ALLEVIATING THE CHALLENGES OF PERSISTENT POVERTY
Launched in 2006, Specialty Family Foundation invests in innovators, visionaries, and leaders who are working to address the most challenging and urgent issues that contribute to persistent poverty across LA County. By focusing our philanthropic endeavors on the core areas of Catholic education, housing, and substance use treatment and intervention, we’re ensuring our investments have the biggest impact for the most vulnerable.
MULTIPLE GENERATIONS, COMMITTED TO
MAKING AN IMPACT
Alleviating poverty’s conditions remains at the center of who we are as a family. Across three generations, our mantra is to “go big or go home” on the issues that matter. Fueled by our passion and commitment, we are not afraid to take big risks as we collaborate with our partners on behalf of the marginalized populations they serve.
We believe that families can be a transformational force in confronting poverty. This belief was instilled by our founders, Dr. James B. and Mrs. Joan C. Peter. Today, Jim and Joan’s children and grandchildren continue to move our mission forward while honoring our founders’ core values of faith, family, and a fearless approach to philanthropy.
36531300
IN PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENTS
21000000
INVESTED IN CATHOLIC EDUCATION
2715800
INVESTED IN HOUSING & POVERTY INTERVENTION PROGRAMS
5371500
INVESTED IN SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT & INTERVENTION PROGRAMS
OUR THEORY OF CHANGE
Ending persistent poverty in our communities requires deep and meaningful change at every level. See how our vision creates a transformational chain reaction that directly impacts lives.
A LEGACY BUILT ON BOLD ACTION
Founders Jim and Joan Peter were born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska by parents that were a part of the Greatest Generation. This experience, along with their deep Catholic faith, shaped their lifelong values and passion for helping other families find pathways out of poverty. Entrepreneurial as well as philanthropic, Jim and Joan were not afraid to take bold risks in order to create the biggest impact.
“It was inspiring to see my father’s passion for so many different things, and his impatience, his eagerness to say, ‘Let’s look for solutions.’ He knew there were answers to problems that some people would say are intractable.”
DIVERSE EXPERIENCE WITH A SHARED VISION
Inspired by Jim and Joan Peter’s example and legacy, the team at Specialty Family Foundation brings a diverse range of experiences, passions, and perspectives to our work. We take a collaborative approach to propel our mission forward for a bigger, bolder, progressive approach to addressing poverty.
IMPACT IN ACTION
The investments we’re making into innovative systemic change, capacity-building, and individual lives are generating a measurable impact. View our Impact Reports and other documents here.
“My grandparents chose to make this a family foundation because they wanted their work to live on. They believed that it was our family’s duty to carry on this mission.”