Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute

ORLANDO, FL EIN: 77-0560800 Website

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

-33.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$10K

-96.0% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute reported a distributable amount of $280K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

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

New York $2.5M (81%)

Washington $500K (16%)

California $54K (2%)

Arizona $15K (0%)

Illinois $15K (0%)

Hawaii $10K (0%)

States

Arizona California Hawaii Illinois New York Washington

Cities

ChicagoFresnoHonoluluIrvineNew YorkSeattleTucson

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)

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

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

Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include University of Toronto ($15,500), Iranian Culture and Art Club ($5,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
IRANIAN CULTURE AND ART CLUB FRESNO, CA	GENERAL OPERATING	$5,000
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO	GENERAL OPERATING	$15,500

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 and

University 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 Today

2024

University 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 and

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute fund?

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…

How do I apply for a grant from Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute?

Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute does not accept unsolicited proposals. The foundation currently is not accepting inquiries. **Application Process:** Interested and qualified applicants may submit letters of inquiry for consideration. Letters of inquiry should include: • Summary of academic or nonprofit affiliation • Nature and anticipated results of the proposed program or activity • Amount of support requested • Other major contributors and participants • Description of intended acknowledgm…

Where does Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute make 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

What size grants does Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute award?

In 2025, Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute awarded 2 grants totaling $21K — an average of about $10K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute reported a distributable amount of $280K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute's EIN?

Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0560800. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.