OUR MISSION
The Jon Francis Foundation (JFF) is dedicated to saving lives through wilderness safety and education. JFF supports families who have suffered the loss of a loved one in the wilderness with knowledge and search resources.
OUR IMPACT
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Dedicated to enhancing the safety and knowledge of wilderness enthusiasts. Our FREE online educational materials empower campers, climbers, hikers, and hunters and provide them with essential preparation skills.
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Our advocacy led to the permanent improvement of Minnesota law enforcement practices in missing person cases through the passing of Brandon's Law. This legislation serves as a model policy, setting the standard for reporting missing persons and establishing a crucial precedent for other states to follow.
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Developed robust processes and procedures for searching for missing individuals, emphasizing collaboration between families, law enforcement, and search and rescue professionals.
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Our commitment to helping families in distress has resulted in JFF's participation in over 40 missing persons searches, providing support during times of trauma and uncertainty.
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We have shed light on the challenging and emotional journey of grief and loss recovery.
Wildness Safety Information
Foundation News
16-Jul-2026
20-Mar-2026
When Missing Hiker Cases Go Cold, This Woman Keeps Searching
09-Aug-2025
Winona native disappeared in Yellowstone a year ago. ‘Army’ of searchers won’t give up.
Colette Daigle-Berg, a veteran search dog handler who is partnering with the Jon Francis Foundation to search said: "This my biggest challenge yet in terms of remoteness, hazardous terrain and scale, Eagle Peak is a big mountain. The handlers, dogs and flankers were specifically chosen for their mountaineering skills and fitness levels,” according to Daigle-Berg.
17-Oct-2024
The Dad of a Missing Yellowstone Hiker Vows to Keep Searching, Even as the Odds Grow Thin
20-Mar-2023
KARE 11 News - Jon Francis Foundation works to bring those missing in the wilderness home again
15-Jul-2016
10 years after his son’s death, Stillwater father nurtures his legacy
13-Nov-2013
Jon Francis Foundation featured on Communities that KARE March 20, 2023
Bringing Jon Home
& Grief Travelers
David Francis, Jon Francis Foundation Executive Director, has written two excellent books. You can purchase them on Amazon or write David at jonfrancisfoundation@gmail.com. Proceeds from book sales benefit the Jon Francis Foundation.
OUR LOGO IS A CAIRN
A cairn is a manmade pile of stones, often in a conical form. They may mark the summit of a mountain or a memorial. Placed at regular intervals, they indicate a path across barren terrain or climbing routes.
The Jon Francis Foundation (JFF), like a cairn, provides knowledge and acts as a guide to others who find themselves unwilling travelers on an unfamiliar path.