DALF - History

History

The Danish American Language Foundation was established in 1976 in commemoration of Denrnark's participation in the American Bicentennial Celebration. The Foundation was incorporated as a non-profit organization in the State of Illinois in 1975 and the Foundation received tax-exempt status in 1976.

During a visit to Chicago in May 1976, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark presented a check in the amount of $50,000 to the Foundation's first President, Jens Jensen. The money represented funds raised by the USA-76 committee, a committee comprising of the Danish Government, Danish companies, various foundations in Denmark and private citizens.

The purpose of the Danish American Language Foundation is to help preserve the Danish language and culture in the United States. Most importantly the Foundation's purpose is to contribute to the preservation of the Danish voice in the United States in form of financial support to the Danish newspapers "Den Danske Pioneer" which was founded in Chicago in 1872 and "Bien" which was founded in Los Angeles in 1882.

The Foundation has through the years supporied many causes to help preserve the Danish language and culture in the United States. Below are listed some of the very worthy causes the Foundation has supported:

Danish journalists - A total of 18 young Danish journalists have worked for periods of 6 months at the two Danish newspapers in the United States from 1977-1986
Den Danske Pioneer - Newspaper (Click here for web site)
Kirke og Folk
Museum of Danish America (Click here for web site)
National Foundation for Danish America (Click here for web site)
Skovssøen - Language Village (Click here for web site)
Concordia - Danish Language Village (Click here for web site)
Himmelbjerget - Danish Language Camp (Click here for web site)
Montana Public Television (Production of "En søndag på Amager")
Danish American Athletic Club - Books for Danish language classes (Click here for web site) and other Danish American organizations
University of Chicago - Danish language classes
North Park University - Danish language classes
Scholarships for many young people to get Danish education in Denmark and the United States

Danish language classes no longer offered

From the beginning and to this day, the Danish American Language Foundation has been governed by Boards of dedicated Danish Americans, in close cooperation with the Consulate General of Denmark in Chicago.