The Oliver Patten Family Foundation is a community service organization named for our oldest known ancestor, Oliver Patten.  Oliver Patten, 1847-1927, was born in Abbeville, South Carolina, where he lived and worked as a slave/farmer on an Abbeville Plantation until early 1863. In the early part of 1863, Oliver relocated to Edgefield, South Carolina, where he lived until his death.

The Foundation was formed after 45 years of annual family gatherings. We aspire to uphold the legacy of Oliver Patten through instruments that will have a positive impact in communities across the nation.

Membership to the Oliver Patten Family Foundation is open to the public.  We hope to attract new members outside the organization, who would offer additional perspectives when decisions are being made for our future endeavors and challenges.

The Oliver Patten Foundation Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

 The Oliver Patten Family Student Assistance Program

The Patten family has always put great emphasis on education. With education at the forefront of our minds, we initiated a scholarship fund, “The Oliver Patten Family Student Assistance Program”. The intent of this program is to provide financial assistance to selected students with the transition into their freshman year at an institution of higher learning.

The applications for membership and student assistance are open to the public. The competitive based award is a one-time only allotment.  The goal of the foundation is to target high schools in lower to middle income areas. The guidance departments of targeted high schools will be provided with the necessary information to pass along to students as a tool to encourage students to apply.