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Pedersen Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.9M
Grant Range
$100K - $1.4M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,865,000 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-only grants)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Estimated $100,000 - $1,373,000 (based on 5 awards totaling $6.9M in 2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Multi-state (CA, CO, DC, FL, MD, TN, VA), with emphasis on Washington DC metro area

Contact Details

Foundation Name: The Pedersen Family Foundation (also known as The Pedersen Foundation) EIN: 47-1188416 Location: McLean/Tysons/Herndon, VA Executive Director: Kara Hourihan

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or provide public contact information for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Pedersen Family Foundation was established following the 2022 sale of ManTech International, a strategic defense and cybersecurity company founded by George and Marilyn Pedersen in 1968. With assets of approximately $229.7 million, the foundation contributed $6.9 million in grants during 2023 across 5 awards. The foundation's mission is to relieve human suffering by supporting organizations that provide food, shelter, and clothing, while also helping individuals and children lead happy and productive lives. The foundation has two primary focus areas: supporting veterans and military-connected families, and advancing neuroaesthetics and brain health research. George and Marilyn Pedersen became among the largest benefactors in Johns Hopkins Medicine history through their transformative support for brain science research. George Pedersen passed away in May 2023 at age 87, leaving a legacy of service to those who served the nation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications. Grants are awarded to preselected charitable organizations.

Known Grant Examples:

  • Syracuse University's D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF): $750,000 (2025) for research and career preparation in AI and cybersecurity for intelligence community alumni, veterans, and military families
  • Johns Hopkins Medicine Pedersen Brain Science Institute: Major transformative gifts supporting brain science research, neuroaesthetics, and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases
  • Saint Francis Neighborhood Center: Recipient of foundation support (amount not disclosed)

Priority Areas

1. Veterans and Military-Connected Families

  • Post-service employment and career transition support
  • Career preparation and training in AI and cybersecurity
  • Programs serving intelligence community alumni
  • Veterans' health and wellness, including traumatic brain injury and PTSD support
  • Empowering veterans to successfully transfer skills to civilian careers

2. Brain Science and Neuroaesthetics

  • Neurodegenerative disease research (Alzheimer's, ALS)
  • Drug translation and therapeutic development
  • Neuroaesthetics research exploring connections between aesthetics, environment, and brain health
  • Programs supporting brain health, well-being, and resiliency

3. Basic Human Needs

  • Food, shelter, and clothing for those in need
  • Programs helping individuals and children lead productive lives
  • Organizations relieving human suffering

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the foundation:

  • Does not accept unsolicited applications
  • Only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations
  • Focuses exclusively on the priority areas above

Governance and Leadership

Board Members:

  • Marilyn Pedersen: President and Director (Founder)
  • George J. Pedersen: Director (Founder, deceased May 2023)
  • All board members serve without compensation

Staff:

  • Kara Hourihan: Executive Director. Hourihan transitioned from brand strategy and interior design to founding the foundation's operations. She stated: "The Pedersen Family built their livelihood on the mission of serving the country, and because veterans made up a large number of their employees, they wanted to ensure that veterans have opportunities to successfully transfer skills and feel empowered and ready for what's next."

About the Founders: George Pedersen founded ManTech International in 1968 with "a dream and a single contract" to supply modeling and simulation services to the U.S. Navy. Over 50+ years, ManTech grew into a multibillion-dollar company serving the intelligence community and multiple federal departments. George and Marilyn built their business and philanthropy around serving those who serve the nation, with veterans comprising a large portion of ManTech employees.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the foundation's leadership, typically to organizations with which they have established relationships or that align closely with their mission focus areas.

Organizations cannot submit applications unless specifically invited by the foundation.

Getting on Their Radar

The Pedersen Family Foundation identifies grantees through:

1. Existing Relationships and Networks

  • Organizations connected to the ManTech International legacy and veteran employee community
  • Institutions where the Pedersen family has longstanding philanthropic relationships (e.g., Johns Hopkins Medicine)

2. Mission-Aligned Focus Areas

  • Organizations serving veterans, particularly intelligence community alumni transitioning to civilian careers
  • Brain science research institutions working on traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and neurodegenerative diseases
  • Programs in the Washington DC metropolitan area serving basic human needs

3. Executive Director Kara Hourihan's Approach According to public statements, Hourihan and the foundation look for "innovative and impactful nonprofits" that demonstrate meaningful outcomes in their focus areas, particularly organizations that "help veterans re-establish a sense of community."

Note: Given the foundation's invitation-only model, organizations should not send unsolicited proposals. Any engagement would need to come through established networks in the veterans/military, brain science research, or DC-area social services sectors.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As an invitation-only foundation making a small number of large grants (5 awards in 2023), decisions appear to be made on a discretionary basis rather than fixed cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable for public applications, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the invitation-only model.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not accept public applications, their documented grant-making reveals clear priorities:

1. Connection to Military and Intelligence Community Service

  • The foundation's Executive Director explicitly stated the foundation exists because "veterans made up a large number of their [ManTech] employees" and the Pedersens "wanted to ensure that veterans have opportunities to successfully transfer skills and feel empowered and ready for what's next."
  • The $750,000 IVMF grant specifically targeted intelligence community alumni and veterans transitioning to AI/cybersecurity careers—directly related to ManTech's business focus.

2. Evidence of Impact and Innovation

  • Executive Director Kara Hourihan noted that IVMF "has risen to the top in helping veterans, especially in re-establishing a sense of community."
  • The foundation's stated goal is to "make measurable improvements in the causes we care about by deploying resources in a targeted way."

3. Strategic Focus Areas Alignment The foundation explicitly supports:

  • Veterans' career transitions, particularly in technology fields (AI, cybersecurity)
  • Brain health research and treatment (traumatic brain injury, PTSD, neurodegenerative diseases)
  • Basic human needs (food, shelter, clothing)

4. Geographic Proximity to Washington DC Metro Area Based in McLean, VA, with significant focus on DC-area organizations, though they do support multi-state initiatives.

5. Leading with Empathy According to foundation materials, they "will lead with empathy as they consider the recipients of their grants first and foremost" and focus on "tactical decision making."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is an invitation-only funder: Do not submit unsolicited proposals. The foundation explicitly states it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
  • Focus on veterans and intelligence community: The strongest alignment is with organizations serving military veterans transitioning to civilian careers, particularly in AI, cybersecurity, and technology fields that mirror ManTech's business focus.
  • Large grants to fewer organizations: With only 5 grants totaling $6.9M in 2023, the average grant size is $1.4M—this foundation makes substantial investments in select organizations rather than broad distribution.
  • Demonstrable impact required: The foundation emphasizes "measurable improvements" and supports organizations that have "risen to the top" in their fields.
  • Brain health research is a major priority: The Pedersen family's transformative gifts to Johns Hopkins Medicine demonstrate a deep commitment to brain science, neuroaesthetics, and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Geographic focus on DC area: While multi-state, there's a clear emphasis on the Washington DC metropolitan region where the foundation is based and ManTech operated.
  • Legacy of service: The foundation's mission is deeply rooted in the Pedersens' business philosophy of "serving the country" and supporting those who serve the nation—this values alignment is critical.

References

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