About the Alder Branch Foundation
The Alder Branch Foundation was established in 2023 by the family of David A. Ahlquist, a gifted physician and visionary cancer researcher, a change maker, a lover of nature, and a conjurer of wonder for all he loved and who loved him. Inspired by David’s life, we are committed to using the diverse strengths and shared values of our family to build the Alder Branch Foundation into a multigenerational vehicle for positive change.
Our namesake, the Alder tree, sets in motion a process of renewal by venturing into devastated landscapes and creating shelter for life and community to flourish. Similarly, our mission is to cultivate transformative change in the face of great challenges by partnering with organizations whose work focuses on the intersection of:
- Equitable and just systems
- Human and community resiliency
- Environmental health
We support partner organizations whose work is:
- Holistic
- Innovative (broadly defined)
- Collaborative and inclusive, especially in centering and valuing historically excluded knowledges and voices
- Equity- and justice-oriented
- Focused on clearly identified present and/or future needs
- Respectful of the Earth and non-human life
- Scalable or transferable (able to be adapted and adopted by others)
For those striving to effect transformative change, time spent seeking financial support means less time to do the work, and unpredictable funding streams can hinder planning and add risk to new ventures. With the goal of providing a reliable funding stream, we aim to support our partners for up to three years.
In Loving Memory of David Ahlquist
As a physician, scientist, and clinician, David’s life left an indelible mark not only on his family, but also on the lives he touched through his clinical practice and groundbreaking scientific research. His vision was guided by his principles: the needs of the patient come first, the integrity of the science, and the imperative to work toward meaningful change.
He built meaningful collaborations and partnerships and always focused forward on his vision of a single multi site cancer screening test. That vision lives on. Never one to focus on accolades, he valued the team it takes to accomplish goals, and always looked to the next challenge, the next opportunity to solve a problem to innovate and improve lives.
While David devoted his life to medicine, his spirit found a home in nature. Always an adventurer, he shared his love for the world, his sense of wonder for all living things with his children and grandchildren, as well as the passionate admonishment that “if we do not take care of the environment, nothing else will matter”. That is the meaningful change Alder Branch focuses resources on and we carry him with us into the challenge.
David lived and died with gratitude. He is deeply loved and missed.
Funding Focus for 2024-2027
Few human activities sit more firmly at the intersection of environment, health, and community than the ways we grow, process, distribute, and consume food. The Alder Branch Foundation is committed to identifying and supporting non-profit organizations dedicated to building more just, inclusive, and sustainable food systems that nourish people, communities, and the Earth.
We are especially interested in supporting organizations who draw on diverse knowledges and perspectives to help chart viable pathways forward by serving as role models, teachers, community-builders, thought leaders, advocates, innovators, and motivators. We give priority to organizations whose models and/or practices can be adapted and adopted by others.
Our Board
Susan Ahlquist
Following her career as a health care provider and administrator, Susan now serves with community, regional, and national organizations focused on issues of community resource development, governance, access, and equity. Her special areas of interest include supporting those organizations working toward “whole health” in human services, food security, health care, and the environment. A mother to three children and their partners, and grandmother of seven, Susan lives in Rochester, Minnesota.
Aaron Ahlquist
After starting his professional journey on the legislative staff of a US Senator, Aaron spent more than a decade working on behalf of injured parties in some of the largest environmental and pharmaceutical mass tort litigation in American history. He currently directs policy and strategy across fifteen states for a major non-profit organization committed to creating a just and equitable society for all. Aaron and his family live in New Orleans.
Daniel Ahlquist
As a social scientist and professor, Daniel studies social inequities and human relationships with nature. His teaching and research focus on social and environmental justice, settler colonialism, migration, land use change, conservation, and agriculture and food systems. He and his family live in Michigan.
Brooke Carlson
As an elected local official and consulting firm owner, Brooke is deeply committed to improving community health and addressing the root causes of inequities. Her niche is engaging health systems, government agencies, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations to collaboratively develop and evaluate innovative and strategic ways to advance shared goals. Brooke’s strength lies in co-designing initiatives, systems, and policies that center people and their lived experiences. Brooke and her family live in Minnesota.
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How to Connect
At this time, we are not accepting unsolicited funding requests or inquiries. If you have any questions,
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