Four Mounds Foundation

The Four Mounds Foundation was founded as a non-profit organization [501(c)3] in 1987 as a means for managing and stewarding a generous gift of property willed to the City of Dubuque from the estate of Elizabeth Burden upon her passing in 1982. The Burden family had a vision for the 60 acres of scenic river view property they called their family home—that it might be preserved for the public good and utilized for educational purposes. The Four Mounds Foundation, established by the community and Burden family members, exists to perpetuate that vision through the preservation of the property’s natural resources, the restoration of its historically significant buildings and the operation of its vocational youth at-risk program. We make Four Mounds and its services available to the public for educational purposes in a variety of high-impact ways. At Four Mounds we operate our multi-faceted Housing Education and Rehabilitation Training (HEART) youth and adult workforce training programs; open our site to the public as a park 365 days/year; operate our Inn & Conference Center; offer organic community gardens; and house a phenomenal Challenge Ropes Course. In the community, we run the successful Winter Farmers’ Market.

At Four Mounds, we enrich our community through a diverse array of programs and initiatives, including the HEART Program for youth development, the Winter Farmers' Market, the adventurous and educational Adventure Day Camp, stewardship of the Historic Gentleman's Farm, thriving Community Gardens, the charming Four Mounds Inn B&B, and the ongoing preservation and protection of 100 scenic acres along the Mississippi River.