June 26, 2026 | Stories
After the unexpected death of her brother and the loss of her mother soon after, Pam Swedlund began searching for a meaningful way to honor their lives and invest in the city where she grew up. Philanthropy offered a natural path.
Swedlund established memorial donor advised funds at the Wichita Foundation, drawn to the organization and its people.
“The Wichita Foundation felt like this hidden gem that people just didn’t know about,” Swedlund said.
Rather than making one-time gifts, Swedlund gives on a recurring monthly basis, a decision shaped by practicality and long-term impact.
“I don’t have a lot of money to give, so this was a way I could consistently give,” Swedlund said. “It made it easier to budget and easier to give. You don’t have to think about it every month or every year.”
Over time, she has seen how consistent giving can add up.
“A little goes a long way,” Swedlund said. “Maybe not today or tomorrow, but over time.”
Her approach reflects a broader belief about philanthropy and community responsibility.
“Sometimes we don’t appreciate what we’ve gotten,” Swedlund said. “We don’t realize how we’ve gotten it and what others have done to make that possible for us. It’s an opportunity to pay it back or pay it forward.”
