Everything we do, every single day, depends on generous gifts to the Vesterheim Annual fund from friends like YOU! Thank you for your support.
We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization under the regulations of the Internal Revenue Service. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.
Vesterheim is first and foremost, a community. Many among us choose to support our community with financial gifts. There are lots of ways to get involved. Choose from the many options below, or contact Diane Brondyke, Development Director at dbrondyke@vesterheim.org to talk about your ideas.
Vesterheim thanks all of the people who have hosted so many fantastic Vesterheim events around the country! From dinners and dances for hundreds of guests to dessert for small groups in a private backyard, those who appreciate Norwegian art and heritage come together to enjoy each other’s company and share their enthusiasm for Vesterheim.
Vesterheim accepts donated objects for use on the museum campus or for fundraising purposes. Examples of museum use items include tools and supplies to help in museum up-keep. Examples of fundraising items include artwork for raffles, and items and services for auctions. To discuss your gift, contact Diane Brondyke, Director of Development, at dbrondyke@vesterheim.org or 563-382-9681.
Every year, new objects, books, or archival materials are added to the collection through the generosity of individuals and organizations. These donations help Vesterheim fulfill its mission of sharing the Norwegian-American experience.
Below is a list of items Vesterheim would like to add to the collection. If you think you have something that will enhance Vesterheim’s collection, please contact Jennifer Kovarik, Registrar, at jkovarik@vesterheim.org or 563-382-9681 to discuss the donation.
We consider our donors partners in our shared goals.
Here are ways we honor that relationship:
Valhalla Society, honoring those individuals who include Vesterheim in their estate plans
Kronneklubben, honoring those individuals whose cumulative giving reaches $10,000 or more.
Annual Reports keep our investors informed about how we’ve spent their donor dollars, and give us an opportunity to say thank you to all who makes Vesterheim’s mission possible.
Vesterheim endorses the Donor Bill of Rights, created by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and the Giving Institute: Leading Consultants to Non-Profits. View the most recent Donor Bill of Rights here.
Vesterheim’s Annual Fund provides the infrastructure to allow us to serve our four most fundamental values, that we be welcoming, good stewards, authentic, and have integrity in everything we do. Additionally, Annual Fund covers critical behind-the-scenes expenses. Here are just a few annual fund projects in recent years:
Volunteers of all ages and abilities are involved at Vesterheim, and new volunteers are always welcome. There are great opportunities for people from many walks of life. You may be able to offer a specific skill or talent, but often, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn are the only requirements for a volunteer task!
There is no better way to connect to our community than through the Vesterheim membership program.
Whether you run a local business or a large multi-national corporation, we’ve got a partnership package that can suit your budget and marketing goals.
Vesterheim is fortunate to have friends who express their generosity with planned charitable gifts. Learn how to include Vesterheim in your will or other long-term…
Remembering Vesterheim in your will makes the museum more sustainable, and can help you minimize your estate tax impact.
Kroneklubben
In 2000, Vesterheim launched Kroneklubben or “Crown Club” for recognizing our most generous and devoted donors. This special recognition acknowledges accumulated lifetime gifts and is essential for helping us achieve our mission. Membership in Kroneklubben is a high honor starting at $10,000 up to $29,999 for the pewter level, followed by bronze at $30,000-99,999, next is silver with a range from $100,000-499,999, then gold at $500,000-999,000, and ultimately platinum for lifetime gifts of $1,000,000 and more.
Vesterheim chose this bridal crown, drawn and interpreted by Norwegian-American artist Elisabeth Maurland, to be a symbol for its Kroneklubben. For us too, the crown represents the ties that bind us as a community, linking us to each other and to those that come before and after us. Your gifts to Vesterheim enable the museum to sustain this mission, to share a cultural legacy, for years to come.
