The Swanson Endowment Fund for Staff Development was established in 2004 by Bert Swanson, a founding member of the Community Foundation of Chippewa County and a former member of its Board of Directors. This enduring fund reflects Bert's deep commitment to strengthening philanthropy by investing in the people who make meaningful community work possible.

Each year, the Swanson Endowment Fund supports professional development and training opportunities for the foundation's paid staff. By enhancing staff skills, knowledge, and leadership capacity, the fund helps ensure the Community Foundation remains effective, innovative, and responsive to the needs of donors, nonprofit partners, and communities throughout Chippewa County. Bert created this fund with the belief that attracting and retaining dedicated professionals is essential to fulfilling the foundation's mission.

Bert Swanson was known for his extraordinary passion for philanthropy and his unwavering belief in the power of local service. He consistently demonstrated that giving back to one's own community is both a responsibility and an honor. Alongside other visionary leaders, Bert helped establish the Community Foundation of Chippewa County in 2001. His legacy lives on through this endowment, which will continue to strengthen the foundation's work and support the charitable organizations that serve our county for generations to come.