Petters Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,743,592 (2024)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: N/A (no public application process)
• Grant Range: Varies by trustee discretion
• Assets: $39,182,822
• Geographic Focus: Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi (primary focus on Virginia Peninsula and Southeast)

Contact Details

Address: Newport News, VA

Note: The foundation does not have a public website or publicly listed contact information. The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Overview

The Petters Family Foundation was established in 2012 as a private family foundation based in Newport News, Virginia. Founded by C. Michael Petters (former President and CEO of Huntington Ingalls Industries, a major military shipbuilding company) and his wife Nancy B. Petters, the foundation focuses on community and economic development and human services. With assets of approximately $39.2 million and annual giving of over $2.7 million, the foundation takes a strategic approach to philanthropy by making contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations. In 2024, the foundation made 22 grants across multiple states, with a significant focus on the Virginia Peninsula region and communities in the Southeast where Huntington Ingalls Industries has operations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with set application cycles. Instead, it makes discretionary grants to preselected organizations aligned with its mission.

Application Method: Invitation only - the foundation proactively identifies organizations to support

Priority Areas

• Community and Economic Development: Supporting initiatives that strengthen local communities and economic opportunities
• Human Services: Programs that provide essential services to individuals and families in need
• Education and Workforce Development: Reflecting C. Michael Petters' advocacy for investing in education, particularly pre-K education and workforce development
• Emergency Relief: The foundation has demonstrated responsiveness to community crises, such as its $1 million commitment to United Way of the Virginia Peninsula's COVID-19 Emergency Fund in 2020

Geographic Focus

The foundation operates primarily in:

• Virginia: Newport News, Hampton, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Richmond, Williamsburg
• Maryland: Annapolis
• Georgia: Atlanta
• Florida: Tampa
• Louisiana: New Orleans
• Mississippi: Tougaloo

These locations largely align with communities where Huntington Ingalls Industries has operations or significant presence.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests, which effectively means they do not fund organizations they have not already identified or established relationships with.

Governance and Leadership

Nancy B. Petters - President
C. Michael Petters - Secretary/Treasurer
Former President and CEO of Huntington Ingalls Industries (2011-2021), now Executive Vice Chairman of the Board. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and William & Mary's MBA program, Petters has been recognized as "a leading voice in the business community on matters of ethics, pre-K education and workforce development." He serves on the boards of the US Naval Academy Foundation, the National Bureau of Asian Research, and advisory boards for the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation and Naval Historical Foundation.

Sarah Fletcher - Vice President
Caroline G. Sauer - Vice President

All key personnel serve without compensation, as is common with family foundations. The foundation has been tax-exempt since January 2012.

C. Michael Petters has stated: "Since becoming chief executive of the shipbuilder in 2011, he has used his pulpit to advocate for investing in people and communities."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Petters Family Foundation makes contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grants are awarded at the discretion of the foundation's trustees, who identify organizations aligned with the foundation's mission and values. Organizations are typically approached by the foundation rather than applying on their own initiative.

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, they have demonstrated support for organizations in specific areas:

Geographic Connection: The foundation shows clear preference for organizations in communities where Huntington Ingalls Industries has operations, particularly the Virginia Peninsula (Newport News, Hampton, Norfolk) and other shipbuilding communities.

Known Partnership: The foundation has been documented as supporting:

• United Way of the Virginia Peninsula (committed $1 million for COVID-19 emergency relief)
• Peake Childhood Center (recognized as a foundation partner)
• Organizations focused on education, workforce development, and human services in their geographic areas

Industry and Leadership Networks: Given C. Michael Petters' extensive involvement in maritime, defense, and educational organizations, connections through these networks may be relevant. His board memberships include the US Naval Academy Foundation, National Bureau of Asian Research, Dolphin Scholarship Foundation, and Naval Historical Foundation.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion without a public application timeline.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept open applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's invitation-only approach, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, understanding what attracts the foundation's attention is valuable:

1. Geographic Alignment: Organizations in the foundation's target communities (particularly Virginia Peninsula and other Huntington Ingalls Industries locations) appear most likely to receive support.

2. Mission Alignment: Focus on community and economic development, human services, education, and workforce development aligns with the foundation's stated priorities and C. Michael Petters' documented advocacy areas.

3. Community Impact: The foundation's $1 million commitment to COVID-19 emergency relief demonstrates willingness to support large-scale community needs with significant impact potential.

4. Established Organizations: As a foundation that preselects recipients, they likely favor organizations with demonstrated track records and established presence in the community.

5. Connection to Workforce and Education: Given Petters' advocacy for "investing in people and communities" and specific interest in pre-K education and workforce development, organizations in these areas may align well with foundation values.

6. Network Connections: Organizations connected to the maritime, defense, or naval communities, or those within the professional networks of the foundation's leadership, may have increased visibility.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: Do not submit unsolicited proposals to this foundation - they only make grants to preselected organizations
• Geographic Focus: The foundation concentrates giving in Virginia Peninsula and communities with Huntington Ingalls Industries presence
• Substantial Grants: With $2.7 million in annual giving distributed among approximately 22 grants, average grant size is significant (approximately $120,000+)
• Family Foundation Approach: Decisions are made by family trustees who take a personal, discretionary approach to grantmaking
• Values-Driven: Foundation reflects C. Michael Petters' documented commitment to education, workforce development, community investment, and ethical business practices
• Community Responsiveness: The foundation has shown capacity to make large, responsive grants during community crises (e.g., $1M for COVID-19 relief)
• Focus on Long-Term Impact: Foundation priorities around economic development and workforce development suggest interest in sustainable, systemic change rather than short-term relief alone

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Petters Family Foundation Form 990-PF filings (2024). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/452323642. Accessed January 2026.

2. Instrumentl - Petters Family Foundation 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/petters-family-foundation. Accessed January 2026.

3. Cause IQ - Petters Family Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/petters-family-foundation,452323642/. Accessed January 2026.

4. Grantmakers.io - Petters Family Foundation Profile. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/452323642-petters-family-foundation/. Accessed January 2026.

5. United Way of Southwest Alabama - "Petters Family Foundation Supports United Way of the Virginia Peninsula's Emergency Fund for COVID-19 Recovery." https://uwswa.org/pettersfamilyfoundationsupport/. Accessed January 2026.

6. WAVY.com - "Newport News nonprofit donates $1 million to local United Way emergency fund" (April 2020). Accessed January 2026.

7. Insigniam - "Shipbuilding's Lessons on Leadership, from Huntington Ingalls CEO Mike Petters." https://insigniam.com/shipbuilding-lessons-huntington-ingalls/. Accessed January 2026.

8. C. Michael Petters - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._Michael_Petters. Accessed January 2026.

9. William & Mary Board of Visitors - C. Michael Petters MBA '93 Profile. https://www.wm.edu/about/administration/bov/members/petters-michael/. Accessed January 2026.

10. Peake Childhood Center - Petters Family Foundation Partnership. https://peakecc.org/partners/petters-family-foundation/. Accessed January 2026.