Holly Peterson Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,098,500 (2023)
• Success Rate: N/A (invite-only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Median $11,000; Average $25,000
• Geographic Focus: National (primarily NY, CA, CO, CT, TX, FL)

Contact Details

• Phone: 212-542-9243
• Address: 399 Park Avenue, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10022
• Website: No public website
• Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Holly Peterson Foundation is a private independent foundation established by Holly Peterson, daughter of the late Peter G. Peterson (co-founder of The Blackstone Group) and stepdaughter of Joan Ganz Cooney (co-creator of Sesame Street). With assets of approximately $6.5 million, the foundation distributes over $1 million annually through approximately 40-44 grants per year. As a private family foundation, it operates on an invite-only basis with no public application process, making grants at the discretion of its trustees. Holly Peterson, a New York Times bestselling author and former ABC News producer, serves as the foundation's president and chairwoman, bringing her extensive network and philanthropic experience from serving on numerous prestigious boards including The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York Presbyterian Hospital, and The High Line.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate specific named grant programs but makes discretionary grants averaging $25,000 (median $11,000). All grants are made through trustee discretion and pre-qualified relationships.

Priority Areas

The foundation does not publicly specify particular focus areas, maintaining broad philanthropic interests aligned with the trustees' personal connections and commitments. The foundation's giving appears to span arts and culture, education, health, and human services.

What They Don't Fund

No explicit exclusions are publicly stated; however, as an invite-only foundation, they do not fund unsolicited proposals.

Governance and Leadership

Holly Peterson - Director, Chairwoman, and President (unpaid)

• New York Times bestselling author
• Former ABC News producer and magazine editor
• Board member of The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York Presbyterian Hospital, The Whitney, The New Museum, The Brooklyn Museum, The High Line
• President of the Joan Ganz Cooney & Holly Peterson Fund

Michael A. Peterson - Director and Secretary (unpaid)

• Holly Peterson's brother

Michael Shankman - Treasurer (unpaid)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are made exclusively through trustee discretion and pre-existing relationships. Organizations must be pre-qualified through direct contact with foundation staff before receiving any application materials.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available

Success Rates

Not applicable due to invite-only nature

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invite-only foundation

Application Success Factors

Given the private, invite-only nature of this foundation, traditional application advice does not apply. Success in securing funding depends entirely on:

• Existing relationships with the trustees, particularly Holly Peterson
• Alignment with causes the trustees personally support
• Connection through Holly Peterson's extensive board service and philanthropic network
• Pre-qualification through foundation staff contact

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invite-only foundation with no public application process
• Annual giving has grown significantly from $500,000 (2020) to over $1 million (2023)
• Median grant size of $11,000 suggests support for both smaller and larger organizations
• Holly Peterson's extensive board service suggests interest in arts, culture, healthcare, and urban development
• Geographic distribution shows national reach but concentration in major metropolitan areas
• Organizations already in relationship with the Peterson family or connected through Holly's board service have the best prospects
• The foundation's giving has more than doubled in recent years, indicating expanding philanthropic activity

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Holly Peterson Foundation (EIN: 261607014) - Accessed March 2024
• Foundation Directory Online - Holly Peterson Foundation profile - Accessed March 2024
• Contemporary Art Society - Holly G. Peterson recognition - Accessed March 2024
• Various public records and board membership listings - Accessed March 2024