The
history of the Fund dates back to September 15, 1921 when Articles of
Association were originally drawn for the purpose of creating the Alice Dickson
Cudahy Clinic which would provide free of charge to all dependent members of any
family of an employee of the Cudahy Brothers Company any needed medical
attention and education in matters relating to child welfare, social hygiene and
domestic science. (Click on the image to the right to see
a full size version.)
The operation of the Clinic commenced August 1, 1923 with a contribution of money by Michael F. Cudahy in the amount of $19,290.77.
The name of the Association was changed on August 22, 1935 to The Michael F. Cudahy Fund when the Articles were also amended to broaden the scope of its philanthropy. In addition to its original purposes the Fund included among its scope of activities a more general assistance in the relief of poverty and care of the sick by giving financial support to appropriate organizations engaged in philanthropic work. Other objectives were the physical, intellectual, spiritual and social welfare of children; care of the aged and the sick; promotion of education and scientific research of religion and other social, benevolent and humanitarian works.
On September 29, 1943, at the suggestion of Michael F. Cudahy, the name of the Fund was changed to Patrick and Anna M. Cudahy Fund to honor the memory of his parents.
On February 17, 1949 the Associates of the Patrick and Anna M. Cudahy Fund voted that the Fund be incorporated under the laws of Wisconsin, to continue and carry on the objectives of the Association as presently organized and operated and that one or more of the Associates be authorized to join with others in making and filing the Articles of Incorporation and in perfecting the organization of such corporation.
Since the incorporation of the Patrick and Anna M. Cudahy Fund this foundation has continued its philanthropic work on an ever increasingly large scale, both in funds available and in the continuation of numerous charitable and educational endeavors.