The crown illustrated on the Kronekluben award is a part of the Vesterheim collection. It helps to tell the story of living Norwegian-American heritage that Vesterheim embodies. Bridal crowns were treasures of a Norwegian community, shared by all for marking special occasions. Crowns, like this one from Trondheim, were keepsakes, used to literally and symbolically pass along traditions. Crowns connected generations: as an older woman placed the bridal crown on the head of a young woman, she linked generations, and members of the community, in a celebration of that heritage and tradition.
Just as the bridal crown is passed from one generation to another within a community, your support ensures that Vesterheim keeps its stories alive for tomorrow’s generations. We invite you to consider a gift or pledge to become a part of this prestigious group.
PLATINUM ($1,000,000 +)
Dan F. and Bonnie J.* Huebner
Trygve Lønnebotn
GOLD ($500,000 - $999,000)
J. Harry and Josefa H. Andersen*
Owen Bekkum
Donna Danielson Estate
Charles Gulbransen*
James A. and Elaine Halls
Luther College
Marion* and Lila Nelson
The Government and People of Norway
Ruth Wamstad Estate
Barbara M. Westby*
SILVER ($100,000 - $499,000)
Anonymous
Anonymous*
Kenn R. Barry*
Gertrude H. Berg*
Duane and Eileen Bruening
Bryant Foundation
Brenda and David Carlson
Decorah Bank & Trust Co.
Amanda F. Duff*
Mary Embertson*
Evelyn Evenson*
Jon and Mary Hart
Helen M. Heitmann*
Edwin R. And Joan T. Hemphill*
Harriet M. Hustvedt*
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
John A. Johnson Foundation
John K. & Luise V. Hanson Foundation
Wayne and Dorothy Johnson
Dean E.* and Marilynn Amdal Madden
Herbert C. Madison*
Helena Naef*
National Endowment for the Humanities
Alyce I. Neetzel*
Betty R. and David T.* Nelson
Dr. Eugene J. Nordby
Nordic Brunch
H. Signe Ostby and Scott Cook
Hamlet and Suzanne Peterson
Anna Rosendahl*
Harold Segelstad
Robert and Rebecca Shaw
State Historical Society of Iowa Grants Office
Louise and Leland Sundet
Sundet Foundation
Helen (Molly) Sverdrup*
John W. Thompson
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans (formerly Lutheran Brotherhood & Aid Association for Lutherans)
Vision Iowa / Iowa Department of Economic Development
Ruth Wickney*
Marwin* and June Wrolstad
BRONZE ($30,000 - $99,999)
Evy and Robert A. Alsaker
Dr. Alf Altern*
American-Scandinavian Foundation
Anonymous*
A.N. Arntzen
Bank of the West
Helen Basler
Gladys Bertsch
Eileen Borchers*
Borgen Family Foundation
Bryant Foundation
John and Veronna Capone
Lyle and Jean Cary*
Chicago Friends of Vesterheim
Kenneth V. Dahl
Carlin Dahler*
Edith* and Edward Delman
Delman Mortenson Charitable Foundation
Sallie Haugen DeReus
Phil and Audrey Dybdahl
Joseph and Ione Ellis
Orton L. Enstad*
Lindsay and Karla Erdman
Lowell and Audrey* Erdman
Eric and Joan Norgaard Charitable Trust
Eugene J. Nordby and Olive M. Nordby Foundation
Featherlite, Inc.
Ella Ager Fossum
Fred Carlson Company, Inc.
G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation
GreenPoint Bank
Gundersen Health System
Hacker, Nelson & Co., P.C.
Glenn Haga*
Hagen & Kallevang P.C.
