Strength

We invest in

the strength of families

Boldness

We invest in

the boldness of innovation

We invest in

the strength of families

We invest in

the strength of families

Boldness

We invest in

visionary leadership

We invest in

the strength of families

We invest in

the strength of families

Partnership

We invest in

the power of partnership

We invest in

the strength of families

We invest in

the strength of families

Photo: Ron Eshel

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Specialty Family Foundation seeks to alleviate the conditions that lead to persistent poverty

Our Impact

Our strategic portfolio includes philanthropic investments in high-risk, high-impact, and large-scale multi-year initiatives; organizational capacity building; and programs that transform individual lives across LA County.

Igniting Change

We seek lasting systematic change through bold investments that make the biggest difference for the most vulnerable.

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Accelerating Progress

We seek to maximize institutional impact by helping visionary leaders expand their organization’s capacity.

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Empowering Individuals

We invest in programs that empower individuals to reach their potential and realize their dreams.

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Our Legacy

Faith, Family, and Giving Back

Part of the Greatest Generation and deeply rooted in their Catholic faith, Jim and Joan Peter dedicated their lives to empowering families as they overcome the barriers of poverty. Their entrepreneurial approach to philanthropy lives on in Specialty Family Foundation

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Our Focus

We focus our philanthropic engagements on the core areas of Catholic education, housing, and substance use treatment and intervention. 

Catholic Education

Catholic schools transform lives. Without access to a quality education, children who grow up in poverty are more like to become adults living in poverty.

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Housing

We believe that housing is a human right. A stable, safe home is essential to supporting the family structure, meeting the needs of the whole child, and breaking free of poverty.

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Substance Use Treatment & Intervention

We identify and fund evidence-based programs working to prevent and treat substance use that contributes to intergenerational poverty.

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Our Belief

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

Specialty Family Foundation has recognized that systemic racism is in and of itself one of poverty’s greatest enabling conditions. To maximize our impact and avoid contributing to the effects of system racism, SFF is layering an expert and informed DEI perspective to our work and our culture.

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Our Collaborations

Reimagining Catholic Schools

In 2021 SFF entered into a multi-year partnership with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to fundamentally change the organizational structure of the Department of Catholic Schools (DCS) to systemically improve the business, academic and leadership support structure for over 270 elementary and high schools that comprise the system of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese.

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Building the Movement to House LA

With a $25,000 grant SFF joins Abundant Housing LA in building the movement to house LA.

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Building Organizational Capacity and Competency in DEI

In May of 2022, Specialty Family Foundation awarded Art Trek, Inc. a $60,000 multi-year Accelerating Progress grant in support of their efforts to establish organizational competency in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) – teaching staff how to approach all lessons, teacher trainings and student encounters with an eye on DEI.

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Verbum Dei Intern: Mekhi Makey

SFF is incredibly proud of Mekhi Mackey, our intern from Cristo Rey Network school, Verbum Dei. Mekhi is headed to HBCU Jackson State University as a freshman in the fall. We will miss him but are so glad for all he has accomplished.

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“As the founders of Specialty Family Foundation, I believe my parents would want to be most remembered for their faith and passion for giving back.”

—Deb Estes,
Board Chairperson