About John R Peterson Foundation
The John R Peterson Foundation is a highly focused funder of animal welfare in the San Diego region and surrounding communities, concentrating support on shelters, rescue groups, and spay/neuter programs. It funds both direct service work (rescue, humane society operations, low-cost sterilization) and organizational capacity (IT and grant support), typically through multi-grant relationships with a small number of providers. The foundation’s giving prioritizes practical, outcome-oriented animal health and population-management interventions rather than broad advocacy or research.
Focus Areas
Regional animal shelter operations in San DiegoDog rescue and adoption programs (local rescue groups)Spay/neuter and population-control services (low-cost clinics)Capacity-building for animal nonprofits (IT and grant support)
Who They Fund
shelter animals (companion animals)animal welfare organizations/sheltersrescue and foster networks
Giving Approach
Concentrated, mid-to-large gifts to a small set of repeat grantees; funds split between direct service delivery and operational capacity. Relatively few grants overall but significant dollars per grantee, with strong regional focus.
About John R Peterson Foundation
The John R Peterson Foundation’s recent grantmaking is marked by a concentrated pattern of animal welfare support split between San Diego and Hawaii, with several recurring partners. One of the largest grants on file is $566,041 to Greater Good Charity in Seattle for animal welfare and IT support, showing that the foundation funds both direct animal services and operational capacity. In San Diego, it backed San Diego Humane Society with a $216,433 grant in 2024 and a $150,000 grant in 2023, both listed as animal welfare support. In Hawaii, the foundation has repeatedly funded local providers such as Maui Humane Society, Kauai SPCA, PetFix Spay and Neuter, and Aloha Ilio Rescue, indicating a sustained interest in companion-animal care, shelter support, and sterilization services. The grant list also includes support for Lucky Dog Animal Rescue in Arlington, VA, which fits the foundation’s broader pattern of backing rescue and adoption work alongside veterinary assistance and shelter operations. Across the recent record, the foundation appears to favor practical, service-based grants to organizations already working in animal care and population control.
What John R Peterson Foundation Funds
Veterinary access is a clear priority. The foundation gave $216,433 to San Diego Humane Society for the CARE Veterinary Assistance Partnership, which supports families unable to afford medical care for pets. It also made a $63,000 grant to Kauai SPCA and a $60,528 formula grant to Aloha Ilio Rescue, both tied to animal welfare work in Hawaii. Spay and neuter services are another recurring theme: PetFix Spay and Neuter received $113,980 in 2024 and $20,000 in 2023, showing repeat support for population-control work. Shelter and rescue operations also appear in the record, including $176,000 to Lucky Dog Animal Rescue in Arlington, VA, and support for Maui Humane Society in two separate years. The foundation’s programs consistently connect to direct animal health, community retention, and shelter capacity rather than broad advocacy.
How John R Peterson Foundation Gives
The typical grant size sits at $49,632 at the 25th percentile, $80,050 at the median, and $169,500 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also includes both one-time and repeated support, with several organizations appearing in multiple years, including San Diego Humane Society, Maui Humane Society, Kauai SPCA, PetFix Spay and Neuter, and Aloha Ilio Rescue. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Its grantmaking is collaborative and invitation-only: the foundation works with selected grantee and partner organizations rather than accepting unsolicited proposals. Annual grants totaled $1,819,183, with a regional geographic scope.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$984K
Total Assets
$25M
Total Revenue
$728K
Total Expenses
$1.2M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $50K and $170K, with a median of $80K.
25th Percentile
$50K
Median
$80K
75th Percentile
$170K
Geographic Reach
Regional4 states funded
About 14% of grants go to recipients in HI.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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