Established in 2003, the John and Carolyn Peterson Foundation has funded over 53 organizations making contributions annually exceeding $400,000.  John and Carolyn Peterson were benefactors of many worthwhile organizations while living in Madison Wisconsin, with personal donations to the Chazen Art Museum, the University of Wisconsin and many other Madison organizations.  

 

At its inception, the foundation maintained a strong presence in the Madison community.  In recent years, after the passing of Mr. Peterson, the foundation has focused on the communities where the remaining directors reside, Charleston SC., St. Louis Mo., Asheville NC., Boulder CO. Both John and Carolyn instilled in their children a sense of community and giving, and that sense has been passed on to their adult children.  

 

While the directors do allocate gifts from the foundation to organizations that they are involved with, the main focus of the Foundation continues to provide funding to organizations involved in community art programs.