The Patterson Foundation
/OVERVIEW: This funder supports a wide range of initiatives in many funding areas and prioritizes the Sarasota, Florida, area. Patterson’s source of wealth derives from former Chicago Tribune owner, Joseph Medill.
IP TAKE: It can be a bit difficult for new grant seekers to conceptualize this foundation’s strategy since it has so many initiatives and does not approach grantmaking with funding cycles. The approach seems a bit vague, but Sarasota groups can still get in touch with the office manager with inquiries.
This is not an accessible or approachable funder. Getting a grant here will likely require networking at high society events disengaged from local groups.
PROFILE: The Patterson Foundation is based in Sarasota, Florida, and makes grants locally. It seeks to strengthen “the efforts of people, organizations, and communities by focusing on issues that address mutual aspirations, foster wide participation, and encourage learning and sharing.” Dorothy Patterson is the foundation’s benefactor; this is a fully endowed charitable entity that was established in perpetuity. However, the foundation’s funds can be traced back to Joseph Medill, who was the great-grandfather of Dorothy’s husband, James J. Patterson. Medill was the owner of the Chicago Tribune in the mid-1800s. The foundation’s trustee is Northern Trust.
Grants for Community Development, Environmental Conservation, Parks and Recreation, Health
Unlike many foundations in the Southeast, Patterson does not invest time in grant cycles or requests for proposals. Instead, it prioritizes collaborations and connecting people and organizations in broad ways. Sarasota and Manatee Counties are regions of interest for this foundation.
There are many different initiatives at this foundation that touch on topics like aging, science, nursing, public parks, bay front conservation and parks, disaster relief, grade-level reading, nonprofit management and leadership, and health safety nets. In fact, this funder typically has around 20 different initiatives at any given time. Grant seekers can visit the website to view current foundation initiatives. This approach with many initiatives has been a staple of Patterson Foundation funding since 2009. It does not give an indication as to when existing initiatives will end, new ones emerge, or priorities shift.
Grants for Disaster Relief and Youth
While this is predominately a local funder, it sometimes likes to make big grants for disaster relief. Recent related grants have gone to earthquake relief in Turkey and Syria, as well as it’s long-time partner, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy.
Important Grant Details:
Once Dorothy Patterson’s estate was settled in 2009, the foundation’s endowment grew to over $200 million. View current financial data here. Unfortunately for grant seekers, this foundation does not accept new inquiries for funding. Therefore, grant seekers should not approach this foundation like other funders in the region.
Keep up with the foundation on its blog. Past topics touch on access to healthcare, early literacy, disaster philanthropy, and healthy aging. Patterson also posts press releases on the website to highlight recent grantmaking.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
LINKS:
