Griffith Observatory Foundation
To support and promote griffith observatory as a home for science literacy, education, and public astronomy through resource development and advocacy in partnership with the community.
Griffith Observatory Foundation at a glance
In short: Griffith Observatory Foundation gave $853K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $853K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $852,653
- -23.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $852,653
- -23.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $852,653
- Total assets
- $2,408,739
- -11.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Griffith Observatory Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks ($853K).
Grant Size Distribution
2 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $500K–1M range: 1 grant of 2 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $853K (2025) to $1.1M (2024). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $853K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks Los Angeles, CA | Provide critical financial, technical, and programmatic support to the griffith observatory, ensuring it remains a world-class institution. | $852,653 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,408,739 | $2,034,630 | $2,354,667 | $852,653 | 1 | $88,102 |
| 2024 | $2,706,486 | $1,876,983 | $2,740,296 | $1,120,964 | 1 | $116,442 |
| 2023 | $3,508,059 | $3,665,677 | $2,442,842 | — | — | $41,996 |
| 2022 | $2,279,624 | $1,729,095 | $1,648,453 | — | — | $2,460 |
| 2021 | $2,601,941 | $2,113,210 | $1,144,353 | — | — | $90 |
| 2020 | $1,634,635 | $993,493 | $1,825,639 | — | — | $146 |
About Griffith Observatory Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Griffith Observatory Foundation is a public charity focused on Science & Technology, based in Los Angeles, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $2.4M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $853K. Net investment income was $88K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Griffith Observatory Foundation is led by Elizabeth Greenway, Executive Director on the 2025 filing; 3 of 21 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Elizabeth Greenway
Executive Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$118K (2025)
Danish Khan
President
Board Member → Treasurer, 2022
Treasurer → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Benjamin Roudenis
Director of Information Technology
Technology Systems Administrator → Director of Information Technology, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$115K (2022) → $130K (2025)
Troy Powers
Program Production Engineer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$101K (2025)
Alan Kaye
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andre Bormanis
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles Wilmot
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christina Del Villar
Board Member
Board Member → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Primes
Treasurer
Chair of the Board → Assistant Treasurer, 2023
Assistant Treasurer → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ethan Eller
Board Member
Treasurer → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eve Haberfield
Vice President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Grady Smith
Board Member
President → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
McKinley Tennyson
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rich Semler
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Terri Bloomgarden
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tricia Nelson
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vicke Selk
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Irfan Furniturewala
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jordan Sternlieb
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Samira Sohail
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shana Barghouti
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Ann Marie Bedtke (2020–2024) — Executive Director
- Former: Julie Lacouture (2024) — Interim Executive Director
- Former: Melanie Flavin (2024) — Director of Development
- Former: Lowell H. Orren (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Patricia Casado (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Arnold Seidel (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Leslie Zador (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: George Christopher Laib (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Chris Laib (2020) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $130K, to Benjamin Roudenis (Director of Information Technology). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Griffith Observatory Foundation
How much does Griffith Observatory Foundation give each year?
Griffith Observatory Foundation gave $853K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.1M across 1 grant.
How large is Griffith Observatory Foundation?
Griffith Observatory Foundation reported $2.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.0M.
What is Griffith Observatory Foundation?
Griffith Observatory Foundation is a public charity focused on Science & Technology, based in Los Angeles, CA. It holds $2.4M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Griffith Observatory Foundation operate?
Griffith Observatory Foundation has awarded grants in California.
What is Griffith Observatory Foundation's EIN?
Griffith Observatory Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-3374645. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 2, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 4, 2026)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Griffith Observatory Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from Griffith Observatory Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Griffith Observatory Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?