Sons of Norway is the largest Norwegian organization outside of Norway itself. In 1895, eighteen Norwegian immigrants founded the Sons of Norway in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Initially, it was set up as a fraternal benefit society aimed at protecting members and their families from financial hardship.

Over the years, the mission has expanded to include preserving Norwegian heritage and culture outside of Norway, alongside offering life insurance and financial products. The organization has also established a Foundation for its philanthropic efforts.

The Foundation provides scholarships, grants, and cultural exchange opportunities. In 2023, the Sons of Norway Foundation distributed over $241,000 for scholarships for higher education, grants for cultural and heritage programs, and camp scholarships for children. The Foundation welcomes donations and legacy gifts.

The Sons of Norway boasts around 330 lodges in the United States and Norway, with a membership exceeding 60,000

Membership benefits include the Viking magazine, lodge meetings, social gatherings, lodge and regional programs, an engaging blog, newsletters, genealogy resources, Norwegian language classes, an online store, travel discounts, and much more. The event calendar on the website is another valuable resource.

I joined the local lodge in Monterey, California, many years ago. Each lodge has its own governance, meetings, programs, newsletter, website, events, and more. I’ve recently reconnected with the local group and am excited to be their delegate at the upcoming District 6 Convention in Las Vegas this June.

I’m looking forward to the cultural programs, leadership seminars, and business meetings. The Viking theme and the chance to socialize with new acquaintances are particularly exciting. I plan to absorb as much information as possible to share with you in future posts.

Anyone interested in Nordic culture and heritage can become a member of Sons of Norway. Share your membership stories in the comments!