Faithful to Our Mission and Members for 60 Years
At the Sons of Norway Foundation, we are driven by a sense of purpose: to celebrate Nordic culture and heritage through scholarships and grants to our members and communities. Since 1966, staying true to this purpose, we have been supporting our members through scholarships and cultural exchange opportunities, providing disaster relief to members in need, and funding community programs that celebrate Norwegian heritage and culture.
Our Core Values
At the heart of our organization is a commitment to building Nordic culture and heritage for the future. We believe in the value of committing to life-long learning and service, creating opportunities for personal growth and community engagement. Guided by demonstrating compassion for our members in need, we foster a welcoming environment where everyone can belong and find support. Through sustaining the link to contemporary Norway, we honor our traditions while maintaining meaningful connections to modern Norwegian culture and the broader Nordic community. Finally, by fostering a community of generosity, we inspire members to give back, support one another, and help our community thrive.
Supporting Dreams,
Strengthening Communities
Past Recipients
Each year, grants and scholarships help support learning, leadership, and cultural engagement.
Meet some of the recipients who have benefited from these opportunities.
Scholarships That Empower Achievement
Through its endowed scholarship program, the Sons of Norway Foundation helps students pursue academic excellence while strengthening their personal and cultural connections. One such student is Camilla Bratteberg of North Carolina Vikings Lodge 3-675. Born in California to Norwegian parents, Camilla has maintained strong ties to both countries. In 2022, she earned her International Baccalaureate diploma from Blindern Videregående Skole in Oslo, achieving top scores of 7 in both Norwegian and math. She then began her studies at the University of California, San Diego, majoring in Bioinformatics, where she combines computational skills and biological sciences as she works toward a career in medicine.
Supporting the Next Generation Through Camperships
Kids learn so much at camp, and the Sons of Norway Foundation is proud to support campership funding in every US district through the Draxten Memorial Endowment Fund. Camp experiences help young people connect with Nordic language and traditions while building confidence, leadership, and teamwork skills. This flag-raising ceremony at Camp Norge, a cherished daily tradition, reflects the enduring connection between Norway and the United States.
Honoring History and Inspiring Community Through Grants
A Sons of Norway Foundation grant helped support a collaborative cultural weekend hosted by Polar Star Lodge 5-472 in Norway, Illinois, as part of the 2025 commemoration marking 200 years of Norwegian emigration to North America. The three-day event brought together 277 participants for a celebration of Norwegian culture featuring a worship service, historical presentations, and community gatherings. Because the area was one of Cleng Peerson’s original settlements, the weekend also included a special reunion of approximately 200 descendants of passengers from the Restauration, the ship that carried the first organized group of Norwegian emigrants to North America.
More About the Foundation
Ways to Give
When you donate to the Sons of Norway Foundation, you help strengthen the Nordic legacy that will keep our vibrant communities thriving for generations to come.
Oversight & Governance
Access annual reports and review organizational bylaws and governance.
Leadership
The Sons of Norway Foundation Board of Governors is a volunteer position that guides the work of the Foundation. Board members meet quarterly as a whole and may have additional committee meetings.
Royal Patronage
The Sons of Norway Foundation is honored to have His Majesty King Harald V of Norway as a Royal Patron.
MAILING ADDRESS
Sons of Norway Foundation
1455 W. Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55408
*If sending a check, please make it payable to “Sons of Norway Foundation”
PHONE
612-821-4655
Toll-free: 800-945-8851
HOURS
Mon-Th: 8 am – 5 pm CT, Fri: 8 am – Noon
SEND US A MESSAGE
