In 1957, Inger Berg and Jens Bruun married in Denmark and immigrated to North America, eventually settling in Bellevue, Washington, in 1961. They founded the Scan Design furniture chain in the late 1960s, introducing mid-century modern design to the Pacific Northwest.
Their commitment to cultural exchange began in 1971 through a partnership with the American Scandinavian Foundation, hosting 147 Danish trainees in their home and business over three decades. To cement this legacy, Jens established the Scan Design Foundation (SDF) to support Danish American relations, scientific research, and the arts.
Since 2002, SDF has expanded significantly, funding scholarships at UW-Madison, UW-Seattle, UO-Eugene, and Portland State University, alongside cultural landmarks like the “NW Trolls” installation. Today, SDF continues the Bruuns’ vision of bridging Danish and American communities through sustainability and exchange.
