Gregor G. Peterson Prize in Venture Philanthropy Grows to $300,000 and Announces Six Finalists in 2026

The family of Gregor G. Peterson made the decision earlier this year to increase the size of its signature Prize in Venture Philanthropy from $250,000 to $300,000. This Prize is a meaningful grant given over three years to help launch a new nonprofit or initiative.

 

In pursuit of its mission to identify and support U.S.-based nonprofit organizations with bold ideas that enhance the human condition while honoring the touchstone concepts of liberty, equality, and justice, this year’s Prize finalists demonstrate effectiveness and leadership in their respective focus areas.

 

In partnership with the Peterson family, Hoplin Jackson Charitable Advisors thoroughly studied all nominees which included more candidates than any previous year. Nominations came from a variety of sources, including public office holders, CEOs, nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs, board members, volunteers, and peers.

 

We are thrilled to announce the following six new nonprofits or projects as the finalists for the 8th annual Gregor G. Peterson Prize in Venture Philanthropy:

 

 

American Security Foundation, Washington, D.C.

Led by Meredith Potter, American Security Foundation envisions a world where America leads in artificial intelligence (AI) development to advance human flourishing and ensure that AI is ethical and pro-human. With focus areas in innovation, security, and ethics, ASFoundation aims to fill a gap in the AI ecosystem by giving parents, families, free market actors, religious communities, and others a voice in calling out its dangers and biases.

 

Uncornered, Kansas City, Missouri

Uncornered doesn’t seek to reduce violence. It strives to end street violence. Traditionally, violence intervention approaches focus on law enforcement. Uncornered takes a different approach: working directly with the individuals and social networks most closely connected to gun violence. By providing these individuals with jobs and services, Uncornered brings peace to inner cities and to the lives of those who have been dominated by crime, incarceration, and economic exclusion. Uncornered is led by the duo of Michelle Caldeira and Mark Culliton.

 

Lexandria, Atlanta, Georgia

Spearheaded by Richard Lorenc, veteran of civics education, Lexandria envisions a future in which American principles (liberty, justice, equality of opportunity, constitutional government, and free enterprise) inspire informed, engaged citizens. Lexandria is developing a one-stop shop for top-quality digital textbooks, videos, quizzes, and activity guides in civics, economics, and history. Its content includes both materials it commissions which are unique to its platform and materials from mission-aligned partners.

 

One Generation, Arlington, Virginia

One Generation (One Gen) educates, equips, and empowers the next generation of American leaders for public service. Pulled from the famous Reagan line, “freedom is a fragile thing and it’s never more than one generation away from extinction,” One Gen aims to develop leaders who govern well—those who are knowledgeable, grounded in policy, and can defend their positions under pressure. One Gen will launch its official website and activities in January 2027 and is led by Adam Pennings and Macon Boane.

 

Principled Business, Hales Corners, Wisconsin

Principled Business, under the helm of Alexander McCobin, recruits and equips business leaders to be comfortable speaking about capitalism and to put free-enterprise principles into practice within their companies and in the public square. Their executive training, peer network building, regional gatherings, and Ambassador program help leaders strengthen their companies around principles such as value creation, individual agency, accountability, and human dignity.

 

Sharing Excess, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Led by CEO Evan Ehlers, Sharing Excess takes fresh produce that would otherwise be thrown away and donates it to people in need through a network of food banks and community partners. The organization has evolved from rescuing excess food from grocery stores and restaurants to its current mega-operation: working directly with the nation’s wholesale produce markets across the United States to collect donated food and deliver it to food banks best positioned to get it in the hands of the people who need it most.

 

The winner of this year’s Gregor G. Peterson Prize in Venture Philanthropy will be announced live on stage in December 2026 at the ALEC States & Nation Policy Summit in Washington, D.C.

 

Creating a prize is a philanthropic tool that brings added visibility to the winners and generates momentum at a critical moment in a nonprofit’s development. Hoplin Jackson’s team is available to assist donors in designing, managing, and promoting philanthropic prizes to advance their charitable visions.

Nicole Hoplin