Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Patten Family Foundation

The Patten Family Foundation is a private family foundation established by Harry S. Patten, a prominent American businessman and land development executive. The foundation focuses its philanthropy on three core areas: health, education, and financial literacy. As a discretionary grantmaker, it provides funding to selected nonprofit organizations and causes aligned with the founder's personal charitable interests.

The foundation concentrates its giving on organizations that address educational opportunities, healthcare access, and financial education. Primary beneficiaries include educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and youth development organizations. The foundation has demonstrated particular interest in programs that serve young people and provide them with skills for future success.

Key beneficiaries of the foundation's generosity include: Junior Achievement of South Florida, where the foundation funded the JA Finance Park component serving over 50,000 eighth-grade students annually with financial literacy education; Massachusetts General Hospital, where funding supported the cancer floor in the Lunder building; the University of New Hampshire, where grants supported the Peter T. Paul Entrepreneurship Center and student recruitment initiatives; and the Horatio Alger Association, through support for scholarship programs and mentorship of award recipients.

The foundation operates as a discretionary giver rather than a formal program-based funder. Grants are made at the discretion of the founder and family based on identified needs and alignment with the foundation's mission areas. The foundation maintains involvement with recipient organizations beyond simply providing financial support, often including active mentorship and engagement.