2 million.
To learn more about the different scholarships and grants the Sons of Norway Foundation offers, please visit the Foundation section of the Sons of Norway website.