From Small Acorns … Great Oaks Grow
Story of the Foundation
John J. “Jack” Keller started his one-man transportation consulting business with help from his wife, Ethel, in 1953. Over the years, the privately held company grew and evolved into a marketplace leader. When asked about the company’s success, Jack often used the analogy, “from small acorns … great oaks grow.”
The couple wanted to share their success with the community, so in 1990, Jack established a foundation (originally known as the Keller Foundation Ltd.) in celebration of Ethel’s 70th birthday.
A Focus on Basic Needs
Today, the primary focus of the J. J. Keller Foundation, Inc. is to provide funding to nonprofit community organizations, projects and programs in the Fox Valley that address:
- Basic human needs (food, shelter, clothing, education, good medical care)
- The causes and consequences of poverty
- Special areas of interest such as mental illness
The J. J. Keller Foundation is a private, independent family foundation, rather than a corporate foundation. We are a separate entity from J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. ®, although we invite associates in the company to participate in charitable Foundation endeavors, such as a matching gifts program, Habitat for Humanity home builds and other benevolent work in the community.