We envision a future enriched by the exchange between the USA & Denmark of people, ideas, and cultural experiences. As we enter this next phase of our evolution, we are committed to a new strategic direction by elevating our focus on environmental sustainability to mitigate the effects of a changing climate.

Inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, we will lead with our core values and direct our grantmaking towards environmental changemakers – academic students and faculty, policy makers and elected officials and non-profit organizations – to inspire a collective focus on protecting our environment and changing the climate trajectory in the US, Denmark, and beyond.

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Honoring Our Founder’s Legacy

Inger and Jens' generous spirits live on in the efforts of the Scan Design Foundation. To honor their legacy, under this new strategic framework our grant investments will;

Build on long-term partnerships with organizations that celebrate Danish and American roots to foster cross-cultural exchange.

Respond to new opportunities with partners in the cultural sector, including building bridges with the Danish Ministries of Culture.

Convene grantees to share ideas and better practices and leverage the power of collaboration.

Legacy of Jens & Inger Bruun

Environmental Sustainability

Under this new plan, we will adopt an environmental stewardship strategy that mitigates the effects of climate change by supporting the circular economy via sustainable cities and the production of clean energy. We will align our grants portfolio to support;

Innovative breakthroughs in environmental education.

Knowledge exchanges to build peer-to-peer connections and pilot programs.

Civic engagement and policy efforts to activate investments from the public sector.

Environmental Sustainability

Education & Career Advancement

Since 2005 the Foundation has supported over 300 students through fellowships, internships, faculty-led summer programs, and master studios in a variety of disciplines at major universities in Washington, Oregon and Wisconsin, along with an exchange program to study at five Danish universities in Copenhagen, Aarhus and Aalborg. We regularly receive feedback from participants that their experience in Denmark was transformative. We will continue to support this vital cross-cultural exchange to build bridges and exchange knowledge around environmental sustainability research and best practices. Our investments will be directed towards;

Scholarships for undergraduate and graduate-level college student study abroad programs, fellowships, and master study programs, with an emphasis on students from traditionally marginalized groups.

Creating pathways to careers through immersive short-term internships.

Providing travel support for faculty-led learning trips, as well as with professionals and elected officials to participate in facilitated delegations to witness Danish innovation first-hand.

Education and Career Advancement

What We Support

Global Goals

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are an urgent call for action by all countries in a global partnership. The 17 Goals recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.

view all 17 goals

Inspired by this ambitious agenda, Scan Design Foundation has elected to weave our grantmaking strategies around education and environmental sustainability, aligned with the following goals;