THE
GREGOR G. PETERSON PRIZE IN VENTURE PHILANTHROPY
An annual prize for a trailblazing early stage non-profit
THE PRIZE
Our Mission
The Gregor G. Peterson Prize in Venture Philanthropy is awarded annually to a trailblazing start-up in the non-profit sector. Our mission is to identify founders with bold ideas; to help bring these ideas to fruition, and to partner in building sustainable, life-changing organizations.
The Gregor G. Peterson Prize in Venture Philanthropy offers a one-time grant of $250,000 payable over three years. Rules and restrictions apply.
ABOUT
The Gregor G. Peterson Prize in Venture Philanthropy was launched in 2019 by the Peterson Family to honor Greg Peterson’s core principles in business and to advance his long-standing legacy of philanthropy.
Gregor G. Peterson
Greg Peterson was a pioneer in the field of venture capital. In 1961, the San Francisco native co-founded Sutter Hill Co., one of the first venture capital firms on the West Coast. A marine infantry officer, a rugby player in his undergraduate years at Stanford, a lecturer at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business and later university trustee and two-term director of the Stanford Management Co.—Greg Peterson appreciated the importance of teamwork and delighted in serving as a mentor to hardworking entrepreneurs.
Our Values
We appreciate a big idea—an idea that’s attainable, scalable, and meaningful in its ultimate fulfillment; one that reinforces the ideals of liberty, equality, and justice.
But more important, in the leaders we support, we value commitment, integrity, honesty, and common sense.
Our Culture
Building a successful non-profit can be a long, arduous road—especially in the early years. We offer our Prize winners a bridge to the future. In return for this bridge, we expect open, honest communication, and we require accountability.
RECOGNIZING LEADERSHIP
EMBRACING BOLD IDEAS
WINNERS AND FINALISTS
2023 WINNER
Children's Entrepreneur Market
Lehi, Utah
Connor Boyack, President
Lynee Fife, Director
2022 WINNER
Do No Harm
Greater Washington, D.C. area
Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, Founder and Board Chair
Kristina Rasmussen, Exec. Director
2021 WINNER
Recidiviz
San Francisco, CA
Clementine Jacoby, Exec. Director
2020 WINNER
Center for American Liberty
Leesburg, VA
Harmeet Dhillon, Founder
Mark Trammell, Exec. Director
2019 WINNER
The Center for the Rights of Abused Children
(formerly Gen Justice)
Phoenix, AZ
Darcy Olsen, Founder and CEO
FINALISTS
2023
American Accountability Foundation, virtual
Dissident Project, Washington, D.C.
Independent Women's Network, Winchester, VA
Iron Light Labs, Chicago, IL
Love Your School, Phoenix, AZ
2022
American Studio, christopherrufo.com.
FreeWorld, San Jose, CA
Lasagna Love, Williamstown, MA
Parents Defending Education, Arlington, VA
2021
America First Legal, Washington, D.C.
Better Together, Naples, FL
BLEXIT Foundation, Washington, D.C.
Vertex Partnership Academies, New York, NY
2020
The Independence Fund, Charlotte, NC
FREOPP.org, Austin, TX
Sunshine Enterprises, Chicago, IL
Let Grow, New York, NY
2019
Censorship Exposed, a project of Young America's Foundation
Publius Lex, San Francisco
State Policy Network (SPN) LaunchPad, Arlington, VA
Lincoln Studio, Silicon Valley, CA
Libertas Institute, Lehi, UT
RULES
Type
Must be a 501(c)3 in good standing
Age
Only non-profits or their newly launched projects which incorporated or launched in the past five years are eligible
Geographic
No limitations
Vision
Innovation (a great idea!), leadership, and mission will be prioritized
Deadline for Entry
Nominations for calendar year 2024 are closed. Nominations for the 2025 Gregor G. Peterson Prize in Venture Philanthropy must be received by July 1, 2025.
Process
A non-profit can be nominated by a fan or may self-identify as a worthy candidate for consideration. Prize applicants understand and agree that the evaluation process may include telephone interviews and one or more on-site visits by members of the Peterson Family and/or its agents. Applicants agree to make available to the Peterson Family and/or its agents any business plans, financial information, and other information deemed necessary to evaluate the operations of their non-profit.
