The Peterson Family Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Excelsior, MN EIN: 14-1983671

The Peterson Family Foundation is a private foundation, based in Excelsior, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2023. In 2023, it awarded 1 grant totaling $1.2M. Net investment income was $80K.

The Peterson Family Foundation at a glance

In short: The Peterson Family Foundation gave $1.2M across 1 grant in 2023 (avg $1.2M), mostly in Minnesota. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2023)
$1,223,021
+3287.9% vs 2022
Grants made (2023)
1
-97.0% vs 2022
Average grant
$1,223,021
+111699.7% vs 2022
Median grant
$1,223,021
Primary geography
Minnesota (100% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated September 2026.

Who The Peterson Family Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top recipient in 2023

The Minneapolis Foundation: $1.2MThe Minneapolis Foundation$1.2M

The largest 2023 recipient was The Minneapolis Foundation ($1.2M).

Grant Size Distribution

36 grants across all recorded years

35<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M1$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 35 grants of 36 (97%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

19states

Share of the 2023 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.

Cities

ExcelsiorMinneapolisAlpharettaBaltimoreBlue AshBlufftonBufordCincinnatiCoon RapidsFresnoGoletaHoustonLebanonLenexaLittletonMiamiMoorevilleMorristownNeenahNew York City

How The Peterson Family Foundation gives

  • In 2023 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$500K$1M$1.5M2 grants2021 33 grants2022 1 grant2023

From 2021 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $35K (2021) to $1.2M (2023). In 2023 it made 1 grant totaling $1.2M.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
The Minneapolis Foundation Minneapolis, MNGeneral Support$1,223,021
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with The Peterson Family Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2023—$1,308,787$1,233,031$1,223,0211$1,227,551$80,402$5,089
2022$250$49,350$69,577$36,10033$36,100—$359
2021$19,477$137,094$117,620$35,2002$35,200——

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Peterson Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

The Peterson Family Foundation is led by Kristina Elise Whittaker, President since 2023 (on filings since 2022); none of the 3 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.

Officers on the 2023 filing

  • Kristina Elise Whittaker

    President

    Vice President → President, 2023

    On filings since 2022

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Brian J. Peterson

    Former President

    Ceopresident → CEO & President, 2022

    CEO & President → Former President, 2023

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jon Peterson

    Treasurer

    On filings since 2022

    0 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (1)
  • Former: Elise Whittaker (2021) — Vice President

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Frequently asked questions about The Peterson Family Foundation

How much does The Peterson Family Foundation give each year?

The Peterson Family Foundation gave $1.2M across 1 grant in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $36K across 33 grants.

Where does The Peterson Family Foundation operate?

The Peterson Family Foundation has awarded grants in California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin.

How much is The Peterson Family Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, The Peterson Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is The Peterson Family Foundation's EIN?

The Peterson Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 14-1983671. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2023.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

Data update history

(1)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2023

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in The Peterson Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Similar funders in Minnesota

The Minneapolis Foundation

Minneapolis, MN

The Minneapolis Foundation funds civic, social, and economic needs, including economic mobility, education, health, the environment, arts, and human services, with most grant dollars going to Minnesota. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. It says no funding opportunities are currently open; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.2B

Grants

1,565

Total Given

$121.7M

Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation

St. Paul, MN

The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation funds community-led work in areas including economic opportunity, health and human services, youth and education, housing, and organizational capacity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,000; listed programs offer up to $50,000 for eligible East Metro work and up to $15,000 for qualifying Minnesota organizations. It accepts applications through specific programs, including rolling application opportunities; the Community Solutions Grant Program serves Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington counties.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.7B

Grants

1,473

Total Given

$107.2M

The Richard M Schulze Family Foundation

Minneapolis, MN

The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation funds education, health care, and human services, including college scholarships, with most support benefiting working- and middle-class families in specified Minnesota and Florida counties; it also makes some national grants. Its 2024 grants had a median of $5,000, though awards ranged from $50 to $10 million. It plans to move to invitation-only grantmaking in 2027; whether it currently accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.

Assets

$218.3M

Grants

1,431

Total Given

$47.9M

Wells Fargo Foundation

Minneapolis, MN

Wells Fargo Foundation funds financial opportunity, affordable housing, small business growth, and some other local community needs across national and eligible local communities. Its 2025 grants ranged from $3,000 to $8 million, with a median of $35,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; eligible organizations may submit a grant interest form to be considered for an invitation.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$8.6M

Grants

1,376

Total Given

$157.4M

C K Blandin Foundation

Grand Rapids, MN

The C K Blandin Foundation funds rural Minnesota projects that build community wealth, improve rural places, strengthen small communities, and support capacity-building, with a primary focus on the Grand Rapids area. Rural grants are typically $25,000–$150,000; it does not accept unsolicited requests, offering opportunities through invitations or competitive RFPs.

Assets

$506.3M

Grants

931

Total Given

$15.8M

The McKnight Foundation

Minneapolis, MN

The McKnight Foundation funds arts and culture, resilient food systems, Midwest climate and energy, neuroscience, and equitable communities, with Minnesota a primary focus for several programs and work also extending beyond the state. Its 2024 grants had a median of $100,000; prospective applicants should first discuss fit with program staff, who provide proposal instructions if the work can be considered.

Assets

$2.7B

Grants

790

Total Given

$145.9M

More similar funders

More Funders in Minnesota

The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open

Figures come from The Peterson Family Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.

The Peterson Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?