Patterson Family Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $6.8 million (2024)
Success Rate: Not available (invitation only)
Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
Grant Range: $5,000 - $5,000,000
Geographic Focus: National (US), with focus on education

Contact Details

Address: 500 5th Ave., Suite 2700, New York, NY 10110
Phone: (212) 764-6455
Website: Not available
Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Patterson Family Foundation (EIN: 356975288) is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2013 and based in New York City. With total assets of approximately $48.8 million as of 2024, the foundation distributes approximately $6.8 million annually in charitable disbursements. The foundation is led by James B. Patterson (Manager), Susan Solie Patterson (Trustee), and Jack Patterson (Trustee), with none of the officers receiving compensation. The foundation appears to be connected to bestselling author James Patterson, who has committed over $200 million to various educational and literacy initiatives throughout his philanthropic career. The foundation has grown significantly since its inception, from $2.8 million in assets in 2012 to nearly $49 million in 2024.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation primarily supports education through established scholarship programs at universities:

James Patterson Teacher Education Scholarships: $7,500 per student at 35+ colleges and universities nationwide
College Scholarships: $5,000-$7,500 per year for students demonstrating academic excellence and passion for reading
Major Institutional Grants: Up to $5 million for university teacher education programs

Priority Areas

Teacher education and training
Literacy and reading programs
Educational scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students
Support for libraries and independent bookstores
Professional development for educators

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation appears to focus exclusively on education and literacy initiatives, and does not accept unsolicited applications.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is managed by:

James B. Patterson - Manager
Susan Solie Patterson - Trustee (UW-Madison alumna, '79 BS EDU, '82 MFA EDU)
Jack Patterson - Trustee

The foundation operates with minimal overhead, with trustees serving without compensation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, making grants through pre-established partnerships with educational institutions and literacy organizations. Universities interested in establishing scholarship programs must be invited to participate.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's giving patterns, potential strategies include:

Universities can establish connections through their development offices, particularly institutions with strong teacher education programs
The foundation has shown preference for institutions where the Patterson family has personal connections (Manhattan College, University of Wisconsin, Vanderbilt)
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have successfully received support, suggesting diversity in education is a priority

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed due to the invitation-only nature of the foundation.

Success Rates

Not applicable as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only status.

Application Success Factors

As this is an invitation-only foundation, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, based on funding patterns:

The foundation prioritizes established educational institutions with strong teacher preparation programs
Multi-year partnerships are common, suggesting the foundation values long-term relationships
Programs that demonstrate clear impact on literacy and reading education receive priority
Geographic diversity is valued, with scholarships distributed across 35+ institutions nationwide

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications
Focus is exclusively on education, particularly teacher preparation and literacy
The foundation works through established partnerships with universities
Scholarship programs are the primary funding vehicle
Building institutional relationships may be more effective than traditional grant applications
The foundation's growth trajectory suggests expanding giving capacity

References

ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Patterson Family Foundation (EIN 356975288), accessed January 2025
Inside Philanthropy - "James Patterson" profile, accessed January 2025
James Patterson official website - Scholarships page, accessed January 2025
Various university announcements regarding Patterson scholarships (Towson University, Manhattan University, Appalachian State University), 2024-2025
Charity Navigator profile for EIN 356975288, accessed January 2025