Robert Chinn Foundation
Robert Chinn Foundation is a private foundation, based in Pasadena, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $841K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $75K. Net investment income was $41K.
Robert Chinn Foundation at a glance
In short: Robert Chinn Foundation gave $75K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $75K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $75,000
- -91.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- -50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $75,000
- -82.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $75,000
- Total assets
- $841,163
- -4.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Robert Chinn Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Asian Hall of Fame ($75K).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1 grant of 5 (20%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Robert Chinn Foundation gives
- Giving fell 80% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 274% 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 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $75K (2024) to $1.0M (2022). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $75K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Asian Hall of Fame Pasadena, CA | Asian Hall of Fame Legacy Preservation Program | $75,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Robert Chinn 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 | $841,163 | $53,894 | $128,692 | $75,000 | 1 | $114,408 | $40,568 | $41,685 |
| 2023 | $876,185 | $266,391 | $1,162,798 | $870,000 | 2 | $1,135,005 | $247,797 | $65,883 |
| 2022 | $1,917,375 | $385,622 | $1,564,092 | $1,046,449 | 1 | $1,538,577 | $348,357 | $132,332 |
| 2021 | $2,837,129 | $445,295 | $1,194,929 | $370,699 | 1 | $1,157,377 | $365,838 | $204,121 |
| 2020 | $3,586,763 | $414,495 | $989,588 | — | — | — | $313,667 | $212,462 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert Chinn Foundation reported a distributable amount of $42K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Robert Chinn Foundation is led by Maki Hsieh, Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2020; none of the 8 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Maki Hsieh
Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$184K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Aaron Olson
President
Board Member → President, 2021
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen Wong
Chairman
President → Chairman, 2021
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Nicholas
Director
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jitesh Saraiya
Director
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Letitia Fong
Vice President
Assistant Treasurer → Vice President, 2021
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Taylor Shimizu
Secretary
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leah Long
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Bill Hsu (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Hui Tian (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Judith Fong (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Stephanie Garrett (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Sue Taylor (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Tim Lee (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Elizabeth Gessels (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Jim Reed (2020) — Chairman
- Former: Wei Gao (2020) — Vice President
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $90K, to Maki Hsieh (Chief Executive Officer).
Frequently asked questions about Robert Chinn Foundation
How much does Robert Chinn Foundation give each year?
Robert Chinn Foundation gave $75K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $870K across 2 grants.
How large is Robert Chinn Foundation?
Robert Chinn Foundation reported $841K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $114K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $42K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
Where does Robert Chinn Foundation operate?
Robert Chinn Foundation has awarded grants in California, Washington.
What is Robert Chinn Foundation's EIN?
Robert Chinn Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1364167. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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 Robert Chinn Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in California
Heron Oaks Foundation
Cincinnati, OH
Heron Oaks Foundation’s 2025 final filing says it has wound down, made final distributions to public charities, and reported no grants. In 2024 it gave $607,240 across 17 grants, with listed recipients in Washington, Michigan, and Illinois; the information does not establish a broader geographic focus. It gave only to preselected organizations and did not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
—
Grants
17
Total Given
$607K
Liberty Mutual Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
Liberty Mutual Foundation funds basic needs such as food and shelter, education and workforce development, and climate and community infrastructure, including homelessness and community preparedness programs. Its 2024 grants had a median of $35,000, and most funding supports organizations or programs serving the Boston area, though it also gives elsewhere. It accepts unsolicited online requests on a rolling basis, with no submission deadlines.
Assets
$46.1M
Grants
706
Total Given
$50.6M
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Kansas City, MO
The foundation funds college access and completion, workforce and career development, entrepreneurship, and related efforts to improve economic mobility, with a primary focus on Kansas City and support for regional and national work. Its 2024 grants had a median of $75,000; it accepts requests through its online portal and says it does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$2.5B
Grants
364
Total Given
$95.0M
The Alan J Hirschfield Family
Jackson, WY
The foundation funds organizations in areas including food security, education, cancer research, and literary arts, with most of its 2025 giving going to Wyoming and smaller amounts to California, Washington, and other states. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,500 to $1,106,500, with a median of $10,000. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.5M
Grants
16
Total Given
$1.3M
Equity in Education Coalition
Seattle, WA
The Equity in Education Coalition funds education equity and digital access, including digital navigation, early learning, school funding, and community-led education and workforce programs. Its 2023 grants ranged from $7,500 to $1 million, with a median of $52,000, and all went to Washington recipients. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.7M
Grants
23
Total Given
$3.1M
The Kirkpatrick Family Foundation Co Kathleen M Pierce - Trustee
Seattle, WA
Assets
—
Grants
1
Total Given
$1.2M
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 Robert Chinn 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.
Robert Chinn Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?