Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute
Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute is a private foundation registered in the United States and based in Orlando, Florida. Established in 2000 in Tennessee and founded by Pierre Omidyar, the institute is dedicated to the preservation, transmission, and instruction of Persian culture. The organization operates with a volunteer board and develops initiatives that support partnerships with nonprofit organizations and institutions including schools, universities, libraries, and museums.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.3M
+9.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$21K
-97.3% YoY
Grant Count
2
-33.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$10K
-96.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute supports cultural and educational activities that bring to light the richness and diversity of Persian culture. The institute is dedicated to fostering community among Persian people and those interested in Persian cultural heritage, while encouraging intercultural communication with host countries.
Primary activities include:
- Establishing Persian studies programs at major universities
- Awarding fellowships and scholarships for excellence in Persian Studies
- Working with other nonprofits that share the mission in support of Persian culture
- Offering a limited number of individual fellowships to qualified graduate students engaged in doctoral dissertation writing in Persian Studies
- Sponsoring research projects and cultural programs
The institute defines culture broadly to encompass language, literature, philosophy, history, art, music, architecture, cuisine, and other dimensions of Persian heritage.
Grantmaking
Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute does not accept unsolicited proposals. The foundation currently is not accepting inquiries.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The institute funds initiatives across North America, with documented support in the following locations:
States: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Illinois, New York, Washington
Cities: Chicago, Fresno, Honolulu, Irvine, New York, Seattle, Tucson
International: Toronto, Canada; and other institutions abroad
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $3,927,942
- Total Revenues: $174,486
- Total Expenses: $856,638
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Investment Income and Dividends: $130,439
- Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $38,762
- Miscellaneous Revenues: $5,285
Annual Giving:
- Total Giving (2024): $760,000
- Number of Grants: 3
- Median Grant Size: $5,000
- Giving Rate: 19.3% of assets
Tax Status:
- Designated as 501(c)(3)
- Tax-exempt since June 2002
- EIN: 77-0560800
- Classified as Private Foundation (NTEE code T20)
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,289,252 | $3,927,942 | $4,620,859 |
| Revenue | $472,476 | $174,486 | $151,650 |
| Expenses | $124,627 | $856,638 | $2,944,878 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $89,559 | $828,379 | $2,903,243 |
| Net Investment Income | $444,179 | $141,737 | $118,215 |
| Distributable Amount | $279,794 | $274,491 | $338,676 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
26 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Elahe Omidyar Mir-Djalali — President and Treasurer (serves without compensation)
Pierre Omidyar — Vice President and Founder (serves without compensation)
Pierre Omidyar is a businessman and philanthropist who founded eBay in 1995. He and his spouse Pam Omidyar have committed to The Giving Pledge, pledging to give away at least half of their wealth to philanthropy.
All board members work without compensation, reflecting a commitment to the institute's mission.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELAHE OMIDYAR MIR-DJALALI | PRESIDENT & TREASURER | 10 | — |
| PIERRE OMIDYAR | VICE PRESIDENT | 3 | — |
| JAN SCHNEIDER | SECRETARY | 10 | — |
| VIRGINIA HINSHAW | ASSISTANT TREASURER | 5 | — |
| JAMES BICKERTON | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| KAVEH ABHARI | BOARD VICE CHAIR | 10 | — |
| ARYA MIRDJALALI | DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The institute has supported major educational initiatives across multiple universities:
UCLA received $1 million for the Elahé Omidyar Mir-Djalali postdoctoral fellowship in Iranian linguistics
UCLA receives $1 million for Elah\xE9 Omidyar Mir-Djalali postdoctoral ...University of Arizona received $2.5 million to support graduate students and faculty
Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute Supports UArizona Graduate Students andUniversity of California, Irvine received a grant establishing an endowment for doctoral fellowships in Iranian Studies
Grant establishes endowment for doctoral fellowships in Iranian ...University of Maryland received support to establish a Persian Digital Library
Roshan Institute to Establish Persian Digital Library | Maryland TodayUniversity of Toronto received $750,000 in 2024
The institute has awarded fellowships to faculty members, researchers, graduate students, and other individuals whose projects advance scholarship in Persian studies and contribute to greater appreciation of Persian culture. Recipients are recognized as part of the Roshan Institute Fellows network.
Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute Supports UArizona Graduate Students andRelated Funders
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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