Children's Entrepreneur Market Wins 5th Annual Gregor G. Peterson Prize in Venture Philanthropy

The Children’s Entrepreneur Market, a trailblazing nonprofit initiative committed to empowering children through entrepreneurial experiences, was selected as the winner of the 2023 Gregor G. Peterson Prize in Venture Philanthropy. Launched in 2017 by Libertas Institute, a multistate policy solutions lab based in Utah, the Children’s Entrepreneur Market program was selected by the Peterson family from among 90 nominee organizations.

The award was presented on Thursday, November 30, during the American Legislative Exchange Council’s Nation & States Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Libertas Institute’s president, Connor Boyack

“We are deeply honored to be chosen by the Peterson Family for this prestigious award,” said Connor Boyack, president of Libertas Institute. “We hope our work to create young entrepreneurs helps build Greg Peterson’s legacy of promoting entrepreneurship and fighting for a free market.”

After operating in Utah, the Children’s Entrepreneur Market program successfully expanded to six new states in 2023. With the Peterson Prize financial support, the program aims to operate in every state by 2026, with a goal of being in more than 200 metro areas serving half a million children each year.

Children’s Entrepreneur Market Director Lynee Fife

Rather than a lemonade stand on a quiet street corner, the Children’s Entrepreneur Market is a 3-hour farmers market-style event with hundreds of kids all selling a variety of items at once.  The market staff specializes in identifying and securing venues that bring large numbers of a diverse community together where hundreds of authentic interactions are possible. The project is led by Market Director Lynee Fife.

On delivering news of the family’s decision, the Petersons conveyed, “We believe the Children’s Entrepreneur Market can touch and shape a lot of young lives.  The little businessmen and businesswomen joining the Children’s Entrepreneur Markets will learn life-defining lessons about freedom and hard work, and they'll carry these lessons with them throughout their lives.”

The $250,000 prize honors Greg Peterson’s core business principles—including teamwork, innovation, and an entrepreneurial spirit—and applies these values to the nonprofit sector. Peterson was a pioneer in the field of venture capital from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Hoplin Jackson Charitable Advisors coordinated the nomination and evaluation process.