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The Penates Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.7M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.1M

The Penates Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $737,950 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $100 - $55,000
  • Geographic Focus: Northeastern U.S. (primarily NH, MA, NY)

Contact Details

Address: 5 Batchelder Rd, Seabrook, NH 03874-4402
Phone: (603) 926-5911
Website: None
Note: No public website or online application portal available

Overview

The Penates Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1984 in New Hampshire. Named after the Roman household gods who protected families and their provisions, the foundation is led by major donors Paul M. Montrone and Sandra G. Montrone. With assets of approximately $34.5 million, the foundation has significantly increased its grantmaking activity in recent years, growing from 20 awards in 2021 to 75 awards in 2024. The foundation focuses on supporting arts, education, medical research, and human services across the Northeastern United States, with particular emphasis on New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New York. The foundation operates as an invitation-only grantmaker and does not accept unsolicited proposals.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Penates Foundation operates through a discretionary grantmaking model rather than structured grant programs. Grants are made by invitation only, with the trustees identifying organizations of interest.

  • Grant Range: $100 - $55,000
  • Average Grant: Approximately $10,526
  • Annual Awards: 75 grants in 2024 (up from 53 in 2023)

Priority Areas

Primary Focus Areas:

  • Arts and Culture: Steadily supports arts organizations, performing arts, music, and opera
  • Education: Strong emphasis on higher education, graduate education, and business education; also supports early childhood and K-12 education
  • Medical Research and Health: Particular interest in end-of-life care, hospice services, and medical research
  • Human Services: Family services, shelter and residential care, and community services

Additional Interests:

  • Historical activities and museums
  • Natural resources and environmental causes
  • Christianity and religious organizations
  • International development
  • Civic and community services
  • Public health initiatives

Geographic Focus

  • Primary States: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York
  • Secondary States: Connecticut, Vermont, Virginia, Pennsylvania
  • Overall: Northeastern United States

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, though the foundation's invitation-only approach means they fund organizations already known to the trustees or within their established networks.

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership

Paul M. Montrone, PhD (Director/Major Donor)

  • Former Executive Vice President of Signal Companies, Inc.
  • Former CEO of Fisher Scientific (until 2006)
  • Director of the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health
  • Founder of the National Forum for Health Care Quality Measurement and Reporting
  • Co-founder of the Montrone-Seigel Prize in Biomedical Sciences through FNIH
  • Appointed by President Clinton to the Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry
  • CEO, President and Chairman of Perspecta Trust, Liberty Lane Partners, and Latona Associates

Sandra G. Montrone (President/Major Donor)

  • President of Seacoast Hospice
  • President of The Penates Foundation
  • Appointed by President Clinton to the Advisory Committee on the Arts
  • Active in supporting arts, education, and community service

Other Board Members:

  • Angelo M. Montrone (Director)
  • Anthony Dinovi (Director)

Note: Directors serve without compensation

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Penates Foundation operates as an invitation-only grantmaker. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees, who identify and invite organizations to receive funding.

The foundation does not:

  • Accept unsolicited grant proposals
  • Maintain a website for grantseekers
  • Offer an online application portal
  • Publicize application deadlines or cycles

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's connection to Paul and Sandra Montrone's professional networks and interests, organizations may benefit from understanding their specific areas of involvement:

Paul Montrone's Network:

  • Healthcare quality and measurement
  • Medical research institutions (particularly through FNIH connections)
  • Business education and corporate leadership development
  • Scientific and biomedical research

Sandra Montrone's Network:

  • Hospice and end-of-life care organizations
  • Arts organizations (given her Presidential appointment to the Advisory Committee on the Arts)
  • Seacoast New Hampshire community organizations
  • Education institutions

Strategic Connections:

  • Organizations connected to the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health
  • Arts institutions in the Northeastern U.S., particularly NH, MA, and NY
  • Higher education institutions with business or healthcare programs
  • Established cultural institutions with strong boards and community presence

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed due to invitation-only process

Success Rates

Not applicable for public reporting, as the foundation works by invitation only

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, analysis of their grantmaking patterns reveals several key factors that characterize organizations they support:

Geographic Alignment

Organizations in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New York receive priority, reflecting the Montrone family's regional connections and interests.

Established Organizations

The foundation appears to favor well-established institutions with strong track records rather than new or experimental initiatives.

Professional Network Connections

Many grants likely flow through the trustees' extensive professional networks in healthcare, business education, arts administration, and scientific research.

Quality and Excellence

Given Paul Montrone's career focus on healthcare quality measurement and both Montrones' Presidential appointments, the foundation likely values organizations demonstrating measurable excellence and impact.

Areas of Personal Passion

  • Healthcare quality and hospice care (reflecting both Montrones' careers)
  • Higher education and business education (Paul's corporate background)
  • Arts and culture (Sandra's arts committee appointment)
  • Medical and biomedical research (Paul's FNIH leadership)

Financial Stability

With grants ranging from $100 to $55,000 and an average around $10,500, the foundation supports organizations of varying sizes but appears to favor those with demonstrated financial sustainability.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-Only Model: The Penates Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, making traditional grant writing approaches ineffective
  • Network-Driven: Funding decisions appear closely tied to the Montrone family's professional and personal networks in healthcare, business, arts, and education
  • Regional Focus: Strong preference for Northeastern U.S. organizations, especially in NH, MA, and NY
  • Growing Activity: The foundation has significantly increased its grantmaking from 20 awards in 2021 to 75 in 2024, suggesting expanding interests
  • Diverse Portfolio: While focused on arts, education, health, and human services, the foundation supports a wide range of specific causes within these categories
  • Family Foundation Values: The name "Penates" (Roman household gods) suggests emphasis on family, tradition, and stewardship—values likely reflected in funding priorities
  • No Direct Contact Recommended: Organizations should focus on building reputation and networks rather than attempting direct solicitation

References

  1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Penates Foundation (EIN: 22-2536075)

  2. Instrumentl 990 Report - The Penates Foundation

  3. Cause IQ - The Penates Foundation Profile

  4. Inside Philanthropy - Penates Foundation

  5. The Better Angels Society - Paul & Sandra Montrone

  6. Foundation for the National Institutes of Health - Mr. and Mrs. Paul M. Montrone

  7. GuideStar Profile - The Penates Foundation

  8. Grantmakers.io Profile - The Penates Foundation

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