Our Mission
Mortenson Family Foundation builds partnerships to strengthen community-driven approaches that advance equity, opportunity, and sustainable systems.
Our Values
- Community
- Service
- Family
- Integrity
- Responsibility
- Humility
In 1999, Alice and Mort Mortenson created the Mortenson Family Foundation as an expression of gratitude – for the privilege of living and working in a vital and vibrant community, and for the great joy our family brings to our lives. The Foundation offers our family an opportunity to work together to make a positive, lasting difference in our communities for generations to come. Each family member plays a pivotal role in our work, contributing skills and experiences to benefit our communities.

We engage individual compassion and interests as stewards, rooted in shared values, to work, learn, and do something remarkable together.
Board of Directors
Alice Mortenson Chris Mortenson Dana Mortenson David Mortenson Kate Mortenson |
Katie Mortenson Mark Mortenson Mauritz A. Mortenson Mathias Mortenson Nathalie Mortenson |
Board Officers
Alice Mortenson, Chair
Mauritz A. Mortenson, Vice President
Mark Mortenson, Secretary
Randy Jenson, Treasurer
Donna Dalton, Executive Director (Ex-Officio)
History
1999
The Mortenson Family Foundation was founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the means for the family to join together to express their common values.
1999 – 2009
In its first decade, the Foundation provided grants to local, national, and international charitable organizations that represent the family members' interest in a variety of areas.
2010
The Board of Directors formalized the Foundation’s systems and structure. Donna Dalton joined the Foundation as Executive Director. The Foundation began a three-year planning process for its grantmaking programs.
2014
The Foundation celebrated its 15-year anniversary and the milestone of cumulatively providing 375 grants to organizations. The Foundation continues to strengthen its understanding of how to best help communities.