History
In 1946, Samuel Kersten, Jr., returned from service in the US Army during World War II. With support from his father, he started WaterSaver Faucet Co., with the goal of building a business to manufacture high quality faucets, valves and related products for use in science laboratories. From modest beginnings, the business grew slowly but steadily, ultimately becoming the leader in its field.
As the company grew and prospered, in 1957 Mr. Kersten and his wife Elaine established the Kersten Family Foundation as a vehicle for expressing their desire to support the community in which they lived. The foundation supported educational, medical and cultural institutions in Chicago such as The University of Chicago, Highland Park Hospital, the Ravinia Festival and others. In addition, the foundation supported the Chicago Jewish community, which included establishing the Elaine Kersten Children’s Center in Northbrook, Illinois.
After the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Kersten, the assets remaining in the foundation were disbursed in accordance with their direction. Leadership of the foundation then passed to Steve and Priscilla Kersten. Since that time, the mission of the foundation has evolved in significant ways. In 2007, the name was changed to the Square One Foundation to reflect this evolution. The name signifies our belief that that we are only at the beginning of a journey to make a positive impact on our world.
Values
Tikkun Olam
Hebrew for “repairing the world,” this is a fundamental tenant of our Jewish faith. We affirm social action and social justice as a central focus of our belief and practice of this principle.
Equity
We believe one’s race, gender, economic status and sexual orientation should not determine their economic, social or political opportunities.
Community
We uphold our civic duty to the multiple spheres, identities and causes where we invest our time and resources.
Integrity
We hold ourselves accountable to strive for excellence and to do so with honesty and humility.
Board & Advisors
Board
Priscilla Kersten is President of the Square One Foundation. She currently serves on the board of Debate It Forward and serves on the advisory council of UChicago Charter School. She is immediate past Chair of the UChicago Women’s Board. She has served on several boards over the last several years including Chicago Public Media, The Chicago Children’s Choir, High Jump, Project& and was appointed by President Obama to serve on the United States Holocaust Memorial Council.
Steven Kersten is President and CEO of WaterSaver Faucet Co., a manufacturer of laboratory faucets, valves and related products. He is also CEO of Guardian Equipment Inc. and Lakeview Property Investors. He is a trustee at The University of Chicago and serves on the board of UChicago Impact, the advisory council of the UChicago Urban Education Institute and various city task forces for World Chicago Business.
Advisors
Cynthia Canary is a strategic advisor of Square One Foundation focused on launching the Civic Action Capstone Program. Cynthia has worked with Forefront on its Census Initiative, ADA25 Advancing Leadership public service engagement campaign, the Committee for Economic Development, the Stevenson Center on Democracy, CHANGE Illinois and Independent Maps. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Mikva Challenge National Board, the Coalition for Reform and the NPR Illinois Advisory Board.
Mae Hong is a trusted advisor of the Square One Foundation and a Vice President of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. Mae has a deep knowledge of best practices to create innovative funding programs and initiatives and is committed to speaking and writing on issues, trends and ideas in philanthropy. With nearly twenty years of nonprofit and philanthropy experience, she previously served as Program Director at the Field Foundation of Illinois. Mae currently serves as the board chair of Illinois Humanities.