The Eleanor & Henry Jansen Foundation, a supporting organization of SLF, was founded in 1998 to honor the legacy of philanthropy shown by Eleanor & Henry Jansen in their lifetime. This foundation offers support to 501 (c)(3) agencies and organizations in Whatcom County for various programs and projects, especially those with a focus on youth. The Board meets quarterly.

Jansen Art Center

"A place where artists will create and teach, the community will gain an appreciation of the arts, and kids of all ages will find a place to be encouraged and inspired.”


The Eleanor and Henry Jansen Foundation has received the donation of the Old Lynden City Hall from the City of Lynden as part of a proposal to develop a new arts center where kids of all ages will find their creative expression.


The old city hall building would undergo complete renovation, restoring the building’s original character and design with a 125 seat recital hall in the old Council Chambers,  Woods Coffee in the old Fire Hall, gift shop and gallery in the old treasurer's office  and a meeting and workshop room in the old administrative offices. 

The foundation is also acquiring the 1912 Steinhauer building.  The two structures would be renovated to create the Jansen Art Center.  The former Knapp & Knapp building would house three dance floors (A Gift of Dance), pottery studio, weaving studio, music practice rooms and other arts related activities such as glass works and jewelry making.

Zervas Group Architects is the architect  for the 8,000 square foot renovation. Exxel Pacific has been selected as the project contractor.   
   
Total  project costs including property acquisition and renovation are estimated at $2 million. Jansen Foundation will fund the project and oversee the renovation with the goal of gifting the finished building debt free to a new community nonprofit organization with its own independent board. This governing board will be responsible for operating, staffing, programming and insuring ongoing sustainability for the Jansen Arts Center.

The Jansen Art Center founding board is made up of local citizens who have a passion for the arts and a strong commitment to the ongoing success and sustainability of the center. The Jansen Art Center board recently incorporated and is applying for their 501c3 from the IRS. Once the 501c3 status is received and the renovation is complete the Jansen Foundation will gift the completed project back to the community through the Jansen Art Center organization.

Community involvement in the conceptual phase of the Jansen Art Center has been extensive and was key to creating the initial vision that resulted in the facility plan.

Local community members  are encouraged to become involved by serving as volunteers for future planning of the arts center and fund raising activities and overall supporters of the project.