Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation
The Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation is a private foundation based in San Francisco, California. Its 2024 filing reports grants to organizations working in health research and care, food access, poverty-related programs, and support for people with brain or spinal cord injuries.
Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation at a glance
In short: Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation gave $6.7M across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $950K), top state California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,650,000
- +130.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- +40.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $950,000
- +64.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $600,000
- Total assets
- $67,645,218
- +6.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (42% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 193809, San Francisco, CA 94119-3809
Phone: (415) 284-8697
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Cleveland Clinic Foundation ($2.0M). Together the top 7 received $6.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
24 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 12 grants of 24 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, reported grant dollars went to recipients in California (42%), Ohio (30%), New York (19%), Florida (8%), and Colorado (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation gives
- Giving grew 636% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 195% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $500K (2020) to $6.7M (2024). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $6.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Cleveland, OH | To conduct a clinical study exploring the relationship between lp(a) and pad, and research the impact of elevated lp(a) on aortic valves. | $2,000,000 |
| Uc San Diego Foundation La Jolla, CA | To launch and expand a registry and biobank of individuals tested for lp(a), establish an lp(a) clinical trial coordinating center, and initiate opportunities to apply for additional funding. | $2,000,000 |
| Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research New York City, NY | General Operating Support | $1,250,000 |
| Foodbank of Santa Barbara County Santa Barbara, CA | To Support the Building Readiness Capital Campaign. | $600,000 |
| The Familial Hypercholesterolemia Foundation Fernandina Beach, FL | To improve public awareness of lp(a), provide support to individuals with elevated lp(a), and build relationships with diverse communities. | $500,000 |
| United Way of the Bay Area San Francisco, CA | To support poverty-fighting programs to help end the cycle of poverty by ensuring access to basic needs and building systems and pathways to career and employment opportunities. | $200,000 |
| Craig Hospital Foundation Englewood, CO | To Support the Craig Hospital Neurobehavioral Program. | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $67,645,218 | $10,962,653 | $6,798,051 | $6,650,000 | 7 | $6,701,270 | $6,962,653 | $3,444,366 |
| 2023 | $63,452,853 | $4,220,113 | $2,970,993 | $2,887,356 | 5 | $2,938,459 | $2,340,593 | $3,402,051 |
| 2022 | $62,218,181 | $20,745,655 | $1,416,446 | $1,111,440 | 6 | $1,151,624 | $18,984,434 | $2,898,875 |
| 2021 | $42,704,276 | $5,055,821 | $985,323 | $903,128 | 3 | $942,083 | $3,055,046 | $3,295,416 |
| 2020 | $38,460,621 | $2,764,490 | $566,112 | $500,000 | 3 | — | $1,764,490 | $2,550,764 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No foundation mission statement is provided in the available information. Its 2024 grants included support for clinical research and programs related to Lp(a), a food bank’s capital campaign, poverty-fighting programs, Parkinson’s research, and a hospital neurobehavioral program.
The grantees describe their own work in varied terms. UC San Diego Foundation says it raises private support for the university’s research, teaching, and public service mission. Cleveland Clinic Foundation describes its work as caring for life, researching for health, and educating those who serve. Foodbank of Santa Barbara County says it works to end hunger and improve community health through food distribution and education. United Way of the Bay Area says it works to address the root causes of poverty and build pathways to prosperity. Craig Hospital Foundation says it raises funds for Craig Hospital, including for patient assistance, programs, equipment, and research related to spinal cord and brain injuries.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported seven grants totaling $6,650,000. Grant amounts ranged from $100,000 to $2,000,000, with a median of $600,000. The grants included:
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Susan P. Bechtel as president and director; Riley P. Bechtel as vice-president and director; Amy Dunphy as secretary/treasurer; and Brendan P. Bechtel, Darren H. Bechtel, and Katherine E. Thompson as directors.
Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation is led by Susan P. Bechtel, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Susan P. Bechtel
President & Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Brendan P. Bechtel
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Darren H. Bechtel
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Katherine E. Thompson
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Riley P. Bechtel
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Amy Dunphy
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation
How much does Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation give each year?
Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation gave $6.7M across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.9M across 5 grants.
What is Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation's typical grant size?
Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $600,000, and its average grant was $950,000, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation give grants?
Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation's top state is California, with 42% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Ohio (30%) and New York (19%).
Does Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 14% of Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation's largest grantees?
Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Cleveland Clinic Foundation ($2,000,000), Uc San Diego Foundation ($2,000,000) and Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research ($1,250,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 79% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation?
Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation reported $67.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $6.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided in the available information. Its 2024 grants included support for clinical research and programs related to Lp(a), a food bank’s capital campaign, poverty-fighting programs, Parkinson’s research, and a hospital neurobehavioral program. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation's EIN?
Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-2416417. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in California
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation supports nonprofits through discretionary and donor-directed grants, with discretionary priorities including education, health, housing and immigration, alongside other areas such as arts, civic engagement and economic opportunity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and its work is focused on Los Angeles County; prospective discretionary applicants are asked to contact the relevant program officer before submitting a letter of intent.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, democracy, gender equity, racial justice, and efforts to strengthen nonprofits and philanthropy, with work spanning the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, and locations including East and West Africa and Mexico. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $150,000, though amounts varied widely. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, but sometimes invites proposals through open processes.
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
Marin Community Foundation
Novato, CA
Marin Community Foundation funds work in affordable housing and homelessness, community resilience and power, as well as social services, education, arts and conservation, with a focus on marginalized Marin County residents and some broader U.S. and international grantmaking. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,573
Total Given
$186.1M
Direct Relief
Santa Barbara, CA
Direct Relief supports healthcare providers serving people affected by poverty or emergencies, including community health centers, clinics, and grassroots organizations, with medicines, supplies, and funding for health access and equity. In 2025, its grants had a median award of about $65,000, and its work spans all 50 U.S. states and countries around the world; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,367
Total Given
$337.4M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Riley & Susan Bechtel 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.
Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?