Richard and Diane Halom
Newman T. Halvorson
Marilyn H. Hansen
David J. Hardy
Richard C. and Joann (Harr) Hemp
Hal A. and Patricia G. Hetland
Humanities Iowa
Iowa Arts Council
Alvin A. Johnson*
Ruth Christine Johnson
Russell and Ingrid Keune
Lorin H. Klemesrud*
Larry and Gail Larson
Madison Friends of Vesterheim
Kate M. Martinson
Carl McConeghey*
David and Linda Brekke Mona
Milma Naeseth*
Irene and Harry* Navarre
David T. Nelson*
Glenn Nelson
Olive Nordby*
Neal R. and Gerry Nottleson
Mary Ann Olsen*
Karen Owen-Tuzcu
Sonja Peterson
Kate Nelson Rattenborg
Janice W. Relf*
Rochester Friends of Vesterheim
Jeff and Marilyn Roverud
Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust
T. Eileen Russell
Robert and Elizabeth Sande
Tollef Sanderson*
Charlene and Gil* Schjeldahl
Michael and Diane Schmidt
Philip C. Smaby
Ingebor Husby Smith*
Ruth and Arne Sorenson
Dr. Robert F. Spier
Hazel T. Stoeckeler
C. Peter Strong
Daniel and Mary Ann Thurmer
Violette I. Twedt*
Ella Valborg Tweet*
Viking State Bank & Trust
Mike Voltmer
Mrs. G. H. Westby*
Dr. David W.* and Peg Wright
Harriet S. Wrolstad*
Marguerite Ylvisaker*
PEWTER ($10,000 - $29,999)
99th Infantry Battalion
A & J Petersburg Agency
Marian R. Aaker
Mr. and Mrs. Maynard E.* Aaker
Alliant Energy Foundation, Inc.
American Car Club of Norway
Nancy E. Anderson*
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous, misc.
Jack and Ellie* Anundsen
Russell and Jean Ashbaugh, Jr.
Phyllis A. Askildsen*
Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company
Augsburg Publishing House
Ray Aune*
Joan M. Barager Estate
Helen Bruening Barbier
Dennis and Doris Barnaal
Marie Kleppe Barness*
The Bay and Paul Foundations
Naomi F. Bekkum
Bernice Rise Trust
Arley and Beverly Bjella*
Jackie Bjoin*
Mary J. and Gerald Boman
Joan Liffring-Zug Bourret
Michael J. Bovre
Ed and Mette Bowen
Brekke Tours and Travel
Kenneth M. and Eleanor A.* Brown
Keith B. and Amy Bruening
Bruening Rock Products, Inc.
Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Callaghan
Curtis L. Carlson*
Dr.* and Mrs. Harley Carlson
Helen Carlson*
Bill Cary
Casper Plumbing & Heating, Inc.
City of Decorah
Peter Coffeen
Karlyn N. Cross*
Clifford I. Cummings*
Dahl Family Foundation
Deco Products Company
Lois Drews
Mary M. Dunea
Janet Isabelle Dyck
Irving R. Eittreim*
Richard M. and Nancy L. Enstad
Erdman Engineering, P.C.
James and Joy Erickson
Kristine S. Erickson
Norman E. Erickson Estate
Ernest M. Espelie*
Evjue Foundation, Inc.
Janet B. Figg
Edward H. and Sandra Fish
E. T. and Marjery Fjelde
Richard H. and Vivian Fjeldheim
Sanford* and Wilma Fosholt
Ella Ager Fossum
David Frew
Else Bettum Friberg*
Helene M. Furst
Francis* and Geneice Gaasedelen
Gary and Miriam Gandrud
Helen Garnaas
General Mills Foundation
William N. Georgeson*
Dean and Ann Gesme
Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Granum
Karen and James Gray
Barbara L. Greenfeldt
Larry and Diane Grimstad
Glen H. Gronlund
Gunnar A. Gundersen, M.D.
