The Lance Family Foundation was founded in December 2006 by the offspring of Harold and Mae Lance.
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While sitting around the kitchen table talking about how they could make a difference in the world, the five Lance children decided to pay tribute to their parents by making an impact in the community that gave them so much after their father had a stroke in 1984. They used some of the values instilled by their parents coupled with the experiences they shared while attending Wayzata High School to establish a scholarship for college bound African American students who attended their alma mater. Although the Lance’s were one of only a handful of African American families residing in Wayzata school district at the time, they were strongly immersed in the community.
All five of the Lance children ( Harold VN Lance II, class of ’85, Adrienne Lance Lucas class of ’86, Derrick I. Lance class of ’89, Jonathan W. Lance class of ’95, Natisha E. Lance class of ‘99) were active participants in high school serving as student athletes, student council members, thespians, and high academic achievers. They were also active in their church community.
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All of the children also went on to receive college degrees attending Dakota State University, Spelman College, St. John's University, and St. Thomas University. Two of the children went on to complete graduate program studies at Ivy League institutions; Harvard University (Masters in Business Administration) and Columbia University (Masters in Journalism).