The Riley Foundation
The Riley Foundation is a private foundation based in Meridian, Mississippi. Chartered in 1998, it supports charitable and governmental organizations and community-wide projects serving Meridian and Lauderdale County.
The Riley Foundation at a glance
In short: The Riley Foundation gave $3.7M across 20 grants in 2025 (avg $187K), mostly in Mississippi. 10% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,745,213
- -23.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 20
- -13.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $187,261
- -11.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $4,000
- Total assets
- $100,976,890
- +8.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 10% first-time grantees (2 of 20, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Mississippi (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Riley Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The general process begins with a brief letter of inquiry describing the project, its budget, and the amount requested. Organizations must be qualifying public charities or governmental agencies, be located in Lauderdale County and serve its citizens, and be compliant with the IRS and the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Charities Division. The foundation does not support individuals or their projects, private foundations, advertising, sponsorships, or political activities. It ordinarily does not support recurring operating, program, or salary expenses; social or fundraising events; hospitals or nursing homes; religious organizations for religious purposes; daycare centers; endowments; biomedical or clinical research; or organizations whose principal impact is outside Lauderdale County. Applicants may be asked to complete an application after their letter of inquiry is considered. Grant applications are reviewed at quarterly meetings.
- Review Cycle
- For quarterly application reviews, deadlines are November 15 for the January meeting, February 15 for April, May 15 for July, and August 15 for October. If the 15th falls on a weekend, the application is due the following Monday.
- Deadline
- For quarterly application reviews, deadlines are November 15 for the January meeting, February 15 for April, May 15…
- Contact
Application contact: Jan Riley
Mailing address: 4518 Poplar Springs Drive, Meridian, MS 39305
Phone: (601) 481-1430
Email: jan@rileyfoundation.org
Website: https://rileyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Riley Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Ms State University Foundation ($2.9M). Together the top 10 received $3.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
108 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 85 grants of 108 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that its focus is Meridian and Lauderdale County, Mississippi. Its general guidelines require applicant organizations to be located in Lauderdale County and to provide services to its citizens. All 2025 grant dollars were reported as going to recipients in Mississippi.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 20 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Riley Foundation open to new grantees?
10%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 2 of 20 grantees (10%) were first-time recipients. With only 20 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $208K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $4K repeat.
- 85% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−2%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 99% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.0M (2023) to $4.9M (2024). In 2025 it made 20 grants totaling $3.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ms State University Foundation Mississippi State, MS | Program /Summer Intern/Scholarship/P | $2,870,863 |
| Mississippi Children's Museum Meridian, MS | Construction/Exhibits/Summer Intern | $529,000 |
| Ms Arts & Entertainment Meridian, MS | Exhibits/Summer Intern Program | $129,000 |
| Meridian Art Association Meridian, MS | Summer Int PROGRAM,OPERATING,LIBRARY | $64,000 |
| Multi-County Community Service Meridian, MS | Homeless Outreach/Snap Assistance | $60,000 |
| Love Inc Meridian, MS | Operating EXPENSES,SNAP Benefit Susp | $20,000 |
| Free Clinic of Meridian Meridian, MS | Summer Intern PROGRAM,OPERATING | $14,000 |
| Meridian Symphony Association Meridian, MS | Summer INTERN,PROGRAM Concert Series | $12,500 |
| Meridian Naval Air Station Meridian, MS | Wings Over Meridian | $5,000 |
| Boy Scouts of America Meridian, MS | Summer Intern Program | $4,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Riley 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $100,976,890 | $10,377,646 | $2,404,073 | $3,745,213 | 20 | $4,507,963 | $10,108,237 | $4,537,592 |
| 2024 | $93,438,730 | $2,073,903 | $2,252,763 | $4,878,227 | 23 | $5,544,990 | $3,232,798 | $4,265,235 |
| 2023 | $81,956,790 | $5,635,683 | $7,731,400 | $2,957,863 | 23 | $3,576,565 | $9,684,592 | $3,643,912 |
| 2022 | $77,877,509 | $6,202,403 | $5,231,158 | $3,828,043 | 20 | $4,597,137 | $13,207,032 | $3,862,139 |
| 2021 | $106,706,164 | $2,375,468 | $4,859,923 | $3,132,767 | 22 | $4,022,112 | $9,414,242 | $4,531,508 |
| 2020 | $85,324,664 | $-5,964,605 | $2,387,636 | $3,175,569 | 31 | — | $9,835,810 | $4,103,505 |
| 2019 | $77,871,086 | $2,085,936 | $5,651,626 | $3,189,453 | 32 | — | $2,177,173 | $3,520,718 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Riley Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.5M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to make grants to charitable and governmental organizations for charitable purposes and to provide financial resources and assistance for community-wide projects and programs in healthcare, education, and the betterment of cultural, environmental, and economic conditions for people in Meridian and Lauderdale County.
