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The Philanthropy 50: Americans Who Gave the Most in 2008
Dorothy Clarke Patterson
Rank: 10
Total amount committed in 2008: $225-million
Location: Sarasota, Florida
Source of wealth: Family wealth
Donor's background: Ms. Patterson was the widow of James J. Patterson, a vice president and assistant managing editor of The Daily News, a New York newspaper founded by Mr. Patterson's father, Capt. Joseph Medill Patterson, and Col. Robert R. McCormick. Captain Patterson's father and Colonel McCormick were cousins and also co-published the Chicago Tribune newspaper.
Ms. Patterson, who died in 2007 at age 85, bequeathed approximately $225-million to the Patterson Foundation, in Sarasota, Fla., which she established in 1997 with $2-million. Most of the bequest money is from Tribune Company stock.
Although the foundation has typically supported charities focused on social-service causes, as well as educational, literary, religious, and scientific organizations, Debra M. Jacobs, president of the foundation, said Ms. Patterson did not earmark her bequest for any specific grants or causes. Payment from the estate will be completed this year, and Ms. Jacobs said she and other foundation officials have started working to pinpoint the grant maker's mission, and are not accepting grant proposals until they have finished that process.
In the fiscal year ending in 2007, the foundation made grants of $30,000 to $80,000 apiece to several Sarasota groups including Cardinal Mooney High School, the Goodwill Foundation, and Incarnation Catholic School. That same year, the foundation also awarded a grant to Healthy Lifestyle Choices, in New Orleans, and in 2008 gave the Sarasota chapter of the American Red Cross a $100,000 grant for the group's Disaster Relief Fund.
About These Data
The giving figures listed for each individual are based on donations announced to date by the donors or their beneficiaries. In cases of bequests, most of the figures are estimates because the wills have not been settled. For news of gift announcements in 2009, visit the America's Top Donors database.
If you know about a recent gift of $1-million or more that should be added to this directory, please send a message to gifts@philanthropy.com.