WesleyLife Foundation Our Mission

Explore the origins and heart of the WesleyLife Foundation.

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An older man in a park smiling at the camera.

Our mission is possible thanks to donors like you.

Philanthropy formed our foundation, and it propels our organization today. In 1947, an estate gift funded the purchase of land that would become the first WesleyLife campus. Since then, we have raised more than $83 million to fund our mission.

"WesleyLife provides the needed resources to support the independence, health, and well-being of older adults wherever they call home."

An older woman laughing while holding a cup of coffee.

A supportive community for older adults starts with you.

It all begins with generous donors like you. The future for all of us — older adults, their caregivers and loved ones, and our team members — looks brighter when we care for and invest in one another.

You can play an active part in addressing critical, urgent needs for older adults and take strides toward a future where we more effectively support their independence, health, and well-being.

Our donors impact the critical needs of older adults in meaningful ways.


$83 M

Raised since being founded in 1947

$9600000+

Donated to address food insecurity and social isolation through our Meals on Wheels capital campaign

$1000000+

Donated annually to support older adults remaining secure in their homes with WesleyLife

Our Foundation Board Members


As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, WesleyLife Foundation is governed by an all-volunteer board of directors. Drawing upon both life experience and areas of professional expertise, board members provide oversight for the Foundation and define the ways the group helps to execute the WesleyLife mission.

Travis Simpson

Travis Simpson, Chair

Regional President, Northwest Bank

Connie Isaacson

Connie Isaacson, Vice-Chair

Founding Partner, Retired, Isaacson-Syverson Nonprofit Consulting

Christine Coons

Christine Coons

Director, The Coons Foundation

Nathaniel Doddridge

Nathaniel Doddridge

Vice President of Fuels, Casey’s General Stores

Scott Harrington

Scott Harrington

Board Chairman, Riley Resource Group

Rob Kretzinger

Rob Kretzinger

President and CEO, WesleyLife

Kathryn Kunert

Kathryn Kunert

Vice President of Economic Connections and Integration, MidAmerican Energy

Glen Lewis

Glen Lewis

Executive Director of Edgewater, a WesleyLife Community

Lois Vermeer

Lois Vermeer

Executive Director, Retired, Vermeer Charitable Foundation

Christine Long

Christine Long

Attorney, BrownWinick Law Firm

Chad Rasmussen

Chad Rasmussen

Vice President of Development, Christensen Development

James Collier

James “Jim” Collier

Philanthropist, Honorary Board Member

Our Foundation Team


Our team at WesleyLife consists of compassionate individuals committed to the mission of doing good by all means and in all ways. Together, we can transform lives.

Sophia Ahmad

Sophia S. Ahmad

Vice President of Philanthropy

Matt Johnson

Matthew Johnson

Director of Philanthropy

Amanda Leinen

Amanda Leinen

Director of Donor Data & Compliance

Brena Barton

Brena Barton

Philanthropy Coordinator

Two older adults laughing and spending time with a younger woman.

Together, we're transforming lives with every dollar donated.

Since our early days, we've been driven by a set of principles based on the words of John Wesley — founder of the United Methodist Church — to do all the good we can, by all means, in all ways, in all places, at all times.

As our Foundation grows, we've created programming that aligns with our mission. Today, donors can choose from various impact areas and ways to give in keeping with personal and professional areas of interest. Together, we can make a difference. Every donation helps.

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Make Your Difference

WesleyLife Foundation’s EIN number is 88-2893273