Jon Francis Foundation

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

• 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. 
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Developed robust processes and procedures for searching for missing individuals, emphasizing collaboration between families, law enforcement, and search and rescue professionals.
  
  
• 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. 
  
  
• We have shed light on the challenging and emotional journey of grief and loss recovery.

“It’s not what we gather, but rather what we scatter that defines our life.” – Jon Francis

The Issues

The United States has what may be the world's highest number of missing persons.  In 2021, Missing and Unidentified Person Files show 521,705 missing in the U.S. according to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). Moreover, 93,718 of those people remained actively missing at the start of 2022.   

Typically searching for a missing loved one in the U.S. is a local community issue. Local law enforcement responsible for search and rescue (SAR) is often inadequately prepared, trained, funded and equipped.

Improving how we search in Indian Country

Although American Indian women and girls make up just 1% of the state’s population … 8% of all murdered women and girls in Minnesota were American Indian… And in any given month, from 2012 to 2020, 27 to 54 American Indian women and girls in Minnesota were missing.

We actively worked with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety in collaboration with the newly formed Minnesota Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office (MMIR) to create processes and procedures for tribal nation missing person searches.

Navaeh Kingbird, a 15 year old native American girl was reported missing in October 2021 in Bemidji, Minnesota, which provided in-field experience and training. In 2023, JFF organized a concerted, official search along with law enforcement, professional SAR resources and supported by 170 community volunteers and tribal members to search for Navaeh.  Navaeh still hasn't been found despite clothing evidence .  

Research shows that Indigenous relatives don't always receive an effective or just response from the system when they have gone missing or died under suspicious circumstances," said MMIR Office Director Juliet Rudie. “Every person deserves the same swift and effective response regardless of their race or other characteristics.

Your support and generosity helps the Jon Francis Foundation (JFF) make a national impact, be financially stable and educate and improve missing persons procedures and practices across the U.S. At the same time, we continue to support families and our community in honor of Jon’s life, ministry, and memory.  Thank you! 

Your gift is tax-deductible and greatly appreciated.