5th Annual Gregor G. Peterson Prize in Venture Philanthropy Names Six Nonprofit Finalists

The family of Gregor G. Peterson, in partnership with Hoplin Jackson Charitable Advisors, is pleased to announce this year’s finalists for the $250,000 grant, payable over three years. The Prize continues to grow and reach new heights with 90 nonprofits nominated in 2023, a 28% increase over last year. Hoplin Jackson completed due diligence on all 90 nonprofits and reviewed the applications of, and conducted interviews with, semi-finalists.

The following six nonprofits or new projects are the Gregor G. Peterson finalists for 2023:

The winner of this year’s Gregor G. Peterson Prize in Venture Philanthropy will be announced in-person later this year at the ALEC Nation & States Policy Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona. 

You can read more about the finalists and their leaders below.

American Accountability Foundation

The American Accountability Foundation uses nonpartisan opposition research to educate policymakers, the national media, and the public about unelected people and organizations who either directly influence public policy or have the potential to do so (e.g., political nominees, leaders of government and quasi-government agencies, and more recently, corporations).  Its deep dive and real-time research often unearths information about these individuals or groups that casts new light on the suitability of their nominations and/or policy positions.  AAF is led by Tom Jones, a veteran in the research space.

 

Children’s Entrepreneur Market, A Project of Libertas Institute

The Children’s Entrepreneur Market opens the door to a child’s first exposure to entrepreneurship.  Rather than a static lemonade stand where kids set up shop on a little traversed neighborhood street with minimal interaction with customers, the Market partners with well-established and highly-attended local events to provide kids with booths to sell their “products” to scores of shoppers.  This real-life experience creatively accomplishes its broader goal of teaching families about capitalism.  The Market is another pioneering project from state-based think tank Libertas Institute and its leader, Connor Boyack, who is also the author of the popular Tuttle Twins children’s books.

 

Dissident Project, Young Voices

The Dissident Project puts survivors of totalitarian and authoritarian regimes in front of high school audiences to share their real-life stories of torture, hardship, and escape.  By sharing their powerful stories, they aim to instill an appreciation for freedom in younger generations—those who will be responsible for preserving its future.  The Project is a collaboration between founder and speaker Daniel DiMartino and the nonprofit Young Voices, led by Casey Given.  Daniel fled authoritarian Venezuela when he was a child. 

 

Independent Women’s Network

This project of Independent Women’s Forum seeks to build a national network of chapters led by women capable of articulating and defending public policies that affect them and their families.  Unlike other women’s groups, IWN approaches all issues from a free market, limited government perspective.  Specifically, IWN focuses on pocketbook and fairness issues (e.g., women's sports) and avoids divisive social issues and foreign policy.  IWN believes that steering clear from these will allow it to build a diverse membership of millennials, Gen Z, suburban women, political independents, and open-minded liberals. IWN is led by two highly motivated and successful women, Carrie Lukas and Amber Schwartz.

 

Iron Light Labs

Driven by a desire for social change, Iron Light Labs (Labs) specializes in the strategic use of Netflix-quality films, podcasts, marketing campaigns, and other media to tell powerful stories of those hurt by government rules and regulations.  The goal: changing laws to advance freedom-friendly policies.  Through this storytelling content, Labs works to persuade audiences and influence culture through a limited government perspective using unconventional partners and even humor.  Labs is led by CEO and veteran marketing expert Ryan Green and grassroots operator and President Jo Jensen.

 

Love Your School

Love Your School shows parents that public schools are not the only educational option for their children.  It works with families to identify the unique educational needs and abilities of each child and then helps them pair their children with schools that fit those needs best.  The nonprofit also works with families to navigate and access special scholarship programs offering financial assistance such as Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) in school choice states including Arizona and West Virginia. Love Your School is the brainchild of founder Jenny Clark, a mom of five children.

Nicole Hoplin