The Peterson Family and its agents will not be parties to any form of non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
Installment Grants
The Gregor G. Peterson Prize in Venture Philanthropy will be awarded annually. An amount up to $250,000 will be paid out to one winner in three equal installments over three years, as follows:
Winners and the Peterson Family and/or its agents will mutually agree on one or more business milestones that shall trigger the payment of grant installments two and three. Winner’s failure to meet agreed-upon milestones, in the sole opinion of the judges, or any failure to provide follow-up information to the satisfaction of the Peterson Family and/or its agents, may result in revocation of Prize installments two and three.
Decisions of the judges are final.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
I’D LIKE TO APPLY FOR THE 2025 PRIZE. WHERE DO I START?
To be considered for the 2025 Gregor G. Peterson Prize, please go to CONTACT US and fill out the form by July 1, 2025.
IS THERE AN APPLICATION FEE?
No, there is no fee.
WHAT IF MY NON-PROFIT IS OVER FIVE YEARS OLD? AM I STILL ELIGIBLE?
Sorry, this Prize is intended to help early stage non-profits. Non-profits five years or older are ineligible.
WE HAVE A CONCEPT FOR A NEW INITIATIVE WITHIN OUR ESTABLISHED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, BUT WE’RE MORE THAN FIVE YEARS OLD. ARE WE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PRIZE?
Yes, your new initiative or newly launched project makes your non-profit eligible for Prize consideration.
IF I WIN, ARE THERE RESTRICTIONS ON HOW THESE FUNDS CAN BE USED?
No, the Prize grant comes without restrictions.
WHO ARE THE JUDGES AND WHAT ARE THEY LOOKING FOR?
The judges are the direct descendants and descendants' spouses of Gregor G. Peterson—eleven family members in all. They’re looking for leaders of high integrity with bold ideas and exciting visions for their new non-profits.
DOES THE PETERSON FAMILY EXPECT A BOARD SEAT IN RETURN FOR THE PRIZE?
No, there is no expectation of a board seat.
WHO ARE THE PETERSON FAMILY’S DESIGNATED “AGENTS”?
The Peterson Family has engaged the charitable advisory firm Hoplin Jackson to help evaluate nominees and to perform due diligence on our applicants. Once you submit your form, you can expect to hear from them first.
WHEN AND WHERE WILL THE WINNER BE ANNOUNCED, AND AM I EXPECTED TO ATTEND?
The 2025 winner will be announced in December 2025. The date and location are yet to be determined. And yes, if you're the winner, we’d love for you to attend! We plan to make it a memorable celebration. (If you're a finalist, we'll give you advance notice so you can save the date on your calendar.)
DO FINALISTS RECEIVE ANY PRIZE MONEY? IF I’M A FINALIST ONE YEAR, CAN I APPLY FOR A PRIZE THE NEXT YEAR?
Finalists receive no prize money, but they’re certainly encouraged to apply in a subsequent year, provided they’re still under our five-year-old limit. Your good progress might make you an even stronger candidate for next year’s Prize!
TEAM
in no particular order
EMIL JUBOORI
Product Manager, VideoAmp
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NICOLE HOPLIN
President, Hoplin Jackson Charitable Advisors
SHELLEY CORTOPASSI
Executive Assistant, Peterson Family Office
DR. LUCAS BRAND
Endodontist
TERESA PETERSON
ERP Consultant, Red Deer Systems
MEGAN PETERSON
Registered Nurse
MACKENZIE JUBOORI
Social Media Director, LocalFoodBuzz.com
KATIE BRAND
Learning Experience Designer
ERIC PETERSON
Indie Author/Publisher, Huckleberry House
CHRISTOPHER PETERSON
Entrepreneur and Private Investor
CAROLINE PETERSON
Operations Manager, Amgen
CARLA PETERSON
Homemaker
JOHN JACKSON
Executive Vice President, Hoplin Jackson Charitable Advisors
CONTACT US
The Gregor G. Peterson Prize in Venture Philanthropy
P.O. Box 4450, Incline Village, NV 89450