A Lifestime of Giving


Semi-retired attorney and current Duluthian, Dan Mundt, Sr. is living proof that great things can come from humble beginnings. Born in the late 20’s, Dan spent much of his childhood living in a small home with no hot water tank in Spooner, Wisconsin.

“I walked to school everyday,” Dan says about growing up. “In the winter people didn’t drive cars. Times were different then.” Prior to becoming an attorney, he worked a variety of part-time jobs including handyman, farm hand, millwright’s assistant in a paper mill, and as a butter maker's helper. At just 19 he became a Field Artillery Battery Commander. Following his time in the military, Dan went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, J.D. degree in Law and a Masters Degree in Psychology, all at the University of Minnesota.

Upon graduation, Dan went on to practice law for 55 years. His work ranged from serving as Jeno Paulucci’s legal counsel, to representing unionized grocery stores and the timber industry each for over 50 years, working on Timber Management Plans for many National Forests including the Superior National Forest, and helping those in need. Regardless of the client, Dan says he treated them all equally, “It didn’t matter if I was working for someone with money versus those who didn’t have anything. They were all treated the same.”

He taught Business Law and Government Regulations for many years at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD). He started a college student program at UMD for Presbyterian Congregational and Baptist denominations named the United Youth Fellowship (UYF). He’s served as a Protestant lay preacher in northwest Wisconsin and northeast Minnesota for over 50 years. He has also been a speaker for the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans for over 20 years as well.

Dan credits God, wife, mother, children and mentors for his success. He believes strongly that his contributions depend on them not himself alone.

Off the clock, Dan and his wife, Cathy, whom he married more than 57 years ago, are the parents of five happy, healthy and talented children. For many, these accomplishments would be enough. But for Dan, he felt called to also be involved in other areas.

Drawing strength from his faith, Dan has spent most of his adult life helping others. “I have a strong belief that if God gives you the ability, you use it,” he explains. From sitting on the Duluth School Board and Y.M.C.A. board to serving on the Session and as Chairman of the Legacy and Endowment Fund at Glen Avon Church for 35-years, to presiding as President of the Northern Bible Study, and helping countless other organizations he has dedicated his life to public service.

In addition to giving his time, Dan and Cathy support a number of organizations in the region financially. When asked why, Dan says “The Lord has been good to us and throughout the years we’ve managed to accumulate some funds. We wanted to share some of that.”

By working with the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation to establish two designated funds, Dan and Cathy are able to support multiple organizations that they are committed to. The funds give 40 percent of the income from one fund and 100 percent of the income from the second fund to Later Bloomers. In addition, more than fifteen other non-profits in the region will continue to benefit from their giving.

In addition to their designated funds, Dan worked at the Glen Avon Presbyterian Church, Duluth to establish a Legacy and Endowment Fund with 5 programs. Among this was a scholarship fund that benefits the late bloomers. Dan believes scholarships, which benefits young people who might not otherwise have received a scholarship, has made a major impact on this community. “The most powerful thing the scholars say to us is the scholarship isn’t so much about the money but rather that because you believed in us, we can now believe in ourselves.” The program currently has about a 95-98 percent success rate.

Finally, Dan has played a vital role in establishing the Northern Bible Society designated fund at the Community Foundation. The primary focus of Northern Bible Society Fund is to translate the Bible to ensure that everyone has access to the Bible in their language. The translators, which often dedicate their life to translating the word of God, are just some of the beneficiaries of this fund.

“These people do this because they care. They are sought after people. If they wanted to make money, they could easily make five or more figures. They are extremely intelligent. But instead, they do this because they recognize the value in sharing the Lord’s word.”

By partnering with the Community Foundation, Dan and his family’s commitment to community will last in perpetuity. In the meantime, Dan and Cathy can continue to play an active role in giving back to the community that’s given so much to them. “We made the right choice,” Dan and Cathy say. “When we’re gone our impact will continue. Knowing that our funds will last in perpetuity is a good feeling and having our funds giving money to organizations and programs we have selected each year has been a very rewarding experience.”