Its 2025 grants included support for a range of organizations. For example, the Meridian Art Association says its mission is to promote and support local and regional art, artists, and art programs. The Free Clinic of Meridian says it provides free medical care for eligible working-poor individuals in its area. The Mississippi Children’s Museum describes its mission as creating experiences that inspire excellence and lifelong joy in learning.
Grantmaking
The foundation reported 20 grants totaling $3,745,213 in 2025. Individual grants ranged from $850 to $2,870,863, with a median grant of $4,000. Its largest 2025 grants included $2,870,863 to MS State University Foundation for a program, summer intern, and scholarship purpose; $529,000 to Mississippi Children’s Museum for construction, exhibits, and a summer intern; and $129,000 to MS Arts & Entertainment for exhibits and a summer intern program.
The foundation also awarded $64,000 to Meridian Art Association, $60,000 to Multi-County Community Service for homeless outreach and SNAP assistance, and $14,000 to Free Clinic of Meridian for a summer intern program and operating expenses.
For its Summer Intern Program, the foundation offers grants to organizations to hire a college student for a specific project. Students must have completed at least one semester of college, and the project must have a clear purpose, objective, and timetable for completion in eight weeks. The program does not cover routine ongoing activities such as secretarial tasks. The organization’s application deadline for this program is January 31 by noon, or the following Monday if that date falls on a weekend.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Marty Davidson as Chairman/CEO and Becky G. Farley as Executive Director. It also lists Lindy R. Deen, Christine Riley, Gail Riley, Manny Mitchell, Richard F. Riley Jr., Wayne Henson, and William W. Simmons as directors, and Malcolm Portera as VP/Secretary.
The Riley Foundation is led by Marty Davidson, Chairman & CEO since 2025 (on filings since 2019); all 11 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Marty Davidson
Chairman & CEO
Chairman Ceotreasurer → Chairman CEO, 2022
Chairman CEO → Chairman & CEO, 2025
On filings since 2019
20 hrs/week
$168K (2019) → $216K (2025)
Becky G. Farley
Executive Director
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$116K (2019) → $159K (2025)
Christine Riley
Director
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
$20K (2019) → $22K (2025)
Gail W. Riley
Director
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
$20K (2019) → $22K (2025)
Manny Mitchell
Director
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
$20K (2019) → $23K (2025)
Richard F. Riley Jr.
Director
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
$20K (2019) → $22K (2025)
Wayne Henson
Director
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
$20K (2019) → $22K (2025)
Lindy R. Deen
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
$22K (2022) → $22K (2025)
William W. Simmons
Director
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
$22K (2025)
Malcolm Portera
Vice President & Secretary
Vice President Secretary → Vpsecretary, 2020
Vpsecretary → Vice President & Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2019
10 hrs/week
$58K (2019) → $105K (2025)
Tommy Dulaney
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2019
10 hrs/week
$21K (2019) → $82K (2025)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Edwin Downer (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Mary A. Riley (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: ROBERT B DEEN Jr. (2019–2021) — President COO
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $216K, to Marty Davidson (Chairman/CEO). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Riley Foundation
How much does The Riley Foundation give each year?
The Riley Foundation gave $3.7M across 20 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $4.9M across 23 grants.
What is The Riley Foundation's typical grant size?
The Riley Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $4,000, and its average grant was $187,261, across 20 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Riley Foundation that year got $5K on average.
Where does The Riley Foundation give grants?
The Riley Foundation gives mostly in Mississippi: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Meridian, MS (18 grants).
Does The Riley Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 20% of The Riley Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 20) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Summer Intern Program" (9 grants).
Who are The Riley Foundation's largest grantees?
The Riley Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Ms State University Foundation ($2,870,863), Mississippi Children's Museum ($529,000) and Ms Arts & Entertainment ($129,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 94% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Riley Foundation?
The Riley Foundation reported $101.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Riley Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to make grants to charitable and governmental organizations for charitable purposes and to provide financial resources and assistance for community-wide projects and programs in healthcare, education, and the betterment of cultural, environmental, and economic conditions for people in Meridian and Lauderdale County. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Riley Foundation?
The general process begins with a brief letter of inquiry describing the project, its budget, and the amount requested. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Riley Foundation's EIN?
The Riley Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 64-0707746. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 9, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 11, 2026)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS April 28, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 4, 2023)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 25, 2024)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Riley Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Riley Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-riley-foundation-morg_6d4fb97c276c419e9fa1a6acab896b70
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_640707746_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Riley Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-riley-foundation-morg_6d4fb97c276c419e9fa1a6acab896b70},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Riley 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.
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