Lawrence R. Hafstad*
Newman T. Halvorson, Sr.*
Marilyn H. Hansen
Minnard H. Hanson
Karyne and C. Blaine* Harstad
Carol and Paul Hasvold
Mr. and Mrs. Roe H. Hatlen
Lawrence O. and Lois Hauge
Eva Haugen*
Haugen Living Trust
David and Kirsten Heine
Mr. and Mrs. Orrin L. Helstad
Barbara and Dale Henning
Darrell Henning and Terry Sparkes
Ann Highum
Martha Marie A. Hoghaug*
James M. and Susan R. Honsvall
Hotel Winneshiek
Hotel-Motel Tax
Robert and Arlene Houlihan
Ronald E. Hovda
Carrie Hovland*
Stanley and Helen Howe
Gertrude Husby
Joseph and Mary Husby
Pearl Husby
IBM Corporation
Connie Jacobson*
Jerry and Jo Sonja Jansen
Jay L. and Sandra O. Jensen
The John R. Cross Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation
Darold E. and Carol O. Johnson
Dennis and Carole Johnson
Inga Doris Johnson*
Martin and Ruth Johnson
Ruby A. Johnson*
Steven and Barbara Johnson
Ione N. Kadden*
Esther Kittelson*
Iva Kjerland*
Knut Utstein Kloster
Mrs. Lewis Kranick
Earl Kruse*
Theodora H. Kubly*
Severt Kvamme
Mrs. Nordis Landsverk*
Merlin* and Margaret Lee
Dorothy and Maurice* Leon
Phyllis Leseth*
Joan M. Leuenberger
James W. and Martha Ylvisaker Limburg
C. Paul and Marlys* Lindholm
Scott and Anne Lindblom
Justine and Paul* Lionberger
Leif Lomo
Prof. Carl R. Loper Jr.* and Jane L. Loper
Norman Lorentzsen*
Daniel A. and Ann Mansfield
McGraw-Hill Companies Foundation
Elsie Melby*
Clifford M. Miller
Esther R. Miller*
The Minneapolis Foundation
Mobil Foundation Inc.
Grace O. Molloy*
Nancy and Fred Morgan
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Mork*
Alida Motland*
Michael K. Musgrave
David L. and Ann Nelson
Harland and Corinne Nelson
Marlin P. Nelson
Elsie Ardis H. Norlander*
Frieda Nowland
Nuveen Investments
Sharon B. O’Hara
James R.* and Marilyn Olin
Alfred D. and LaDelle Olson*
Connie Osmundson*
Osmund and Barbara Overby
Sherman Oyen*
Helga Lund Parsons*
George J. Pedersen
Brit Aabakken Peterson*
Janet Blohm Pultz and Vaughan M. Pultz
Martin W. Reinhart
Barbara Rennie
Finn Roed
Lee and David Rokke
Jerry Rosholt*
Robert and Lucille Rosholt
Royal Norwegian Consulate General, Minneapolis
Royal Norwegian Embassy
Eleanor Rud
William O. Running Estate
Ruth Rupp
Beverly J. Saboe
Lyle and Lucille* Sacquitne
Kathleen Bergan Schmidt
Neil Schraeder
Selmer Corporation
Julia Shima*
Silos and Smokestacks
Gerald R. Sime*
Dr. and Mrs. C. A. Skaugstad
W. David and Kaaren T. Slawson
Mrs. Lloyd H. Snively*
Barbara Solberg*
Else M. Solberg
Sons of Norway Foundation
Sons of Norway, Concordia Lodge #6-070
Sons of Norway, Trollheim Lodge #6-110
Sons of Norway, Valdres Lodge #1-503
Stanley Engineered Fastening
Janice Stewart
Gilman M. and Helen C. Storlie*
Henry Strong*
Robert and Frances Sundt
Lucile G. Swenson*
Thompson Investment Management
Jack Thompson*
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans-Choice Dollars
Donald A. and Virginia Tollefson*
Henrietta P. Torgerson
The Tuzcu Family Charitable Fund
James and Nancy Ulring
Ingeborg L. Ulvestad*
Vanberia International Gifts LLC
Dean and Carol Vigeland
Viking River Cruises, Inc.
Joann Voltmer
Voltmer, Inc.
Walmart Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. William K. Wangensteen
Boyd Wasson
James and Caroline Weis
Robert Wellvang
Dr. Lorraine Westerberg*
Patricia T. White
Winneshiek County
Thomas A. Woods, Ph.D., Making Sense of Place
Sue P. Wrolstad
* deceased