A dementia living village that will be the first of its kind in the US was given a substantial funding promise that now makes a Spring or Summer of 2026 opening possible. The boost comes from the Black Spring Foundation, Inc., which was begun by Natalie Black Kohler and Herbert Kohler Junior in honor of Natalie’s mother, who lived with dementia and inspired both the foundation, and the donation to LIVASU.
The Sheboygan-based non-profit Dementia Innovations is building the self-contained LIVASU campus of 124 resident-owned homes with a restaurant, theater, grocery store and more on the site off South Business Drive in the Town of Wilson. Groundbreaking is on track for this spring, but progress was operating on faith that a $13.5 million fundraising goal could be met.
That’s where the Black Spring Foundation stepped up to offer a $2-1/4 million dollar contribution structured to be paid over 4 years. The offer stipulates that if Dementia Innovations raises an additional million dollars this year, both 2025 and ‘26 contributions would be available this year, and if another million were raised next year, the 2027 and ‘28 contributions would be paid in 2027. The offer makes a Spring or Summer 2026 date possible for the first homeowners to move in.
Black Spring Foundation representatives David Heck and Nathan Honson said that The Village Center at Livasu will hold naming rights in honor and appreciation of Natalie A. Black, and Herbert V Kohler, and the Kohler Family.
Anyone wishing to contribute to completion of these goals can do so by contacting Dementia Innovations at info@dementiainnovations.
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