Our Approach

The world moves at the speed of change, and change happens at the speed of trust. The Patterson Foundation believes that philanthropy strengthens the efforts of people, organizations, and communities. Strong communities thrive in the face of adversity and work together to achieve shared aspirations. 

Connecting is at the heart of how we work and everything we do. The Patterson Foundation's staff and consultants would be delighted to make a presentation about the foundation and its initiatives at one of your organization's upcoming meetings or events. Please fill out the Speaker Request Form, and we will contact you within two business days of receiving your completed form.

How We Work

Rather than having grant cycles or requests for proposal, we invest in strengthening communities. Support through the thoughtful use of assets takes time and intention. That is why we focus on helping people engage with each other, providing expertise, encouraging learning, and sharing promising practices.

Importance of Alignment

While everything collaborators do requires trust, The Patterson Foundation has learned that the alignment of five characteristics — leadership, willingness, readiness, capacity, and culture — is also critical to preparedness and, ultimately, success.

Watch President and CEO, Debra Jacobs, explain The Patterson Foundation's approach