Ty Eschenbaum
Foundation
PROVIDING A BEACON OF LIGHT
and promise of hope
to those who need it most
The Ty Eschenbaum Foundation was established in 2011 and has since made a profound impact on countless lives. The foundation was inspired by Ty's own journey as a leukemia survivor, and from the very beginning, it has been dedicated to providing scholarships for youth cancer survivors. These efforts honor Ty’s personal battle with leukemia and the years of treatment and challenges he and his family faced in the years that followed.
In 2019, after the sudden loss of Autumn, one of Ty's very favorite people, the foundation expanded its mission to support Make-A-Wish children in her memory, as children were her greatest passion—and they were just as fond of her.
Following the tragic passing of Ty's brother Calder in 2021, the foundation embraced a third pillar—supporting missionary causes in honor of his brother’s deep faith and unwavering work ethic. Our missionary pillar directly impacts South Dakotans doing God’s work both in the U.S. and globally.
Our mission is simple: to be a beacon of light and bring a promise of hope to those who need it most. We walk by faith, supporting and serving others as they navigate their own journeys through life’s challenges.
MORE
THAN A
FOUNDATION
Ty's Story
Ty looked forward to coming back to school his sophomore year, being the quarterback, the point guard, and just getting to enjoy being a kid. What started as abnormal fatigue and a routine checkup resulted in a diagnosis no one wants or expects to hear. Leukemia. You hear about cancer, you most likely know someone who has battled it, but it was numbing for Ty to be told it was now his time to fight it.
Ty’s family farm was a huge part of his family’s life, the toll he could feel it was taking on the ones who surrounded him, the ones that he loved was heavy. As his older brother stepped up to care for the farm- Ty decided when, not if, he beat this, he would find a way to give back to his family and other families affected by childhood cancer.
In 2011, the Ty Eschenbaum Foundation was created to support youth cancer survivors and their families and has continued to do so for over a decade. When Ty met the love of his life, Autumn, he found someone who shared his passions of giving back and children.
“This is what it’s supposed to be like. Things were perfect.”
Autumn passed away in the spring of 2019, unexpectedly. Her spirit and light continued to shine through the pain of Ty and Autumn’s friends and family. Through the foundation and Autumn’s memorial, Eschenbaum is adopting a Make-a-Wish family every year in Autumn’s honor, for… forever.
Tragedy struck again in the fall of 2021, when Ty’s younger brother Calder, whom he was very close with, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 28. Calder’s deep rooted faith and outspoken passion for living life with purpose, intention, and a focus on what really matters has prompted the Eschenbaum family to establish an endowment within the Foundation to perpetually support missionary work and spreading God’s promise to all people.
Ever since he was in high school, Ty has always shared his message of hope, faith, and getting back-up each time that life knocks you down. His speeches have taken him to schools, churches, and youth events across South Dakota and across the country. Ty has an unwavering attitude, passion for life, and belief that each one of us has a divine responsibility to use our God given talents to help one another throughout our life’s journey.
To Earn The Gift.